N05035:48
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 2
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.
HAVING thus explained what I mean, when I say, That none ought to be admitted to the Communion and Privileges of Members of the visible Church of Christ in complete Standing, but such as are in Profession and in the Eye of the Church's Christian Judgment godly or gracious Persons: I now proceed to observe some Things which may tend to evince the Truth of this Position. And here,
HAVING thus explain'd what I mean, when I say, That none ought to be admitted to the Communion and Privileges of Members of the visible Church of Christ in compleat Standing, but such as are in Profession and in the Eye of the Church's Christian Judgment godly or gracious Persons: I now proceed to observe some Things which may tend to evince the Truth of this Position. And here,
1. I begin with observing, I think it is both evident by the Word of God, and also granted on all Hands, that none ought to be admitted as Members of the visible Church of Christ but visible Saints and professing Saints, or visible and professing Christians.—We find the Word Saint, when applied to Men, used two Ways in the New-Testament: The Word in some Places is so used as to mean those that are real Saints, who are converted, and are truly gracious Persons; as I Cor. vi. 2.Do ye not know that the Saints shall judge the World? Eph. i. 18.—The Riches of the Glory of his Inheritance in the Saints. Chap. iii. 17, 18. That Christ may dwell in your Hearts by Faith, that ye being rooted and grounded in Love, may be able to comprehend with all Saints, what is the Breadth &c. 2 Thess. i. 10. When he shall come to be glorified in his Saints, and admired in all them that believe. So Rev v.8.Chap. viii.4.&xi. 18.&xiii.10. &xiv.12. &xix.8. In other Places the Word is used so as to have Respect not only to real Saints, but to such as were Saints in Visibility, Appearance, and Profession; and so were outwardly, as to what concerns their Acceptance among Men and their outward Treatment and Privileges, of the Company of Saints: So the Word is used in very many Places, which it is needless to mention, as every one acknowledges it.