N05035:183
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.
(7.) It is a clear Evidence, not only that it happened the greater Part of the Members of the primitive Churches were to Appearance true Christians; but that they were taken in under that Notion, and because there appeared in them Grounds of such an Estimation of them; and when any happened to be admitted that were otherwise, it was beside their Aim; In as much as when others were admitted, they are represented as brought or crept in unawares. Thus the Matter is represented by the Apostles. Jude v. 4. There are certain Men crept in unawares,—ungodly Men, turning the Grace of God into Lasciviousness. Gal. ii. 4. False Brethren, unawares bre't in. If it be said, these here spoken of were openly scandalous Persons and Heretics: I answer, they were not openly scandalous when they were first brought in; nor is there any Reason to think they were Heretics when admitted, tho' afterwards they turned Apostates. Mr. Stoddard says, it don't follow that all Hypocrites crept in unawares because some did. (Appeal, P. 17.) To which I would humbly say, it must be certainly true with Respect to all Hypocrites who were admitted, either that the Church which admitted them was aware they were such, or else was not. If there were some [of whom the ] Church was aware, that they were Hypocrites, at the Time when they were taken in, then the Church in admitting them did not follow the Rule that Mr. Stoddard often declares himself to suppose ought to be followed in admitting Members, viz. to admit none but what in a Judgment of rational Charity are true Christians. (Appeal P. 2, 3, 10, 28, 33, 67, 73, 93, 94,) But that not only Heretics and designing Dissemblers crept in unawares, but that all false Brethren, all Church-Members not truly gracious, did so, appears by such being represented as Bastards in a Family, who are false Children and false Heirs, brought into it unawares, and imposed upon the Disposers of ⟨p. 71⟩those Privileges by Stealth. Heb. xii. 8. If, ye are without Chastisement, whereof all are Partakers, then are ye Bastards, and not Sons.
(7.) It is a clear Evidence, not only that it happen'd the greater Part of the Members of the primitive Churches were to Appearance true Christians; but that they were taken in under that Notion, and because there appeared in them Grounds of such an Estimation of them; and when any happen'd to be admitted that were otherwise, it was beside their Aim; In as much as when others were admitted, they are represented as bro't or crept in unawares. Thus the Matter is represented by the Apostles.