N05401:354
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.
For in his Scheme, all that are morally sincere may lawfully receive the Privileges of visible Saints; But we have no Scripture-Grounds to suppose, that God will bless the Children of such Parents as have nothing more than moral Sincerity, with either common or saving Grace. There are no Promises of the Covenant of Grace made to such Parents, either concerning themselves, or their Children. The Covenant of Grace is a conditional Covenant; as both Sides in this Controversy suppose: And therefore, by the Supposition, Men have no Title to the Promises without the Condition. And as saving Faith is the Condition, the Promises are all made to that, both those which respect Persons themselves, and those that respect their Seed. As 'tis with many Covenants or Bargains among Men; by these, Men are often entitled to Possessions for themselves and their Heirs: Yet they are entitled to no Benefits of the Bargain, neither for themselves, nor their Children, but by complying with the ⟨p. 151⟩Terms of the Bargain. So with Respect to the Covenant of Grace, the Apostle says (Act. ii.39.) The Promise is to you and to your Children. So the Apostle says to the Jailer (Act. xvi.31.) Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and Thou shalt be saved, and thy House. And we find many Promises, all over the Bible, made to the Seed of the Righteous, that God will bless their Seed for their sakes. Thus, Psal. cxii.2. The Generation of the Upright shall be blessed. Psal. lxix.35, 36. For God will save Zion;—The Seed also of his Servants shall inherit it; and they that love his Name shall dwell therein. See also Prov. xiv.26. Psal. ciii.17, 18. Psal. 102.28. Exod. 20.5, 6. Deut. vii.9.— Supposing these to be what are called indefinite Promises; yet do they extend to any but the Seed of the Righteous? Where are any such Promises made to the Children of unsanctified Men, the Enemies of God, and Slaves of the Devil (as Mr. W. owns all unsanctified Men are) whatever moral Sincerity and common Religion they may have?