It being, at the same Time that the Words are used, their known and established Principle, which they openly profess and proceed upon, ⟨p. iv⟩that Men may and ought to use these Words, and mean no such Thing, but something else of a Nature far inferior; which I think they have no distinct determinate Notion of; but something consistent with their knowing that they don't choose God as their chief Good, but love the World more than Him, and that they do not give themselves up entirely to God, but make Reserves; and in short, knowing that they don't heartily consent to the Gospel-Covenant, but live still under the reigning Power of the Love of the World, and Enmity to God and Christ. So that the Words of their public Profession, according to their openly established Use, cease to be of the Nature of any Profession of Gospel-Faith and Repentance, or any proper Compliance with the Covenant: For 'tis their Profession, that the Words, as used, mean no such Thing. The Words used, under these Circumstances, do at least fail of being a credible Profession of these Things. — I can conceive of no such Virtue in a certain Set of Words, that 'tis proper, merely on the making these Sounds, to admit Persons to Christian Sacraments, without any Regard to any pretended Meaning of those Sounds: Nor can I think, that any Institution of Christ has established any such Terms of Admission into the Christian Church. — It don't belong to the Controversy between Me and my People, how particular or large the Profession should be, that is required. I should not choose to be confined to exact Limits as to that Matter: But rather than contend, I should content myself with a few Words, briefly expressing the cardinal Virtues or Acts implied in a hearty Compliance with the Covenant, made (as should appear by Enquiry into the Person's Doctrinal Knowledge) understandingly; if there were an external Conversation agreeable thereto: Yea, I should think, that such a Person, solemnly making such a Profession, had a Right to be received as the Object ⟨p. v⟩of a public Charity, however he himself might scruple his own Conversion, on Account of his not remembering the Time, not knowing the Method of his Conversion, or finding so much remaining Sin, &c.
It being, at the same Time that the Words are used, their known and establish'd Principle, which they openly profess and proceed upon, ⟨p. iv⟩that Men may and ought to use these Words, and mean no such Thing, but something else of a Nature far inferiour; which I think they have no distinct determinate Notion of; but something consistent with their knowing that they don't chuse God as their chief Good, but love the World more than Him, and that they do not give themselves up entirely to God, but make Reserves; and in short, knowing that they don't heartily consent to the Gospel-Covenant, but live still under the reigning Power of the Love of the World, and Enmity to God and Christ. So that the Words of their publick Profession, according to their openly establish'd Use, cease to be of the Nature of any Profession of Gospel-Faith and Repentance, or any proper Compliance with the Covenant: For 'tis their Profession, that the Words, as used, mean no such Thing. The Words used, under these Circumstances, do at least fail of being a credible Profession of these Things. — I can conceive of no such Vertue in a certain Sett of Words, that 'tis proper, meerly on the making these Sounds, to admit Persons to Christian Sacraments, without any Regard to any pretended Meaning of those Sounds: Nor can I think, that any Institution of Christ has establish'd any such Terms of Admission into the Christian Church. — It don't belong to the Controversy between Me and my People, how particular or large the Profession should be, that is required. I should not chuse to be confined to exact Limits as to that Matter: But rather than contend, I should content myself with a few Words, briefly expressing the cardinal Vertues or Acts implied in a hearty Compliance with the Covenant, made (as should appear by Enquiry into the Person's Doctrinal Knowledge) understandingly; if there were an external Conversation agreable thereto: Yea, I should think, that such a Person, solemnly making such a Profession, had a Right to be received as the Object ⟨p. v⟩of a publick Charity, however he himself might scruple his own Conversion, on Account of his not remembring the Time, not knowing the Method of his Conversion, or finding so much remaining Sin, &c.
