N05401:343
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 XIV. Concerning that great Argument, which Mr. W. urges in various Parts of his Book, of those being born in the Church, who are Children of Parents that are in Covenant.
'Tis hard to understand distinctly what Mr. W. would be at, concerning this Matter, or what his Argument is. He often speaks of Parents that are in Covenant, as born in Covenant, and so born in the Church. (For to be in Covenant, is the same with him as to be Members of the visible Church. See P. 98. c. 88. d. 89. b. 59. e. 60. a. 136. b.) And speaks of them as admitted into the Church in their Ancestors, and by the Profession of their Ancestors. (P. 135. e. 136. a.) Yea, for ought I can see, He holds that they were born Members in COMPLETE STANDING in the visible Church. (P. 3.)
'TIs hard to understand distinctly what Mr. W. would be at, concerning this Matter, or what his Argument is. He often speaks of Parents that are in Covenant, as born in Covenant, and so born in the Church. (For to be in Covenant, is the same with him as to be Members of the visible Church. See P. 98. c. 88. d. 89. b. 59. e. 60. a. 136. b.) And speaks of them as admitted into the Church in their Ancestors, and by the Profession of their Ancestors. (P. 135. e. 136. a.) Yea, for ought I can see, He holds that they were born Members in COMPLEAT STANDING in the visible Church. (P. 3.)
And yet he abundantly speaks of their being ADMITTED into the Church, and MADE Members, after they are born, viz. by their Baptism. And his Words (unless we will suppose him to speak Nonsense) are such as will not allow us to understand him, merely, that Baptism is a Sign & public Acknowledgement of their having been admitted in their Ancestors, in preceding Generations. For he speaks of Baptism as the ONLY Rite (or Way) of Admission into the visible Church, applying it to the Baptism of Children; and as that which MAKES 'em Members of the Body of Christ. (P. 99. c, d.) And he grants, that it was ordained for […] ADMISSION of the Party baptized into the visible Church. (P. 99. e. P. 100. a.) That Baptism is an Admission; and that they were thus before admitted (P. 100. c.) still speaking of the Baptism of Infants, and of Admission of Members into Churches.—But surely these Things don't harmonize with the Doctrine of their first receiving Being in the Church (as a Branch receives Being in the Tree, & grows in it & from it) or their being born in the Covenant, born in the House of God. And yet these repugnant Things are uttered as it were in the same Breath by Mr. W. (P. 99.) And he joins 'em together in the same Line (P. 46. e.) in these Words,— Baptism instituted by him, as a Rite of ADMISSION into his Church, & being CONTINUED