An humble inquiry into the rules of the Word of God, concerning the qualifications…

1. It tends to the Reproach and Ruin of the Christian Church. For by the Rule which God hath given for Admissions, if it be carefully attended ('tis said) MORE Unconverted, than Converted Persons, will be admitted. It is then confessedly the Way to have the greater Part of the Members of the Christian Church ungodly Men; yea, so much greater, that the godly shall be but few in Comparison of the Ungodly; agreeable to their Interpretation of that Saying of Christ, Many are called, but few are chosen. Now, if this be an exact State of the Case, it will demonstrably follow, on Scripture Principles, that the opening the Door so wide has a direct Tendency to bring Things to that Pass, that the jar bigger Part of the Members of Christian Churches shall not be Persons of so much as a serious conscientious Character, but such as are without even moral Sincerity, and don't make Religion at all their Business, neglecting and casting off secret Prayer and other Duties, and living a Life of Carnality and Vanity, so far as they can, consistently with avoiding Church-Censures; which possibly may be sometimes to a great Degree. Ungodly Men may be morally sober, serious and conscientious, and may have what is called moral Sincerity, for a while; may have these Things in a considerable Measure, when they first come into the Church: But if their Hearts are not changed, there is no Probability at all of these Things continuing ⟨p. 122⟩long. The Scripture has told us, that this their Goodness is apt to vanish like the Morning Cloud and Early Dew. How can it be expected but that the Religion should in a little Time wither away, which has no Root? How can it be expected, that the Lamp should burn long, without Oil in the Vessel to seed it? If Lust be unmortified, and left in reigning Power in the Heart, it will sooner or later prevail; and at Length sweep away common Grace and moral Sincerity, however excited and maintained for a while by Conviction and temporary Affections. It will happen to them according to the true Proverb, The Dog it returned to his Vomit; and the Swine that was wished, to his wallowing in the Mire It's said of the Hypocrite, Will be delight himself in the Almighty? Will be always call upon God?—And thus our Churches will be likely to be such Congregations as the Psalmist said he hated, and would not sit with. Psal. xxvi. 4, 5.

1. It tends to the Reproach and Ruin of the Christian Church. For by the Rule which God hath given for Admissions, if it be carefully attended ('tis said) MORE Unconverted, than Converted Persons, will be admitted. It is then confessedly the Way to have the greater Part of the Members of the Christian Church ungodly Men; yea, so much greater, that the godly shall be but few in Comparison of the Ungodly; agreeable to their Interpretation of that Saying of Christ, Many are called, but few are chosen. Now, if this be an exact State of the Case, it will demonstrably follow, on Scripture Principles, that the opening the Door so wide has a direct Tendency to bring Things to that Pass, that the jar bigger Part of the Members of Christian Churches shall not be Persons of so much as a serious consciencious Character, but such as are without even moral Sincerity, and don't make Religion at all their Business, neglecting and casting off secret Prayer and other Duties, and living a Life of Carnality and Vanity, so far as they can, consistently with avoiding Church-Censures; which possibly may be sometimes to a great Degree. Ungodly Men may be morally sober, serious and consciencious, and may have what is called moral Sincerity, for a while; may have these Things in a considerable Measure, when they first come into the Church: But if their Hearts are not changed, there is no Probability at all of these Things continuing