N05035:362
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.
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 for the Church of SCOTLAND, I find, they have adopted the Westminster-Confession, Catechisms and Directory, which debar all ignorant and ungodly Persons from the Lord's Table, and require every one to examine himself, not only as to his Knowledge, but also his Faith, Repentance, Love new Obedience &c,—In their Books of Discipline, I observe sundry Passages that appropriate the Sacrament to the truly Penitent and Faithful, as the only proper Subjects. Their National Covenant, renewed from Time to Time, has this Clause; To the which [true Reformed Kirk] we join our selves willingly, in Doctrine, Faith, Religion, Discipline, and Use of the holy Sacraments, as lively Members of the same in Christ our Head, &c. And among the Divines of SCOTLAND, I find many in their Sermons, Sacramental Speeches, and other ⟨p. 4⟩Discourses, declaring themselves strongly on the Negative Part in the Question before us, advising to Strictness in Admissions to the Lord's Supper, renouncing the Opinion of it's being a converting Ordinance, inviting only the sincere Friends of Christ to it, and frequently warning Professors conscious of reigning Sin and Hypocrisy to forbear approaching the Lord's Table. I might bring much to this Purpose from Mr. ANDREW GREY's Book of Sermons published Anno 1716. and his Sermons printed Anno 1746. with a Preface by Mr. WILLISON.—So from Mr. EBENEZER ERSKINE's Synodical Sermon, Anno 1732.—And from Mr. RALPH ERSKINE's Sermon on Isai. xlii. 6. and his Discourse at Fencing the Tables, annexed to his Sermon on Job. xvi. 15.—So from Mr. WILLISON's Synodical Sermon Anno 1733. where he sets down a Variety of searching Questions (no less than 27) which he advises to be put to Proponents, and their Answers to be waited for, before they are admitted.—The anonymous Author of a Defence of National Churches against the Independents (who is reputed to be Mr. WILLISON) asserts it as a Presbyterian Principle, that none have Right before God to the complete Communion of the Church, but such as have Grace; and that none are to be admitted but those who are Saints, at least in Profession; such as profess to accept of the Offers of Christ's Grace &c. And confess themselves to be sincere.—Mr. AYTONE, in his Review against Mr.
As for the Church of SCOTLAND, I find, they have adopted the Westminster-Confession, Catechisms and Directory, which debar all ignorant and ungodly Persons from the Lord's Table, and require every one to examine himself, not only as to his Knowledge, but also his Faith, Repentance, Love new Obedience &c,—In their Books of Discipline, I observe sundry Passages that appropriate the Sacrament to the truly Penitent and Faithful, as the only proper Subjects. Their National Covenant, renew'd from Time to Time, has this Clause; To the which [true Reformed Kirk] we join our selves willingly, in Doctrine, Faith, Religion, Discipline, and Use of the holy Sacraments, as lively Members of the same in Christ our Head, &c. And among the Divines of SCOTLAND, I find many in their Sermons, Sacramental Speeches, and other