N05401:128
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. supposes (P. 36. a, b, c.) that the Profession Men must make in Order to come to Sacraments, implies real Friendship to God, loving God more than his Enemies, loving ⟨p. 52⟩Him above the World; and therefore according to Mr. W. unsanctified Men may make this Profession also, and speak true: Contrary to the whole Current of Scripture, which represents unsanctified Men as the Enemies of God, those that have not the Love of God in them, under the Power of a carnal Mind, &c.—And contrary to the unanimous Voice of all sound Divines, yea, of the whole Christian World. Mr. W. in the forementioned Place blames Me, that I had intimated (as He supposes) that the Profession which Mr. Stoddard taught to be necessary, did not imply real Friendship, and loving God above his Enemies, and above the World. Let us then compare this with Mr. S—d's Doctrine, as that is extant in his Writings. He speaks of it as a Property of saving Grace, wherein it specifically differs from common Grace, that a true Love to God prizes God above all the World. (Nat. of Say. Conv. P. 7. b. c.) That every natural Man prefers. vain and base Things before God. (Ibid. P. 96. b.) That they are all Enemies to God, and the very Being of God. (Ibid. P. 5. c. d. and P. 97.) That their Hearts are full of Enmity to God. (Ibid. P. 55. e) That they have an Aversion to those gracious Actions of loving God, and trusting in Christ, and are under the Dominion of a contrary Inclination. (Ibid. P. 67.) That those of 'em whose Consciences are enlightened, and are reforming their Lives, have no Love; and that it is a Burden to 'em that they suspect there is such a God, that they wish there was not such an One. And that they are Haters of God, and are so addicted to their own Interest, that they have a bitter Spirit towards God, have an ill Affection to Him, and are Adversaries to his Felicity. (Ibid. P. 97. Three Serm. P. 38, 39.) That they are governed by a Spirit of Self-Love, and are wholly destitute of Love to God; That some of 'em do confess that they have but little Love to God; but indeed they have not one Spark of Love to God in their Hearts. (Three Serm. P. 48) That they set their Interest at the Right Hand of God's Glory,—as if God's Honour were not to be regarded, compared with their Interest, &c. &c. (Ibid. P. 62, 63.)
Mr. W. supposes (P. 36. a, b, c.) that the Profession Men must make in Order to come to Sacraments, implies real Friendship to God, loving God more than his Enemies, loving ⟨p. 52⟩