N05401:177
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.
A Man's continuing in Hatred of his Brother, especially a Fellow-Communicant, is generally allowed to be a Thing that disqualifies for Communion: The Apostle compares it to Leaven in the Passover, 1 Cor. v.6, 7, 8. But now certainly 'tis as bad, and as contrary to the Nature & Design of Christian Sacraments, for a Man to live in Hatred of CHRIST, and to remain a hateful and accursed Enemy (if I may use Mr. W—ms's own Language) to the glorious Redeemer and Head of the Christian Church.
None will deny, that Lying and Perjury are very gross and heinous Sins, and (if known) very scandalous; and therefore it follows from what was observed before, that such Sins, if lived in, though secretly, do disqualify Persons for Christian Sacraments in God's Sight. But by our Author's own Account, all unsanctified Men that partake of the Lord's Supper, live in Lying and Perjury, and go on to renew these Crimes continually; in-as-much-as while they continue ungodly Men, they live in a constant Violation of their Promise and Oath. For Mr. W. often lays it down, that all who enter into Covenant with God, do promise spiritual Duties, such as Repentance, Faith, Love, &c, And that they promise to perform these hence-forward, even from the present Moment, unto the End of Life; (See P. 25. c, e. 26. a. 28. a, c. 76. a, b.) And that they don't only promise, but Swear to do this. (P. 18. d. 100. c. 101. a. 129. a. 130. c. 140. b.) But for a Man to violate the Promises he makes in covenanting with God, Mr. W. once & again speaks of it as Lying. (P. 24. d, e. P. 130. c.) And if so, doubtless their breaking the Oath they swear to God, is Perjury. — Now lying to Men is bad; but lying to GOD is worse. (Act. v.4.) […] without Doubt, Perjury towards GOD is the worst Sort of […]. But if unsanctified Men, when they entered into Covenant with God, promised and swore, that they would immediately & thence-forward accept of Christ as their Saviour, and love him, and live to him; then while they continue in a wilful Rejection of him (which according to ⟨p. 75⟩