N05272:143
A farewell-sermon preached at the first precinct in Northampton, after the people's public rejection…A farewel-sermon preached at the first precinct in Northampton, after the people's publick rejection…
A farewell-sermon preached at the first precinct in Northampton, after the people's public rejection of their minister, and renouncing their relation to him as pastor of the church there, on June 22, 1750. : Occasioned by difference of sentiments, concerning the requisite qualifications of members of the church, in complete standing. / By Jonathan Edwards, A.M. ; [Twelve lines of Scripture texts]A farewel-sermon preached at the first precinct in Northampton, after the people's publick rejection of their minister, and renouncing their relation to him as pastor of the church there, on June 22, 1750. : Occasion'd by difference of sentiments, concerning the requisite qualifications of members of the church, in compleat standing. / By Jonathan Edwards, A.M. ; [Twelve lines of Scripture texts]
Boston: printed by S. Kneeland over agianst the prison, 1751
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.
5. The last Article of Advice I would give (which ⟨p. 35⟩doubtless does greatly concern your Prosperity) is, that you would take great Care with Regard to the Settlement of a Minister, to see to it who, or what Manner of Person he is that you settle; and particularly in these two Respects.
(1.) That he be a Man of thoroughly sound Principles, in the Scheme of Doctrine which he maintains.
This you will stand in the greatest Need of, especially at such a Day of Corruption as this is. And in Order to obtain such a one, you had need to exercise extraordinary Care and Prudence. — I know the Danger. — I know the Manner of many young Gentlemen of corrupt Principles, their Ways of concealing themselves, the fair specious Disguises they are wont to put on, by which they deceive others, to maintain their own Credit, and get themselves into others Confidence & Improvement, and secure and establish their own Interest, 'till they see a convenient Opportunity to begin more openly to broach and propagate their corrupt Tenets.