Memoirs of the REV. Jonathan Edwards (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 180? edition. Excerpt: ...are different, and consequently the scriptural ends of their admission into each. For infants or idiots, &c. may be qualified by grace for the society of heaven; but are totally unqualified for full communion in the church on earth. " 6. Were christian churches to act always on these principles, much bitter strife and useless discussions would he avoided, in the admission and exclusion of members. For, present, as what in such circumstances would rather blow up the fire to a greater height, than answer the good ends proposed. Mr. Edwards was sensible that his principles were not understood, but misrepresented through the country; and finding that his people were then too warm calmly to attend to the matter in controversy, he proposed to print what he had to offer on the point; as this seemed to be the only way left him to have a fair hearing. Accordingly, his people consented to put off calling a council, till what he should write was published. But they manifested great uneasiness in waiting, before it came out of the press; and, when it was publUhed, it was read but by very few of them. Mr. Edwards being sensible of this, renewed his proposal to preach upon it; and at a meeting of the brethren of the church, asked their consent, in the following terms: --"I desire that the brethren would manifest their consent, that I should declare the reasons of iny opinion relating to full communion in the church, in lectures appointed for that end; not.is an act of authority, or as putting-the power of declaring the whole counsel of God out of my hands; hut for peace' sake, and lo prevent occasion of strife." This was answered in the negative. He then proposed that it should be put to a few of the neighbouring ministers, whether it was not, all things...