N01201:132
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.
1. Arg. Baptism is not a Converting Ordinance, much less this of the Supper. Ans. Baptism is a Converting Ordinance two ways. 1. God gives Grace to the Children in this way. Some in their Infancy: thus we hope for some that dye in Childhood; some afterward. 2. The consideration of their being Baptised, is a means to help forward their Conversion, by convincing, awakening and encouraging of them. He would prove, that Baptism is not a Converting Ordinance, because Circumcision was to Abraham a Seal of the Righteousness of faith, which he had when he was Uncircumcised, Rom. 4.11. But tho' Abraham had faith before he was Circumcised, yet it don't follow that Ishmael had, that all his Male Servants had; and others in future times.
1. Arg. Baptism is not a Converting Ordinance, much less this of the Supper. Ans. Baptism is a Converting Ordinance two ways. 1. God gives Grace to the Children in this way. Some in their Infancy: thus we hope for some that dye in Childhood; some afterward. 2. The consideration of their being Baptised, is a means to help forward their Conversion, by convincing, awakning and incouraging of them. He would prove, that Baptism is not a Converting Ordinance, because Circumcision was to Abraham a Seal of the Righteousness of faith, which he had when he was Uncircumcised, Rom. 4.11. But tho' Abraham had faith before he was Circumcised, yet it don't follow that Ishmael had, that all his Male Servants had; and others in future times.
2. Arg. Bread & Wine are not to enliven ⟨p. 49⟩a Dead man, but to nourish a living man, Christ is offered here as Spiritual food, and spiritual food supposeth a new birth. Ans. The consequence is to be denied: for these three reasons. 1. Because this Argument lies as strong against the Passover's being a Converting Ordinance as the Lords Supper. 2. Because Christ being offered as spiritual food, is a special encouragement unto the first act of faith, which is actual Conversion, if Christ offers to nourish us up to eternal life, that draws us to accept of him. 3. The Lords Supper represents Christ as the bread of Life, as he is; and then it is a Converting Ordinance. The reason is, because he is not only, a life supporting, strengthening, nourishing and increasing bread, but a life giving bread.