N05035:52
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.
As real Saints are the same with real Converts, or really gracious Persons, so visible Saints are the same with visible Converts, or those that are visibly converted and gracious Persons. Visibility is the same with Manifestation or Appearance to our View and Apprehension. And therefore to be visibly a gracious Person, is the same Thing as to be a truly gracious Person to our View, Apprehension or Esteem. The Distinction of real and visible don't only take Place with Regard to Saintship or Holiness, but with Regard to innumerable other Things. There is visible and real Truth, visible & real Honesty, visible & real Money, visible & real Gold, visible & real Diamonds &c.&c. Visible & Real are Words that stand related one to another, as the Words real & seeming, or true and apparent. Some seem to speak of Visibility with Regard to Saintship or Holiness, as tho' it had no Reference to the Reality, or as tho' it were a distinct Reality by itself, as tho' by visible Saints were not meant those who to Appearance are real Saints or Disciples indeed, but properly a distant Sort of Saints, which is an Absurdity. There is a Distinction between real Money and ⟨p. 10⟩visible Money, because all that is esteemed Money and passes for Money is not real Money, but some is false and counterfeit. But yet by visible Money, is not meant that which is taken and passes for a different Sort of Money from true Money, but thereby is meant that which is esteemed and taken as real Money, or which has that Appearance that recommends to Mens Judgment and Acceptance as true Money; tho' Men may be deceived, and some of it may finally prove not to be so.
As real Saints are the same with real Converts, or really gracious Persons, so visible Saints are the same with visible Converts, or those that are visibly converted and gracious Persons. Visibility is the same with Manifestation or Appearance to our View and Apprehension. And therefore to be visibly a gracious Person, is the same Thing as to be a truly gracious Person to our View, Apprehension or Esteem. The Distinction of real and visible don't only take Place with Regard to Saintship or Holiness, but with Regard to innumerable other Things. There is visible and real Truth, visible & real Honesty, visible & real Money, visible & real Gold, visible & real Diamonds &c.&c. Visible & Real are Words that stand related one to another, as the Words real & seeming, or true and apparent. Some seem to speak of Visibility with Regard to Saintship or Holiness, as tho' it had no Reference to the Reality, or as tho' it were a distinct Reality by itself, as tho' by visible Saints were not meant those who to Appearance are real Saints or Disciples indeed, but properly a distant Sort of Saints, which is an Absurdity. There is a Distinction between real Money and