N05035:382
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.
And for the Church of Scotland, Mr. ANDERSON, who well understood their Principles and Practice, assures us (in his Defence of them) that Presbyterians will not baptise without a previous Profession or Sponsion. To ⟨p. 13⟩the Adult (says he) it is not only necessary (as it is also in Infants) that they be internally sanctified, but also that they make an outward Profession, of which Baptism is the Badge and Token. To justify this, he observes concerning the Catechumens in primitive Times, that during all that State they were Probationers, not only as to their Knowledge, but Piety; and were obliged, before they could be admitted to Baptism, to give moral Evidences of the Grace of God in their Hearts. And he advances it as a Presbyterian Principle, that Faith and Repentance are pre required to Baptism, in adult Persons at least. By this he points out the true Matter of baptismal Profession: And then in Opposition to such as pretend Baptism to be a converting Ordinance, he observes, If they can have Faith and Repentance without the Spirit and spiritual Regeneration, which they say is not obtained but in and by Baptism, I don't see why they mayn't go to Heaven without the Spirit and spiritual Regeneration: For I am sure, Repentance toward God and Faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ, is the Sum of the Gospel.—Mr. WARDEN, another of their noted Writers (in his Essay on Baptism) says in the Name of Presbyterians, We think that Baptism supposeth Men Christians; else they have no Right to Baptism, the Seal of Christianity; all Seals, in their Nature, supposing the Thing that is sealed. He that is of Adult Age, is to profess his Faith in Christ and his Compliance with the whole Device of Salvation, before he can have the Seal of the Covenant administered to him.—The Author of the Defence of National Churches (thought to be Mr. WILLISON) says, I know nothing more, requisite to Admission to the Lord's Supper in foro Ecclesiastice, than unto Baptism in an adult Person; they being both Seals of the same Covenant. And he thinks the Objects of Church Fellowship are "all who profess to accept the Offers of Christ's Grace, with Subjection to his Ordinances, and a suitable Walk, and who confess themselves sincere.
And for the Church of Scotland, Mr. ANDERSON, who well understood their Principles and Practice, assures us (in his Defence of them) that Presbyterians will not baptise without a previous Profession or Sponsion. To ⟨p. 13⟩