A Faithful Narrative of the Surprising Work of God in the Conversion of Many Hundred Souls in Northampton, and the Neighboring Towns and Villages of New-Hampshire and New-England [AND] True Grace, Distinguished from the Experience of Devils.

Widely regarded as "one of America's most important and original philosophical theologians," American revivalist preacher Jonathan Edwards' theological work was firmly rooted in Reformed theology. In his major work, The Freedom of the Will, Edwards argued that although humanity possesses free will, they are inherently depraved and bound to sin, and therefore require divine guidance and grace. Regarded as inclining to Arminianism, fellow Protestant clergyman James Dana first came into conflict with Edwards when he was ordained and and made pastor of Congregational Church in Wallingford, Connecticut. Dana published his first Examination of Edwards' The Freedom of the Will anonymously, in his continued Examination, which revealed him as the author of both works, Dana argued against Edwards' "denial of moral, rational liberty; his distinction of natural and moral necessity, [and] attributing the origin of evil to the want or withdraw of divine assistance."