N01201:120
An appeal to the learned. Being a vindication of the right of visible saints…
An appeal to the learned. Being a vindication of the right of visible saints to the Lords Supper, though they be destitute of a saving work of God's spirit on their hearts: against the exceptions of Mr. Increase Mather. / By Solomon Stoddard, Pastor of Northampton. ; [Two lines from Daniel]
Boston: printed by B. Green for Samuel Phillips, 1709
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Book 2: The Second BOOK. The Arguments of Mr. Vines, Mr. Baxter, and Mr. Charnock, Answered.
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.
2. If he means that no man is warranted to receive the Sacrament, unless he professes real faith. I deny the Consequence: He would prove his consequence, because no man is bound to make a false: Profession. […] Answer it is the duty of a man that is rationally convinced of the truth ⟨p. 45⟩of the Gospel to affirm that he believes it, tho' he doth not believe it with a Saving faith. They were blamed for not doing of it: Joh. 12.42, 43. Among the chief Rulers many believed on him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the Synagogue, for they loved the praise of men more then the praise of God. When such profess faith, they make a true Profession, they profess that which they do indeed believe, though their profession be not graciously sincere, & men are bound to speak the truth, though they only do it with a moral, and not with a gracious sincerity.
2. If he means that no man is warranted to receive the Sacrament, unless he professes real faith. I deny the Consequence: He would prove his consequence, because no man is bound to make a false: Profession. 〈…〉 Answer it is the duty of a man that is rationally convinced of the truth ⟨p. 45⟩of the Gospel to affirm that he believes it, tho' he doth not believe it with a Saving faith. They were blamed for not doing of it: Joh. 12.42, 43. Among the chief Rulers many believed on him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the Synagogue, for they loved the praise of men more then the praise of God. When such profess faith, they make a true Profession, they profess that which they do indeed believe, though their profession be not graciously sincere, & men are bound to speak the truth, though they only do it with a moral, and not with a gracious sincerity.