N05035:289
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.
but yet surely neither of these Men was qualified for the Christian Sacraments. So that 'tis apparent, there is and ought to be a Distinction made between Duties of Worship, with Respect to Qualifications for them: and that which is a sufficient Qualification for Admission to one Duty, is not so for all. And therefore the Position is not true, which is the Foundation whereon the whole Weight of this Argument rests. To say, that although' it be true there ought to be Distinction made, in Admission to Duties of Worship, with Regard to some Qualifications, yet sanctifying Grace is not one of those Qualifications that make the Difference; would be but a giving up the Argument, and a perfect begging the Question.
but yet surely neither of these Men was qualified for the Christian Sacraments. So that 'tis apparent, there is and ought to be a Distinction made between Duties of Worship, with Respect to Qualifications for them: and that which is a sufficient Qualification for Admission to one Duty, is not so for all. And therefore the Position is not true, which is the Foundation whereon the whole Weight of this Argument rests. To say, that altho' it be true there ought to be Distinction made, in Admission to Duties of Worship, with Regard to some Qualifications, yet sanctifying Grace is not one of those Qualifications that make the Difference; would be but a giving up the Argument, and a perfect begging the Question.
'Tis said, There can be no Reason assigned, why unsanctified Persons may attend other Duties of Worship, and not the Lord's Supper. But I humbly conceive, this must be an Inadvertence. For there is a Reason very obvious from that necessary and very notable Distinction among Duties of Worship, which follows:
1. There are some Duties of Worship, that imply a Profession of God's Covenant: whose very Nature and Design is an Exhibition of those vital