N01201:158
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 3: The Third BOOK. Arguments to prove that Sanctifying Grace is not necessary, in order to…
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.
for they don't give him a right, it is only Sanctification doth that, neither do they evidence that he hath a right.
But though the truth of this Argument be as evident as the light of the Sun at Noon day, yet it would be strange if Mr. Mather should have no answer to give. He tells us if after serious Examination, be cannot but hope there is a good work begun in his Soul, be ought to come, though his hopes be not Assurance.
But I say, he ought not to come unless he has a right to come; ought he to come if he have this hope, whether he be Regenerate or not? he may have these hopes, and yet be unsanctified, then it is not Sanctification that gives him the right but the hopes of it: he ought to come, Mr. M. saith: yet he ought to stay away because he is unsanctified: he is charged to come because of his hopes, and condemned for coming because he is unsanctified.
But I say, he ought not to come unless he has a right to come; ought he to come if he have this hope, whether he be Regenerate or not? he may have these hopes, and yet be unsanctifyed, then it is not Sanctification that gives him the right but the hopes of it: he ought to come, Mr. M. saith: yet he ought to stay away because he is unsanctifyed: he is charged to come because of his hopes, and condemned for coming because he is unsanctifyed.