N01201:197
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.
6. The Apostles commanding men to Examine themselves as a preparation for coming to the Lords Supper, can be no reason. If he had said, Let men Examine themselves & so let them fast, we should not have thought that to be a sufficient reason for Unregenerate men to abstain from fasting. And if he had said, That he that Prays unworthily, and Hears the word unworthily, exposes himself to Damnation or Judgment, we should not have looked upon that a sufficient reason for Unregenerate men to refrain from Praying, and Hearing of the Word.
Were I a Papist, and did I believe the doctrine of Transubstantiation, that the Bread and Wine were the natural body and blood of Christ, I might think that to be a sufficient reason for Unregenerate mens not coming to the Lords Supper, & though I do not imagine any such apprehensions in those Brethren that differ from me, yet I doubt that opinion has laid the foundation of their doctrine, and likewise of receiving the Sacrament kneeling.
Were I a Papist, and did I believe the doctrine of Transubstantiation, that the Bread and Wine were the natural body and blood of Christ, I might think that to be a sufficient reason for Unregenerate mens not coming to the Lords Supper, & though I do not imagine any such apprehensions in those Brethren that differ from me, yet I doubt that opinion has laid the foundation of their doctrine, and likewise of recieving the Sacrament kneeling.
7. Argument. They that are in external Covenant with God, and neither Ignorant nor Scandalous may lawfully come to the Lords Supper, but some Unsanctified persons are in external Covenant with God.
7. Argument. They that are in external Covenant with God, and neither Ignerant nor Scandalous may lawfully come to the Lords Supper, but some Unsanctifyed persons are in external Covenant with God.