N05035:280
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.
Thus it is in innumerable Cases in human Life. I shall give one plain Instance: A Man ought not to take upon him the Work of the Ministry, unless called to it in the Providence of God; For a Man has no Right to take this Honour to himself, unless called of God. Now let us suppose a young Man, of a liberal Education and well accomplished, to be at a Loss whether it is the Will of God that he should follow the Work of the Ministry; and he examines himself, and examines his Circumstances, with great Seriousness and solemn Prayer, and well considers and weighs the Appearances in divine Providence: And yet when has done all, he is not come to a proper Certainty, that God calls him to this Work; but however, it looks so to him, according to the best Light he can obtain and the most careful Judgment he can form: now such a one appears obliged in Conscience to give himself to this Work. He must by no Means neglect it under a Notion that he must not take this Honour to himself, 'till he knows he has a Right to it; because, tho' it be indeed a Privilege, yet it is not a Matter of mere Privilege, but a Matter of Duty too; and if he neglects it under these Circumstances, he neglects what according to his own best Judgment, he thinks God requires of him, and calls him to; which is to sin against his Conscience.
Thus it is in innumerable Cases in human Life. I shall give one plain Instance: A Man ought not to take upon him the Work of the Ministry, unless called to it in the Providence of God; For a Man has no Right to take this Honour to himself, unless called of God. Now let us suppose a young Man, of a liberal Education and well accomplish'd, to be at a Loss whether it is the Will of God that he should follow the Work of the Ministry; and he examines himself, and examines his Circumstances, with great Seriousness and solemn Prayer, and well considers and weighs the Appearances in divine Providence: And yet when has done all, he is not come to a proper Certainty, that God calls him to this Work; but however, it looks so to him, according to the best Light he can obtain and the most careful Judgment he can form: now such a one appears obliged in Conscience to give himself to this Work. He must by no Means neglect it under a Notion that he must not take this Honour to himself, 'till he knows he has a Right to it; because, tho' it be indeed a Privilege, yet it is not a Matter of meer Privilege, but a Matter of Duty too; and if he neglects it under these Circumstances, he neglects what according to his own best Judgment, he thinks God requires of him, and calls him to; which is to sin against his Conscience.