N05035:237
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.
If it be said, that we must suppose Multitudes in Israel attended the Passover, from Age to Age, without such a Visibility of Piety as I have insisted on; and yet we don't find their attending this Ordinance charged on them as a Sin, in Scripture: I answer, We must also suppose that Multitudes in Israel from Age to Age attended the Passover, who lived in moral Insincerity, yea and scandalous Wickedness. For the People in general very often notoriously corrupted themselves, and declined to Ways of open and great Transgression; and yet there is Reason to think, that in these Times of Corruption, for the most Part, they upheld Circumcision and the Passover; and we don't find their attending on these Ordinances under such Circumstances, any more expressly charged on them as a Sin, than their coming without Piety of Heart. The Ten Tribes continued constantly in Idolatry for about 250 Years; and there is Ground to suppose, that in the mean Time they ordinarily kept up Circumcision and the Passover: For tho' they worshipped God by Images, yet they maintained most of the ceremonial Observances of the Law of Moses, called the Manner of the God of the Land, which their Priests taught the Samaritans, who were settled in their Stead, 2 Kings xvii. 26, 27. Nevertheless we don't find Elijah, Elisha, or other Prophets that were sent among them, reproving them for attending these Ordinances without the required moral Qualifications. Indeed there are some Things in the Writings of the Prophets, which may be interpreted as a Reproof of this; but no more as a Reproof of this, than of attending God's Ordinances, without a gracious Sincerity and true Piety of Heart and Life.
If it be said, that we must suppose Multitudes in Israel attended the Passover, from Age to Age, without such a Visibility of Piety as I have insisted on; and yet we don't find their attending this Ordinance charged on them as a Sin, in Scripture: I answer, We must also suppose that Multitudes in Israel from Age to Age attended the Passover, who lived in moral Insincerity, yea and scandalous Wickedness. For the People in general very often notoriously corrupted themselves, and declined to Ways of open and great Transgression; and yet there is Reason to think, that in these Times of Corruption, for the most Part, they upheld Circumcision and the Passover; and we don't find their attending on these Ordinances under such Circumstances, any more expresly charged on them as a Sin, than their coming without Piety of Heart. The Ten Tribes continued constantly in Idolatry for about 250 Years; and there is Ground to suppose, that in the mean Time they ordinarily kept up Circumcision and the Passover: For tho' they worshipped God by Images, yet they maintained most of the ceremonial Observances of the Law of Moses, called the Manner of the God of the Land, which their Priests taught the Samaritans, who were settled in their Stead,