N05035:10
An humble inquiry into the rules of the Word of God, concerning the qualifications…
An humble inquiry into the rules of the Word of God, concerning the qualifications requisite to a complete standing and full communion in the visible Christian church. By Jonathan Edwards, A.M. Pastor of the First Church in Northampton. ; With an appendix by Mr. Foxcroft. ; [Ten lines of quotations]An humble inquiry into the rules of the Word of God, concerning the qualifications requisite to a compleat standing and full communion in the visible Christian church. By Jonathan Edwards, A.M. Pastor of the First Church in Northampton. ; With an appendix by Mr. Foxcroft. ; [Ten lines of quotations]
Boston: : Printed & sold by S. Kneeland in Queenstreet, 1749
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
However, I hope, it will not be taken amiss, that I think as do, merely because I herein differ from him, tho' so much my Superior, and One whose Name & Memory I am under distinguishing Obligations, on every Account, to treat with great Respect and Honour. Especially may I justly expect, that it will not be charged on me as a Crime, that I don't think in every Thing just as he did, since none more than he himself asserted this Scriptural and Protestant Maxim, that we ought to call•• Man on Earth Master, or make the Authority of the greatest and holiest of mere Men the Ground of our Belief of any Doctrine in Religion. Certainly we are not obliged to think any Man infallible, who himself utterly disclaims Infallibility. Very justly Mr.Stoddard observes in his Appeal to the Learned, (Pag. 97.) All protestants agree, that there is no Infallibility at Rome; and I know no Body else pretends to any, since the Apostles Days. And he insists, in his Preface to his Sermon on the same Subject, That it argues no Want of a due Respect in us to our Forefathers, for us to examine their Opinions. Some of his Words in that Preface contain a good Apology for me, and are worthy to be repeated on this Occasion. They are as follows:
However, I hope, it will not be taken amiss, that I think as do, meerly because I herein differ from him, tho' so much my Superiour, and One whose Name & Memory I am under distinguishing Obligations, on every Account, to treat with great Respect and Honour. Especially may I justly expect, that it will not be charged on me as a Crime, that I don't think in every Thing just as he did, since none more than he himself asserted this Scriptural and Protestant Maxim, that we ought to call•• Man on Earth Master, or make the Authority of the greatest and holiest of meer Men the Ground of our Belief of any Doctrine in Religion. Certainly we are not obliged to think any Man infallible, who himself utterly disclaims Infallibility. Very justly Mr.Stoddard observes in his Appeal to the Learned, (Pag. 97.) All protestants agree, that there is no Infallibility at Rome; and I know no Body else pretends to any, since the Apostles Days. And he insists, in his Preface to his Sermon on the same Subject, That it argues no Want of a due Respect in us to our Forefathers, for us to examine their Opinions. Some of his Words in that Preface contain a good Apology for me, and are worthy to be repeated on this Occasion. They are as follows: