N05035:315
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.
And now is it not better, to have a few real living Christians kept back through' Darkness and Scruples, than to open a Door for the letting in such universal Ruin as this? To illustrate it by a familiar Comparison; Is it not better, when England is at War with France, to keep out of the British Realm a few loyal Englishmen, than to give Leave for as many treacherous Frenchmen to come in as please?
And now is it not better, to have a few real living Christians kept back thro' Darkness and Scruples, than to open a Door for the letting in such universal Ruin as this? To illustrate it by a familiar Comparison; Is it not better, when England is at War with France, to keep out of the British Realm a few loyal Englishmen, than to give Leave for as many treacherous Frenchmen to come in as please?
2. This Way tends to the eternal Ruin of the Parties admitted: For it lets in such yea it persuades such to come in, as know themselves to be impenitent and unbelieving, in a dreadful Manner to to take God's Name in vain; in vain to worship him, and abuse sacred Things, by solemnly performing those external Acts and Rites in the Name of God, which are instituted for declarative Signs and Professions of Repentance toward God, Faith in Christ, and Love to Him, at the same Time that they know themselves destitute of those Things which they profess to have. And is it not better, that some true Saints, through' their own Weakness and Misunderstanding, should be kept away from the Lord's Table, which will not keep such out of Heaven; than voluntarily to bring in Multitudes of false Professors to partake unworthily, and in Effect to seal their own Condemnation?
2. This Way tends to the eternal Ruin of the Parties admitted: For it lets in such yea it perswades such to come in, as know themselves to be impenitent and unbelieving, in a dreadful Manner to to take God's Name in vain; in vain to worship him, and abuse sacred Things, by solemnly performing those external Acts and Rites in the Name of God, which are instituted for declarative Signs and Professions of Repentance toward God, Faith in Christ, and Love to Him, at the same Time that they know themselves destitute of those Things which they profess to have. And is it not better, that some true Saints, thro' their own Weakness and Misunderstanding, should be kept away from the Lord's Table, which will not keep such out of Heaven; than voluntarily to bring in Multitudes of false Professors to partake unworthily, and in Effect to seal their own Condemnation?