N05035:283
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.
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.
ANSW. 2. Supposing the Doctrine which I have maintained, be indeed the Doctrine of God's Word, yet it will not follow, that the Perplexities true Saints are in through doubting of their State, are Effects owing to the Revelations of God's Word. Perplexity and Distress of Mind, not only on Occasion of the Lord's Supper, but innumerable other Occasions, is the natural and unavoidable Consequence of true Christians doubting of their State. But shall we therefore say, that all these Perplexities are owing to the Word of God? No, 'tis not owing to God, nor to any of his Revelations, that true Saints ever doubt of their State; his Revelations are plain and clear, and his Rules sufficient for Men to determine their own Condition by: But, for the most Part, 'tis owing to their own Sloth, and giving Way to their sinful Dispositions. Must God's Institutions and Revelations be answerable for all the Perplexities Men bring on themselves, through their own Negligence and Unwatchfulness? 'Tis wisely ordered it should be so, that the Saints should escape Perplexity in no other Way than that of great Strictness, Diligence, and maintaining the lively, laborious and self-denying Exercises of Religion.