N05035:282
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.
OBJECT. X. The natural Consequence of the Doctrine which has been maintained, is the bringing Multitudes of Persons of a tender Conscience and true Piety into great Perplexities; who being at a Loss about the State of their Souls, must needs be as much in Suspense about their Duty: And 'tis not reasonable, to suppose, that God would order Things so in the Revelations of his Will, as to bring his own People into such Perplexities.
OBJECT. X. The natural Consequence of the Doctrine which has been maintain'd, is the bringing Multitudes of Persons of a tender Conscience and true Piety into great Perplexities; who being at a Loss about the State of their Souls, must needs be as much in Suspence about their Duty: And 'tis not reasonable, to suppose, that God would order Things so in the Revelations of his Will, as to bring his own People into such Perplexities.
ANSW. 1. It is for Want of the like Tenderness of Conscience which the Godly have, that the other Doctrine which insists on moral Sincerity, don't naturally bring those who are received to Communion on those Principles, into the same Perplexities, through their doubting of their moral Sincerity, of their believing Mysteries with all their Heart, &c. as has been already observed. And a being free from Perplexity, only through' Stupidity and Hardness of Heart, is worse than being in the greatest Perplexity through Tenderness of Conscience.
ANSW. 1. It is for Want of the like Tenderness of Conscience which the Godly have, that the other Doctrine which insists on moral Sincerity, don't naturally bring those who are received to Communion on those Principles, into the same Perplexities, through their doubting of their moral Sincerity, of their believing Mysteries with all their Heart, &c. as has been already observed. And a being free from Perplexity, only thro' Stupidity and Hardness of Heart, is worse than being in the greatest Perplexity through Tenderness of Conscience.