N01201:188
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.
He saith, why should we not believe that men that give us an account of their Conversion, and whose Conversations are outwardly blameless and holy, are really according as they seem to be. I will give him a reason, and that is because it may be false; Many persons that have given a fair account and carried well in the eye of the World for several years, have not proved well at last: and God obliges no man to believe that which may be false.
6. Argument. If Unsanctified men may attend all other Ordinances or Duties of Worship, then they may lawfully attend the Lords Supper: But they may attend all other Ordinances or Duties of Worship.
6. Argument. If Unsanctifyed men may attend all other Ordinances or Duties of Worship, then they may lawfully attend the Lords Supper: But they may attend all other Ordinances or Duties of Worship.
The minor will be generally acknowledged: And indeed there was not any duty of Worship required since the foundation of the World, that they might not attend. But Mr. Mather doth object: he grants that an Unconverted man may Preach: for he may have great gifts which he may and ought to improve to the glory of God, and the good of men. But he thinks he may not administer the Lords Supper; he saith, The argument from Natural to Instituted Worship will not hold. But he strangely forgets himself; might not the Priests of old though unregenerate attend other duties of their Office as well as Preach the word; Sacrificing was Instituted Worship as well as administering the Lords Supper, so was offering of Incense: but where were they forbidden to do those Services, in case they were Unregenerate? the blessing of administrations in the house of God doth not depend upon the Piety of the Minister. The Officiating ⟨p. 78⟩