N05035:172
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.
But it will appear, this cannot be a Satisfactory nor true Account of the Matter, if we consider the following Things.
(1.) The Apostles in the very Superscription or Direction of their Letters to these Churches, and in their Salutations at the Beginning of their Epistles, Speak of them as gracious Persons. For Instance, The Apostle Peter in the Direction of his first Letter to all professing Jewish Christians through many Countries, says thus, To the strangers scattered through Pontus &c. Elect, according to the Foreknowledge of God the Father, through Sanctification of the Spirit unto Obedience, and sprinkling of the Blood of Jesus Christ. And in directing his 2d Epistle to the same Persons, he says thus, Simon Peter a Servant and an Apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious Faith with us, &c. And the Apostle 'Paul directs his Epistle to the Romans thus, To them that be at Rome, beloved of God. So he directs his first Epistle to the Corinthians thus, Unto the Church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are Sanctified in Christ Jesus. In what Sense he means Sanctified, his following Words show, ver. 4, 7, 8, 9. The same was before observed of Words annexed to the Apostle's Salutations in the Beginning of several of the Epistles. This shows, that the Apostles extend this Character as far as they do the Epistles themselves. Which surely would be very improper, and not agreeable to Truth, if the Apostles at the same Time knew very well that such a Character did not belong to Members of Churches, as such, and that they were not received into those Churches with any Regard to such Character, or upon ⟨p. 67⟩the Account of any Right they had to be esteemed such Manner of Persons. In the Superscription of Letters to Societies of Men, we are wont to give 'em that Title or Denomination which properly belongs to 'em as Members of such a Body. Thus, if one should write to the Royal Society in London, or the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris, it would be proper and natural to give 'em the Title of Learned; for whether every one of the Members truly deserve the Epithet, or not, yet the Title is agreeable to their Profession, & what is known to be aimed at & is professedly insisted on in the Admission of Members. But if one should write to the House of Commons, or to the East-India-Company, and in his Superscription give 'em the Title of Learned, this would be very improper and ill judged;