The quotes below come from Boston Revival 1842 published in 1980 by Richard Owen Roberts.
“Mr. Whitefield’s preaching was blessed to multitudes in Boston, as well as in other parts of the land. After Mr. Whitefield’s departure, Mr. Gilbert Tennent came and watered what he had planted. Dr. Prince has given us a particular account of this revival: “And now,” says he, “there was such a time as we never knew. The Rev. Mr. Cooper was wont to say, that more came to him in one week, in deep concern about their souls, than in the whole twenty-four years of his preceding ministry. I can also say the same as to the numbers that repaired to me. By Mr. Cooper’s letters to Scotland, it appears he has had about 600 different persons in three months’ time; and Mr. Webb informs me that he has had in the same space, above 1,000… those who had been in full communion, and going on in a course of religion many years. And their cases represented, were a blind mind, a vile, and a hard heart; and some under a deep sense thereof; some under great temptations; some in great concern for their souls; some in great distress of mind for fear of being unconverted; others for fear they had been all along building on a righteousness of their own, and were still in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity. Some under flighty, and others under strong convictions of their sins and sinfulness, guilt and condemnation, the wrath and curse of God upon them, their impotence and misery; some for a long time, even several months, under those convictions; some fearing lest the Holy Spirit should withdraw’ others having quenched his operations, were in great distress, lest he should leave them forever; persons far advanced in years, afraid of being left behind, whole others were hastening to their great Redeemer. Nor were the same persons satisfied with coming once or twice as formerly, but again and again, I know not how often, complaining of their evil and cursed hearts.”
The above words show the Spirit’s work during true revival. Jesus said when the Spirit comes (He has) He will convict the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment (Jn 16:8). This work of the Spirit is part of true revival. The men who heard Peter preach on the day of Pentecost when the Spirit was sent were pierced with conviction of their sin. When the Holy Spirit begins to work in the souls of men and women He works a deep conviction of sin in their souls. As Thomas Watson said many years ago, “Until sin becomes bitter, Christ will not be sweet.”
During the time of true revival entertainment in churches is like biting into gravel. When there is conviction of the Spirit and concern for everlasting souls, all of that is nonsense. Some thought to be converted who practiced religion for years became acutely aware of their sin and lost condition. The Spirit opened their blind eyes to their wicked and vile hearts and convicted of them of their lack of true righteousness. The Spirit opened their eyes to judgment and they felt the wrath and curse of God upon them. The writer tells us that people were in these states of conviction for a long time, and even for several months. How different this account is than the modern religious practices when we simply ask people if they are sinners and if they believe certain thing about Christ. When the Spirit is working in revival awakened people are not satisfied with anything but the work of God in their souls.
This should teach us to pray and what to pray. We should pray that the Lord would convict us, the world, churches that are full of the world, and other souls of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. Our own souls are too full of misery and our own hearts are too hard because of hidden sin. Perhaps many ministers and church members have never had the work of the Spirit in their souls opening them up to a sight of their own heart and bringing the sword of deep conviction. But in true revival this happens. Let us pray for the Spirit’s work of conviction and plead with God to send His Spirit and start this work of deep conviction. Before and during revival there must be a time of deep and painful conviction. If we truly desire true revival then we will not stop at the inner agony as the Lord opens our hearts to the depths of its sin. We do want revival, right? Are we ready to undergo the searching work of the Spirit? We do want true revival, right? Are we ready to repent of all our beloved sins? We do want revival, right? Will we pray with desire for the Spirit to do these things in us? Are we ready to go for months in deep conviction? Do we really want the revival sent by God with His methods? Many of Christ’s followers fell away at hard words. We must know that praying for true revival will cost us our whole hearts. Do we really desire revival?
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