N01201:181
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.
4. The Lords Supper is for the Spiritual good of all that are regularly to be admitted thereunto. All Ordinances attended according to institution, are for that end, that the Spirit may be Saved in the day of the Lord Jesus, and so this Ordinance. This is the Work of the Ministry in all their administrations, by all means to save some. This Ordinance may have a contrary effect, & be an occasion of the ruin of softy: but the direct end of it is Salvation, and ⟨p. 74⟩so the direct end of it is Conversion, when the Subject that it is administered unto stands in need of Conversion: there is no reason to confine the benefit of it unto Saints.
4. The Lords Supper is for the Spiritual good of all that are regularly to be admitted thereunto. All Ordinances attended according to institution, are for that end, that the Spirit may be Saved in the day of the Lord Jesus, and so this Ordinance. This is the Work of the Ministry in all their administrations, by all means to save some. This Ordinance may have a contrary effect, & be an occasion of the ruin of softie: but the direct end of it is Salvation, and ⟨p. 74⟩so the direct end of it is Conversion, when the Subject that it is administred unto stands in need of Conversion: there is no reason to confine the benefit of it unto Saints.
Mr. Mather argues, That Faith comes by Hearing, Rom. 14. Why does he not argue that the Subsequent acts of faith come by hearing as well as the first, and that therefore the Lords Supper is not for the strengthening of Faith. Put indeed there is Hearing, as well as Seeing, and Touching and Smelling and Tasting, in the Sacrament of the Supper, there is a gracious offer of Christ, and all his benefits, which has a proper tendency to beget faith.
Mr. Mather argues, That Faith comes by Hearing,