N05401:126
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.
And Mr. Williams himself in his Sermon on Psal. xci.1. describing carnal Men, by which He means the same with unconverted Men (as is evident through' the Book, particularly P. 36. c.) he says, P. 27, 28. That to such Religion looks like a dull unpleasant Kind of Exercise, and so different from the sensual Joys and Pleasures which they choose, that they hate to set about it, as long as they dare let it alone; and would do as little as ever they can at it: — That when they durst not let it alone any longer, they set about it, but would fain dispatch it as soon, and as easily as they can; because it seems to them a miserable uncomfortable Sort of Life. Ask your own Conscience (say, He) see if this be not the Truth of the Case. —Now let the Reader judge, whether this be a Description of Persons whom it would be injurious to represent as having nothing above Lukewarmness.
And Mr. VVilliams himself in his Sermon on Psal. xci.1. describing carnal Men, by which He means the same with unconverted Men (as is evident thro' the Book, particularly P. 36. c.) he says, P. 27, 28. That to such Religion looks like a dull unpleasant Kind of Exercise, and so different from the sensual Joys and Pleasures which they chuse, that they hate to set about it, as long as they dare let it alone; and would do as little as ever they can at it: — That when they durst not let it alone any longer, they set about it, but would fain dispatch it as soon, and as easily as they can; because it seems to them a miserable uncomfortable Sort of Life. Ask your own Conscience (say, He) see if this be not the Truth of the Case. —Now let the Reader judge, whether this be a Description of Persons whom it would be injurious to represent as having nothing above Lukewarmness.
Another Thing, which Mr. W. supposes must be professed in Order to come to Sacraments, and therefore according to Him is what an unsanctified Man can profess, and speak true, is, "That they with all their Hearts cast themselves upon the Mercy of God, to help 'em to keep Covenant." (P. 31. e. & P. 32. a.) And yet elsewhere He mentions a depending on Christ for Things of this Nature, as a discriminating Mark of a true Christian. (Ser. on Christ a King & Witness. P. 19. c.) Under a Use of Examination, he there says, Do you depend on Christ to protect you from all your spiritual Enemies, to restore you to Holiness, to subdue all your Heart to the Will of God, to make you Partakers of his Image and moral Perfections, and in that Way to preserve and lead you to your true Perfection & eternal Happiness?