N05035:209
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 3
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.
4. Whatever Ways of constituting the Church may to us seem fit, proper and reasonable, the Question is, not what Constitution of Christ's Church seems convenient to human Wisdom but what Constitution is actually established by CHRIST'S infinite Wisdom. Doubtless, if Men should set their Wits to Work, and proceed according to what seems good in their Sight, they would greatly alter Christ's Constitution of his Church, to make it more convenient and beautiful, and would adorn it with a vast Variety of ingenious Inventions; as the Church of Rome has done. The Question is, whether this School of Christ which they talk of, made up very much of those who pretend to no Experiences or Attainments but what consist with their being Enemies of Christ in their Hearts, and who in Reality love the vilest Lust better than him, be that Church of Christ which in the New-Testament is denominated his City, his Temple, his Family, his Body, &c. by which Names the visible Church of Christ is there frequently called.
I acknowledge, that Means, of Christ's appointment, are to be used with those who are Christ's Enemies, and don't profess themselves any other, to change their Hearts, and bring them to be Christ's Friends and Disciples. Such Means are to be used with all Sorts of Persons, with Jews, Mahometans, Heathens, 'with nominal Christians that are Heretical or Vicious, the Profane, the Intemperate, the Unclean, and all other Enemies of Christ; and these Means to be used constantly, and laboriously. Scandalous Persons need to go to School, to learn to be Christians, as much as other Men. And there are many Persons that are not morally Sincere, who from selfish and sinister Views do consent ordinarily to go to Church, and so be in the Way of the Use of Means. And none ought to forbid 'em thus going to Christ's School, that they may be taught by him, in the Ministry of the Gospel. But yet it will not follow, that such a School is the Church of CHRIST. Human Laws can put Persons, even those who are very Vicious, into the School of Christ, in that Sense; they can oblige 'em constantly to be present at public Teaching, and attend on the Means of Grace appointed by Christ, and dispensed in his Name: But human Laws can't join Men to the Church of Christ, and make them Member of his Body.