N05401:150
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.
SECTION VIII. The Notion of moral Sincerity's being the Qualification, which gives a lawful Right to Christian Sacraments, examined.
THO' our Author disdains the Imputation of any such Notion, as that of Men's being called visible & professed Saints from Respect to a Visibility and Profession of moral Sincerity: Yet 'tis manifest, that in his Scheme (whether consistently or no, others must judge) moral Sincerity is the Qualification which entitles, and gives a lawful Right, ⟨p. 65⟩to Sacraments. For he holds, that 'tis lawful for unsanctified Men, who have this Qualification, to come to Sacraments; and that it is not lawful for 'em to come without it. Therefore I desire this Notion may be thoroughly examined.
And for the greater Clearness, let it be observed what Sincerity in general is. Now Sincerity, in the general Notion of it, is An honest Conformity of some Profession or outward Show of some inward Property or Act of Mind, to the Truth and Reality of it. If there be a Show or Pretence of what is not, and has no real Existence, then the Pretence is altogether vain; it is only a Pretence, and nothing else: And therefore is a Pretence or Show without any Sincerity, of any Kind, either moral or gracious.