N05035:143
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.
An Inquiry into the Qualifications for full Communion in the visibl… › Part 2
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.
Mr. Stoddard says, "This Person that had not a Wedding-Garment, was a Reprobate; but every one that partakes of the Lord's Supper without Grace is not a Reprobate." I answer, all that will be found in the King's House without Grace when the King comes in to see the Guests, are doubtless Reprobates.
If it be questioned, whether by the Wedding-Garment be meant true Piety, or whether hereby is not intended moral Sincerity, let the Scripture interpret it self; which elsewhere tells us plainly what the Wedding-Garment is at the Marriage of the Son of God: Rev.xix. 7, 8. The Marriage of the Lamb is come, and his Wife hath made her self ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine Linen, clean and white; for the fine Linen is the Righteousness of Saints. None, I suppose, will say, this Righteousness that is so pure, is the common Grace of lukewarm Professors, and those that go about to serve God and Mammon. The same, Wedding-Garment we have Account of in Psal. xlv. 13, 14. The King's Daughter is all glorious within, her Clothing is of wrought Gold: she shall be brought in unto the King in Raiment of Needle work. But we need go no where else but to the Parable it self; that alone determines the Matter. The Wedding-Garment spoken of as that without which Professors win be excluded from among God's People at the Day of Judgment, is not moral Sincerity, or common Grace, but special saving Grace. If common Grace were the Wedding-Garment intended, not only would the King cast out those that he found without a Wedding-Garment, but also many with a Wedding-Garment: for all such as shall be found then with no better Garment than moral Sincerity, will be bound Hand and Foot, and cast into outer Darkness; such a Wedding-Garment as this will not save 'em. So that true Piety, unfeigned Faith, or the Righteousness of Christ which is upon every one that believeth, is doubtless the Wedding-Garment intended. But if a Person has good and proper Ground to proceed on in coming into the King's House, that knows he is without this Wedding-Garment, why should the King upbraid him, saying, How camest thou in hither, not having a Wedding-Garment? And why should he be Speechless, when asked such a Question? Would he not have had a good Answer to make? viz. "Thou thy self hast given me Leave to come in hither, without a Wedding-Garment." Or this, "Thy