N05401:373
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 XVI. A Consideration of Mr. W—ms's Defence of the 10th Objection, against the Doctrine of the Unlawfulness of unsanctified Men's coming to the Lord's Supper, That it tends to the great Perplexity and Torment of many godly Men in their Attendance on this Ordinance.
MY first Reply to this Objection was, that 'tis for Want of like Tenderness of Conscience, that the other Doctrine which insists on moral Sincerity, don't naturally bring such as are received on those Principles, into as great Perplexities.— Mr. Williams in his Animadversion upon it says, This is an Assertion which I take to be contrary to common Sense, and the Experience of Mankind; and the allowing of it to be true, must overthrow the Law of Nature, & cast infinite Reproach upon the Author of it.
These are strong Expressions; but let us bring the Matter to the Test of Reason.—The necessary Qualification, on Mr. W—ms's Principles, is moral Sincerity, and a certain Degree of moral Sincerity. For there is scarcely any Man, that lives under the Light of the Gospel, and is not an Atheist, or Deist, but what has some Degree of moral Sincerity, in some Things pertaining to Christianity and his Duty; some Degree of common Faith, some Degree of Conviction of the Need of Christ, some Desire of Him, and moral Willingness, tho' from selfish Considerations, to be good; and some Purpose to endeavour a Conformity to the Covenant of Grace, and to seek Salvation on the Terms of it. But how shall a Man know, what is a sufficient Degree of these