N01201:191
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 consequence may be made evident from hence, because there can be no reason assigned, why Unsanctified persons may attend all other duties of Worship and not the Lords Supper. If there be the like reason for them to forbear other duties of Worship as to forbear this, and the like reason to attend this act of Worship as others, then the lawfulness of attending them, shows the lawfulness of attending this: if it were made out to be Gods pleasure that it should be so that is reason enough: but there is no reason can be assigned for such a difference.
The consequence may be made evident from hence, because there can be no reason assigned, why Unsanctifyed persons may attend all other duties of Worship and not the Lords Supper. If there be the like reason for them to forbear other duties of Worship as to forbear this, and the like reason to attend this act of Worship as others, then the lawfulness of attending them, shews the lawfulness of attending this: if it were made out to be Gods pleasure that it should be so that is reason enough: but there is no reason can be assigned for such a disference.
Particularly: It can be no reason for Unregenerate men to forbear the Lords Supper because it is an holy Ordinance: For all the Ordinances of God are holy. Circumcision was so, and the Passover, so is Baptism: these Ordinances were appointed for the advancing of Holiness, there was Religion in them, they were to be attended in an holy manner, and it was great Wickedness to use them in a ⟨p. 79⟩profane way; they were designed for the honour of God, yet that was no sufficient reason for Unregenerate men to forbear attending of them: and therefore that can be no sufficient reason to forbear attending the Lords Supper.
Particularly: It can be no reason for Unregenerate men to forbear the Lords Supper because it is an holy Ordinance: For all the Ordinances of God are holy. Circumcision was so, and the Passover, so is Baptism: these Ordinances were appointed for the advancing of Holiness, there was Religion in them, they were to be attended in an holy manner, and it was great Wickedness to use them in a