N05035:81
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.
3,6. The Temple that Ezekiel in his Vision was bid to observe the Measures of, as it was measured with a Reed (Ezek.xl.3,4.) we have Reason to think, was the same the Apostle John in his Vision was bid to measure with a Reed, Rev.xi.1. And when it is here foretold, that the uncircumcised in Heart should not enter into the Christian Sanctuary or Church, nor have Communion in the Offerings of God's Bread, of the Fat and Blood, that were made there, I think so much is at least implied, that they should not have Communion in those Ordinances of the Christian Sanctuary, in which that Body and Blood of Christ were symbolically represented, which used of old to be symbolically represented by the Fat and the Blood. For the Admission into the Christian Church here spoken of, is an Admission into the visible, and not the mystical Church; For such an Admission is spoken of as is made by the Officers of the Church. And I suppose, it will not be doubted, but that by Circumcision of Heart is meant the spiritual renewing of the Heart; not any common Virtues, which don't in the least change the Nature, and mortify the Corruption of the Heart; as is held by all orthodox Divines, and as Mr. Stoddard in particular abundantly insisted. However, if any Body disputes it, I desire that the Scripture may be allowed to speak for it self; for it very often speaks of Circumcision of Heart, and this every where, both in the old Testament and New, manifestly signifies that great Change of Heart that was typified by the Ceremony of Circumcision of the Flesh. The same which afterwards was signified by Baptism, viz. Regeneration, or else the Progress of that Work in Sanctification; as we read of the washing of Regeneration, &c. The Apostle tells us what was signified both by Circumcision & Baptism, Col. ii.11, 12; In whom also ye are circumcised with the Circumcision made without Hands, in putting off the Sins of the Flesh by the Circumcision of Christ, buried with him in Baptism; wherein also you are risen with him, through' the Faith of the Operation of God. Where I would observe by the Way, he speaks of all the Members of the Church of Coloss as visibly circumcised with this Circumcision; agreeable to Ezekiel's Prophecy, that the Members of the Christian Church shall visibly have this Circumcision.
3,6. The Temple that Ezekiel in his Vision was bid to observe the Measures of, as it was measured with a Reed (