N05401:112
Misrepresentations corrected, and truth vindicated. In a reply to the Rev. Mr. Solomon Williams's…
Misrepresentations corrected, and truth vindicated. In a reply to the Rev. Mr. Solomon Williams's book, entitled, The true state of the question concerning the qualifications necessary to lawful communion in the Christian sacraments. / By Jonathan Edwards, M.A. Minister of the Gospel at Stockbridge. ; [Five lines of Scripture texts]Misrepresentations corrected, and truth vindicated. In a reply to the Rev. Mr. Solomon Williams's book, intitled, The true state of the question concerning the qualifications necessary to lawful communion in the Christian sacraments. / By Jonathan Edwards, M.A. Minister of the Gospel at Stockbridge. ; [Five lines of Scripture texts]
Boston: printed by S. Kneeland, 1752
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.
Mr. W. says, (P. 35. d.) I am at a Loss to conceive how it will help the Cause of Truth to represent those who are of Mr. S—'s Opinion, as teaching Men that they may enter into Covenant with God with known and allowed Guile. Supposing I had made such a Representation, I can tell him how it would have helped the Cause of Truth (as i• would be speaking nothing but the Truth) if he be one of Mr. Stoddard's Opinion (as he says he is) and represents his own Opinion truly.
But let the Unreasonableness of this Notion of professing Gospel-Holiness in Words of two Meanings, without any Discrimination or Mark of Difference, be a little further considered. Since 'tis allowed, that Gospel-Holiness is the Thing which is to be exhibited in the Profession, and there are Words which signify this by a determinate Meaning, why must they needs be avoided, and Words of doubtful and double Signification only be made use of? †Since the Design of the Profession is to exhibit to others Understanding that very Thing; if the proper & distinguishing Names of that must nevertheless be avoided in the Profession, and this, for that very Reason, that they point forth to others Understanding that very Thing by a determinate Meaning; then we are brought to this gross Absurdity, viz. That the End of a Profession is to exhibit to others Understanding and reasonable Judgment a particular Qualification; but at the same Time such Words only must be made Use of as do not distinctly point forth to others Understanding & Judgment that particular Qualification. The Church are to seek and demand a Profession, that shall determine their rational Judgment; but yet are designedly to avoid such a Profession, as ⟨p. 44⟩shall determine their Understandings.— Be it far from us to attribute to the all-wise God any such absurd & inconsistent Constitution.
But let the Unreasonableness of this Notion of professing Gospel-Holiness in Words of two Meanings, without any Discrimination or Mark of Difference, be a little further considered. Since 'tis allowed, that Gospel-Holiness is the Thing which is to be exhibited in the Profession, and there are Words which signify this by a determinate Meaning, why must they needs be avoided, and Words of doubtful and double Signification only be made use of?