N05035:212
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.
ANSW. The Argument proves too much, and therefore nothing at all. If those whom I oppose in this Controversy, bring this Objection, they will in Effect as much oppose Themselves in it, as me. The Objection, if it has any Force, equally militates against their and my Notion of visible Saintship. For those Jews, which it is alleged […] God's People, and yet were so notoriously openly and […] Wicked, had neither any Visibility of true Piety, nor yet of that moral Sincerity in the Profession and Duties of the true Religion, which the Opponents themselves suppose to be requisite in order to a proper visible Holiness, and a due Admission to the Privileges and Ordinances of the Church of God. None will pretend, that these obstinate Idolaters and impious Wretches had those Qualifications which are now requisite in order to an Admission to the Christian Sacraments. And therefore to what Purpose can they bring this Objection? Which, if it proves any Thing, overthrows my Scheme and their own both together, and both in an equally effectual Manner; and not only so, but will thoroughly destroy the Schemes of all Protestants through the World, concerning the Qualifications of the Subjects of Christian Ordinances. And therefore the Support of what I have laid down against those whom I oppose in this Controversy, requires no further Answer to this Objection. Nevertheless, for the greater Satisfaction, I would here observe further:—
ANSW. The Argument proves too much, and therefore nothing at all. If those whom I oppose in this Controversy, bring this Objection, they will in Effect as much oppose Themselves in it, as me. The Objection, if it has any Force, equally militates against their and my Notion of visible Saintship. For those Jews, which it is alledg'd 〈…〉 God's People, and yet were so notoriously openly and 〈…〉 Wicked, had neither any Visibility of true Piety, nor yet of that moral Sincerity in the Profession and Duties of the true Religion, which the Opponents themselves suppose to be requisite in order to a proper visible Holiness, and a due Admission to the Privileges and Ordinances of the Church of God. None will pretend, that these obstinate Idolaters and impious Wretches had those Qualifications which are now requisite in order to an Admission to the Christian Sacraments. And therefore to what Purpose can they bring this Objection? Which, if it proves any Thing, overthrows my Scheme and their own both together, and both in an equally effectual Manner; and not only so, but will thoroughly destroy the Schemes of all Pretestants through the World, concerning the Qualifications of the Subjects of Christian Ordinances. And therefore the Support of what I have laid down against those whom I oppose in this Controversy, requires no further Answer to this Objection. Nevertheless, for the greater Satisfaction, I would here observe further:—