N05035:261
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.
For (1.) The Parable shows plainly, that if any are introduced into the Field of the Householder, or Church of Christ, who prove to be not Wheat (i.e. not true Saints) they are brought in unawares, or contrary to Design; and that they are what don't properly belong there. If Tares are as properly to be sown in the Field, as is the Wheat, which must be the Case if the Lord's Supper be a converting Ordinance; then surely no Care ought to be taken to introduce Wheat only, and no Respect ought to be had more to the Qualities of Wheat in sowing the Field, than the Qualities of Tarer; nor is there any more Impropriety in the Tares having a Place there, than the Wheat: But this surely in altogether inconsistent with the Scope of the Parable.
For (1.) The Parable sh•ws plainly, that if any are introduced into the Field of the Housholder, or Church of Christ, who prove to be not Wheat (i.e. not true Saints) they are bro't in unawares, or contrary to Design; and that they are what don't properly belong there. If Tares are as properly to be sown in the Field, as is the Wheat, which must be the Case if the Lord's Supper be a converting Ordinance; then surely no Care ought to be taken to introduce Wheat only, and no Respect ought to be had more to the Qualities of Wheat in sowing the Field, than the Qualities of Tarer; nor is there any more Impropriety in the Tares having a Place there, than the Wheat: But this surely in altogether inconsistent with the Scope of the Parable.
(2.) This Parable plainly shows, that those who are in the visible Church, have all of them at first a Visibility, or Appearance to humane Sight, of true Grace, or of the Nature of true Saints. For it's observed, Tares have this Property, that when they first appear, and 'till the Products of the Field arrive to some Maturity, they have such a Resemblance of Wheat, that it is […] to impossible to distinguish them.
(2.) This Parable plainly shews, that those who are in the visible Church, have all of them at first a Visibility, or Appearance to humane Sight, of true Grace, or of the Nature of true Saints. For it's observ'd, Tares have this Property, that when they first appear, and 'till the Products of the Field arrive to some Maturity, they have such a Resemblance of Wheat, that it is to impossible to distinguish them.