N05401:397
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.
Appendix: An APPENDIX. BEING A LETTER to the People of the first Church and Congregation in NORTH…
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.
You have ever been taught, that the Hearts of natural Men are wholly corrupt, entirely destitute of any Thing spiritually Good, not having the least Spark of Love to God, and as much without all Things of this Nature, as a dead Corpse is without Life: Nevertheless, that 'tis hard for Sinners to be convinced of this; that they are exceeding prone to imagine, there is some Goodness in 'em, some Respect to God in what they do: Yet that they must be brought off from such a vain Conceit of themselves, and come to see themselves utterly depraved and quite dead in Sin.— But now this Book of Mr. W. leads you to quite other Notions; it leads you to suppose, that some natural Men are above Lukewarmness in Religion, that they may truly profess to be the real Friends of Christ, and to love God, more than his Enemies, and above the World.
It was a Doctrine greatly inculcated on you by Mr. S. as supposing it of great Importance for all to be convinced of it, That natural Men are not subject to the Law of God, nor indeed can be; that they never do truly serve God, but are wholly under the Dominion of Sin and Satan.—But if Sinners believe Mr. W—ms's Book, they won't be convinced of ⟨p. 170⟩these Things; nay, will believe quite contrary Things, viz. That Sinners, while in a State of Nature, may have a cordial Subjection to Jesus Christ, and may be subject to him with all their Hearts, and may be so devoted to the Service of Christ as to be above those that serve two Masters, may give up themselves to be taught, ruled, and led by him in a Gospel-Way of Salvation, and may give up all their Hearts and Lives to him.— And is it likely, while Sinners believe these Doctrines of Mr. W.— that they will ever be brought to a thorough Humiliation, in a Conviction of their being wholly under the Power of Enmity against God? Which Mr. S. taught you to be of such great Importance.