N05401:131
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. allows, that in Order to come to Sacraments Men ought to profess a Subjection to Christ with all their Hearts, (P. 10. d.) & to be devoted to the Service of God, (P. 49. d.) & to give up themselves to Christ, to be taught, ruled & led by Him in a Gospel-Way to Salvation. (P 31. e & P. 32. a.) And tho' He and Mr Stoddard taught, that it is lawful for some unsanctified Men to come to Sacraments, yet Mr. W. supposes it to be ⟨p. 54⟩unlawful for any to come to Sacraments serving two Masters; and says, Mr. S. taught that they ought to covenant with God with their whole Hearts, and give up all their Hearts & Lives to Christ. We are therefore to understand Mr. W. that some unsanctified Men can profess all these Things, and speak true. Strange Doctrine for a Christian Divine! Let us see whether Mr. S. taught such Doctrine. He taught, that Faith in Christ is the first Act of Obedience, that any Sinner does perform; that it is by Faith that a Man first gives himself to be God's Servant. (Safety of App. P. 228. e. P. 229. a.) That all those that are not converted, are under the Dominion of Sin, Enemies to God. (Ibid. P. 5. c. d.) That there is no Obedience to God in what they do, who have only common Grace; That they don't attend the Will of God. (Ibid. P. 7. d.) That all ungodly Men are Servants of Satan, and live in a Way of Rebellion against God. (Ibid. P. 94. b.) That they are Enemies to the Authority of God; to the Wisdom, Power & Justice of God, yea, to the very Being of God; they have a Preparedness of Heart to all Wickedness that is committed in the World, if God did not restrain 'em; that if they were in the Circumstances that the fallen Angels are in they would be as the very Devils; (Ibid. P. 95.) That their Hearts are like the Hearts of Devils, as full of Sin as a Toad is full of Poison, having no Inclination to any Thing that is good. (Guide to Christ, P. 68. See also Benef. of the Gos. P. 130. a. b.) That they utterly neglect the End they were made for, and make it their Business to serve themselves; they care not whether God's Glory sinks or swims. (Three Sermons P. 62.) That they hate God, because God crosses them in his Laws. (Ibid. P. 38. c.) These are the Men, which Mr. W. supposes must, and may (some of 'em) truly profess a Subjection to Christ with all their Hearts, and to be devoted to Christ;
Mr. W. allows, that in Order to come to Sacraments Men ought to profess a Subjection to Christ with all their Hearts, (P. 10. d.) & to be devoted to the Service of God, (P. 49. d.) & to give up themselves to Christ, to be taught, ruled & led by Him in a Gospel-Way to Salvation. (P 31. e & P. 32. a.) And tho' He and Mr Stoddard taught, that it is lawful for some unsanctified Men to come to Sacraments, yet Mr. W. supposes it to be