N01201:170
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.
But this will not bear Examination; it is as if he should say, That the Children of the Town, were Members of Mankind, and Members of the Common Wealth, but not Members of the Town where they ⟨p. 69⟩dwell: Is it agreeable to reason to think that the Church stands in relation to them, and is bound to see to their Education, and that they stand in no relation to the Church? How unreasonable is it to think, that a Multitude of men should be reckoned of the Common Wealth of Israel, and have some Privileges for themselves and Children, and yet be under no Ecclesiastical Government? is not this quite contrary to the practice of these Churches, who have been wont to call many to account for their Misdemeanours, who were the Children of the Church?
But this will not bear Examination; it is as if he should say, That the Children of the Town, were Members of Mankind, and Members of the Common Wealth, but not Members of the Town where they ⟨p. 69⟩dwell: Is it agreable to reason to think that the Church stands in relation to them, and is bound to see to their Education, and that they stand in no relation to the Church? How unreasonable is it to think, that a Multitude of men should be reckoned of the Common Wealth of Israel, and have some Priviledges for themselves and Children, and yet be under no Ecclesiastical Government? is not this quite contrary to the practice of these Churches, who have been wont to call many to account for their Misdemenours, who were the Children of the Church?
What do these men want to make them Members of particular Churches? he will say, They want to be in Covenant with particular Churches; but there is neither Precept nor Precedent for it in the Scripture. He faith in another Book, That I call the Church a body corporate; but there is no forming of a body corporate without a Covenant; but therein he lies under a great mistake; bodies corporate may be made by Law, and they may be made by Charter.