N05035:340
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.
As to the two last Arguments in the Appeal to the Learned, concerning the Subjects of the Christian Sacraments, their being Members of the visible Church, and not the invisible; the Force of those Arguments depends entirely on the Resolution of that Question, Who are visible Saints? or what adult Persons are regularly admitted to the Privileges of Members of the visible Church? which Question has already been largely considered: and I think, it has been demonstrated that they are those who exhibit a credible Profession and Visibility of Gospel-Holiness or vital Pretty, and not merely of moral Sincerity. So that there is no Need of further debating the Point in this Place.
As to the two last Arguments in the Appeal to the Learned, concerning the Subjects of the Christian Sacraments, their being Members of the visible Church, and not the invisible; the Force of those Arguments depends entirely on the Resolution of that Question, Who are visible Saints? or what adult Persons are regularly admitted to the Privileges of Members of the visible Church? which Question has already been largely considered: and I think, it has been demonstrated that they are those who exhibit a credible Profession and Visibility of Gospel-Holiness or vital Prety, and not meerly of moral Sincerity. So that there is no Need of further debating the Point in this Place.
I might here mention many Things not yet taken Notice of, which some object as Inconveniences attending the Scheme I have maintained: And if Men should set up their own Wit and Wisdom in Opposition to God's revealed Will, there is no End of the Objections of this Kind, which might be raised against any of God's Institutions. Some have found great Fault even with the Creation of the World, as being very inconveniently done, and have imagined that they could tell how it might be mended in a great many Respects. But however God's Altar may appear homely to us, yet if we lift up our Tool upon it to mend it, we shall pollute it. Laws & Institutions are given for the general Good, and not to avoid every particular Inconvenience. And however it may so happen, that sometimes Inconveniences (real to imaginary) may attend the Scheme I have maintained; yet I think, they are in no Measure equal to the manifest Conveniences and happy Tendencies of it, or to the palpable Inconveniences and pernicious Consequences of the other.—I have already mentioned some Things of this Aspect, and would here briefly observe some other.