N01201:184
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.
The major is evident, because if it be appointed only for Converted men, and no rule given whereby it may be restrained to them, then his Law would be impracticable. The law would be a mere snare, and men would be under a necessity to profane his Ordinance: it is a reflection ⟨p. 75⟩on the Wisdom and Holiness of God to impute such a thing to him. God don't bind his Church to impossibilities, if he had made any such Ordinance, he would give gifts to his Church to distinguish Sincere men from Hypocrites, whereby the Ordinance might have been attended.
The major is evident, because if it be appointed only for Converted men, and no rule given whereby it may be restrained to them, then his Law would be impracticable. The law would be a meer snare, and men would be under a necessity to prophane his Ordinance: it is a reflection ⟨p. 75⟩on the Wisdom and Holiness of God to impute such a thing to him. God don't bind his Church to impossibilities, if he had made any such Ordinance, he would give gifts to his Church to distinguish Sincere men from Hypocrites, whereby the Ordinance might have been attended.
The minor is also evident: He has given no such rule to his Church, whereby it may be restrained to converted Men. This appears because by the rule, that they are to go by, they are allowed to give the Lords Supper to many Unconverted men: for all visible Signs are common to men converted and unconverted. If they go by profession of the truth, that is common to both; if by a good Conversation, that is common to both; if by zeal in Religion, that is common to both; if by suffering in the cause of God, that is common to both; if by knowledge, that is common to both; if by a relation of Experiences, that is common to both.