N05035:317
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. XVI. You can't keep out Hypocrites, when all is said and done; but as many graceless Persons will be likely to get into the Church in the Way of a Profession of Godliness, as if nothing were insisted on but a Freedom from public Scandal.
OBJECT. XVI. You can't keep out Hypocrites, when all is said and done; but as many graceless Persons will be likely to get into the Church in the Way of a Profession of Godliness, as if nothing were insisted on but a Freedom from publick Scandal.
ANSW. It may possibly be so in some Places, through' the Misconduct of Ministers and People, by Remissness in their Inquiries, Carelessness as to the proper Matter of a Profession, or setting up some mistaken Rules of Judgment; neglecting those Things which the Scripture insists upon as the most essential Articles in the Character of a real Saint; and substituting others in the Room of them; such as Impressions on the Imagination, instead of renewing Influences on the Heart; Pangs of Affection, instead of the habitual Temper of the Mind; a certain Method & Order of Impressions and Suggestions, instead of the Nature of Things experienced &c. But to say, that in Churches where the Nature, the Notes and Evidences of true Christianity, as described in the Scriptures, are well understood, taught and observed, there as many Hypocrites are likely to get in; or to suppose, that there as many of those Persons of an honest Character, who are well instructed in these Rules, and well conducted by them, and judging of themselves by these Rules, do think themselves true Saints, and accordingly make Profession of Godliness, and are admitted as Saints in a Judgment of rational Charity; (to suppose, I say) as many of these are likely to be carnal unconverted Men, as of those who make no such Pretence and have no such Hope, not exhibit any such ⟨p. 124⟩Evidences to the Eye of a judicious Charity, is not so much an Objection against the Doctrine I am defending, as a Reflection upon the Scripture itself, with Regard to the Rules it gives, either for Persons to judge of their own State, or for others to form a charitable Judgment by, as if they were of little or no Service at all. We are in miserable Circumstances indeed, if the Rules of God's holy Word in Things of such infinite Importance, are so ambiguous and uncertain, like the heathen Oracles.