N01201:192
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.
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 ⟨p. 79⟩prophane 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.
2. The Lords Supper being a Sacrament or Seal of the Covenant can be no reason. Two of Mr. Gillespy's arguments are built upon that foundation; but if that arguing were good, Unregenerate persons must be forbidden all Sacraments. Circumcision was a Seal of the Righteousness of faith, Rom. 4.11. Yet God commanded Joshua at Gilgal to Circumcise all the Males who were born in the Wilderness: who were several hundred thousands, Josh. 5.2.