N01152:38
The inexcusableness of neglecting the worship of God, under a pretence of being in…
The inexcusableness of neglecting the worship of God, under a pretence of being in an unconverted condition. Showed in a sermon preached at Northampton, the 17th. Decemb. 1707. being the time of the sitting of the Inferior Court. / By Solomon Stoddard, Pastor of Northampton. ; Imprimatur, J. Dudley.The inexcusableness of neglecting the worship of God, under a pretence of being in an unconverted condition. Shewed in a sermon preached at Northampton, the 17th. Decemb. 1707. being the time of the sitting of the Inferiour Court. / By Solomon Stoddard, Pastor of Northampton. ; Imprimatur, J. Dudley.
printed by B. Green. Sold by Samuel Phillips, 1708
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.
When Christ Instituted this Ordinance, He commanded his Disciples to attend it, Luk. 22. 19. Therefore it is an Ordinance to be attended by the whole Church, by all the Disciples of Christ, that have Knowledge. If Sanctification were a necessary qualification, in order to partaking, then the Church should let no others come, and then God would have given them a certain Rule in attending of which, they might keep all others away. Men had need have good arguments to make the World believe, that coming to the Lords Table is a privilege equally confined with Justification, Adoption and eternal Glory; and that none may venture to the Lords Table, but those that shall be admitted into the Kingdom of Heaven.
When Christ Instituted this Ordinance, He commanded his Disciples to attend it, Luk. 22. 19. Therefore it is an Ordinance to be attended by the whole Church, by all the Disciples of Christ, that have Knowledge. If Sanctification were a necessary qualification, in order to partaking, then the Church should let no others come, and then God would have given them a certain Rule in attending of which, they might keep all others away. Men had need have good arguments to make the World believe, that coming to the Lords Table is a priviledge equally confined with Justification, Adoption and eternal Glory; and that none may venture to the Lords Table, but those that shall be admitted into the Kingdom of Heaven.
3. Officiating in the work of the Gospel Ministry: If a man do know himself to be Unregenerate, yet it is lawful for him to administer Baptism and the Lords Supper. The blessing of this Ordinance does not depend upon the Piety of him that doth administer it. Christ knew Judas to be Unregenerate, yet he let him as well as the rest of the Disciples to administer Baptism: Joh. 4. 2. Jesus baptized not but his Disciples. If men be destitute of Regenerating Grace, yet they may administer Gods Ordinances in such a manner as may be for the glory of God, and the Edification of his People. It is most