Edwardseanism

I'm also reading about David Brainerd in preparation for papers I have agreed to give next month. I found this interesting paragraph on p 95 of John Thornbury's biography.

On 20 February (1743) he recorded in his diary a conviction which not only typified his own outlook on the nature of true religion, but also reflected a particular slant on Puritanism that was beginning to grow in the minds of Edwards and some of his followers. He mentions preaching in the afternoon, at which time he ‘was able to speak closely against selfish religion; that loves Christ for his benefits, but not for himself. At the heart of Edwards’ theology was the persuasion that God, or the Supreme Being, as he was wont to be called, should be loved for his inherent loveliness of beauty. Indeed this is the distinguishing mark of true godliness. Everything else can be counterfeited. Even natural or unsaved people can have a sort of fondness for God as long as they think he is benefiting them. But only a genuinely regenerated person can have a deep and profound appreciation of God’s inherent glory. Brainerd, Bellamy, Hopkins and many others built on this concept and made it a fundamental part of their evangelistic ministries. ‘Selfish religion,’ that is, a piety rooted in a persuasion of God’s favour towards oneself, is suspect.