Sewall, Joseph. God's People must Enquire of Him to bestow the Blessings Promised in His Word. A Sermon Preach'd February 26, 1741,2. On a Day of Prayer Observed by the South Church and Congregation in Boston, to seek of GOD the more Plentiful Effusion of His HOLY SPIRIT upon them and his People. Boston. Printed by D. Fowle for D. Henchman in Cornhill., 1742. 30pp.

An exceptionally rare Great Awakening sermon in gratitude for the revival, offering prayer for its continuance, and offering a  defense of some of the physical manifestations that accompanied it.In good, crisp condition overall; closed 1 3/4" tear bottom first 2 leaves, marginal chip with loss at long margin of the title page. Lacks the half title. The text of the sermon is complete, with the title page. Good.

Roberts 4842: "A sermon that could well serve as the model of a sermon every evangelical pastor in the world should preach before his congregation."

Joseph Sewall (1688-1769), b. & d. at Boston, New-England. Sewall graduated at Harvard College in 1707, and was associated with the College all of his days; he rejected the presidency of the same offered to him in 1724, and accepted a fellowship in 1728. In 1713 he was ordained colleague pastor of the Old South Church in Boston, where he ministered for the rest of his life. He was a member of the commission appointed for the propagation of the Gospel in New England, and corresponding member of the Scottish Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.

Sewall was instrumental in the Great Awakening that took place in New England following the tour of George Whitefield, and a revival took place in his congregation. This sermon is an example of his preaching at that time, and refers to the awakening. "We are assembled...to bless his Name for spiritual Blessings already received in the remarkable Revival of his Work among us, and in many other Towns...As for the Out-cries, Tremblings, and Faintings which have been experienced in some Places, I apprehend the Cause must be judged by the Effect. We may not limit the Holy One...And if it shall please God to impress such a Sense of Sin, and of his Wrath on Men, that they are forced to cry out under it; they are to be pitied, and proper Means used for their Relief; and not to be censured as man and out-ragious."

The last auction appearance of this item was in 1970.