Cover of Humble Inquiry into the Qualifications for Full Communion

Classic Christian work

Humble Inquiry into the Qualifications for Full Communion

by Jonathan Edwards

Modern English translation available Audiobook available in the app
A pivotal 18th-century treatise arguing that only those who credibly profess genuine saving faith — not merely moral sincerity — should be admitted to the Lord's Supper and full church membership. With careful biblical exegesis and rigorous logic, Edwards challenges the open communion practice of his own grandfather, Solomon Stoddard, distinguishing between real saints and visible saints to establish that the church must require evidence of true piety. This bold work, which cost Edwards his Northampton pastorate, remains essential reading for understanding Reformed ecclesiology and the nature of the visible church.
Chapters
4
Word count
74,056
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Table of contents

  1. 01 The Author's Preface 2,062 words
  2. 02 Part 1 3,409 words
  3. 03 Part 2 39,153 words
  4. 04 Part 3 28,783 words
Front matter (1 section)

Title Page

An Humble INQUIRY INTO The Rules of the WORD of GOD, CONCERNING The QUALIFICATIONS Requisite to a Complete Standing and full Communion IN THE Visible Christian CHURCH.

By Jonathan Edwards, Master of Arts Pastor of the first Church in Northampton. With an Appendix by Mister Foxcroft.

JOB 33. 2, 3. Behold now I have opened my Mouth:—My Words shall be of the Uprightness of my Heart.
Confitebatur [Lutherus] dolorem suum, quod ab ipsis reflorescentis Evangelii Primordiis, quosvis absque Discrimine ad Coenam dominicam admisisset, quodque Disciplinam, Fratrum Disciplinae similem, apud suos non constituisset. Quia objiciebatur, Fratres non habere Ecclesiam apertam; Responsum fuit, Sancta dare non Sanctis prohibuisse Christum: Errorem [in Papatu] corrigi non posse aliter quam ut certa Probatione, nec illa subitanea, Cordium Arcana revelunter, Novitiique diu et caute tum informentur, tum explorentur. Ratio Disciplinae Fratrum Bohemorum.

BOSTON: Printed and Sold by S. KNEELAND in Queen Street, 1749.

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