N05035:257
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.
That by those who are called, in this Saying of our Saviour, is meant those that have the Gospel offer, and not those who belong to the Society of visible Saints, is evident beyond all Dispute, in Matth. xxii. 14. By the many that are called, are plainly intended the many that are invited to the Wedding. In the foregoing Parable, we have an Account of those ⟨p. 102⟩that from Time to Time were bidden, or CALLED (for the Word is the same in the original ver. 3. And sent •e•th his Servants to CALL them that were CALLED [[Greek or Hebrew]] and they would not come. This has Respect to the Jews, who refused not only savingly to come to Christ, but refused so much as to come into the visible Church of Christ. ver. 4. Again he sent forth other Servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden [or CALLED] Behold, I have prepared my Dinner, &c. Ver. 8 They which were bidden [or CALLED] were not worthy, Ver. 9. Go ye therefore to the high Ways, and as many as ye shall find, […] [or CALL, [Greek or Hebrew]] to the Marriage, or nuptial Banquet; representing the preaching of the Gospel to the Gentiles; who upon it came into the King's House. i. e. the visible Church, and among 'em one that had not a Wedding-Garment, who was bound Hand and Foot, and cast out, when the King came: And then, at the Conclusion, Christ adds this Remark, Ver 14. For many are CALLED or bidden [[Greek or Hebrew]] but few are chosen; which must have Reference, not only to the M•n last mentioned, who came into the Wedding-House, the Christian visible Church, without a Wedding-Garment, but to those also mentioned before, who were called, but would not so much as come into the King's House, or join to the visible Christian Church. To suppose this Saying to have Reference only to that one Man who came without a Wedding Garment (representing one that comes into the visible Church, but is not a true Saint) would be to make the Introduction of this Aphorism, and it's Connection with what went before, very strange and unintelligible; because then it would be as much as to say thus, Multitudes came into the King's House, who were called, and the House was full of Guests; but among them was found one Man who was not chosen; for many are called, but few are chosen.