N05035:215
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.
And with Regard to the People of Israel, 'tis very manifest, that something diverse is oftentimes intended by that Nation's being God's People, from their being visible Saints, or visibly Holy, 'or having those Qualifications which are requisite in order to a due Admission to the ecclesiastical Privileges of such. That Nation, that Family of Israel according to the Flesh, and with Regard to that external and carnal Qualification, were in some Sense adopted by God to be his peculiar People, and his Covenant People. This is not only evident by what has been already observed, but also indisputably manifest from Rom. ix. 3, 4, 5. I have great Heaviness and continual Sorrow of Heart; for I could wish that my self were accursed from Christ for my Brethren, my Kinsmen ACCORDING TO THE FLESH, who are Israelites, to whom pertaineth the ADOPTION, and the Glory, and the COVENANTS, and the giving of the Law, and the Service of God, and the PROMISES; whose are the Fathers; and of whom, concerning the Flesh, Christ came. 'Tis to be noted, that the Privileges here mentioned are spoken of as belonging to the Jews, not now as visible Saints, not as Professors of the true Religion, not as Members of the visible Church of Christ; but only as People of such a Nation, such a Blood, such an external and carnal Relation to the Patriarchs their Ancestors, Israelites ACCORDING ⟨p. 86⟩TO THE FLESH. For the Apostle is speaking here of the unbelieving Jews, professed Unbelievers, that were out of the Christian Church, and open visible Enemies to it, and such as had no Right to the external Privileges of Christ's People. So in Rom. xi. 28, 29. this Apostle speaks of the same unbelieving Jews, as in some Respect an elect People, and interested in the Calling, Promises and Covenants God formerly gave to their Fore-fathers, and as still beloved for their sakes. As concerning the Gospel, they are Enemies for your Sake; but as touching the Election, they are beloved for the Fathers sakes: For the Gifts and Calling of God are without Repentance. These Things are in these Places spoken of, not as Privileges belonging to the Jews now as a People of the right Religion, or in the true Church of visible Worshippers of God; but as a People of such a Pedigree or Blood; and that even after the ceasing of the Mosaic Administration.