N01201:201
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 is evident from hence. Because it is lawful for them to keep the external Covenant: as they have a natural so they have a legal power to keep the external Covenant. The attending of the Lords Supper is one of the external duties of the Covenant: Circumcision is said to be the Covenant: Gen. 17.10. This is my Covenant which ye shall keep between me and you, and thy Seed after thee, every man Child among you, shall be circumcised. And v. 14. The neglect of this is called, A breaking of the Covenant. So the Lords Supper ⟨p. 83⟩is part of the Covenant, and a token of the Covenant: and if any Professing People do neglect it, be it under what notion it will, it will be a grievous breach of Covenant.
If God does command them to attend Covenant duties, then he don't forbid them; God does not require and prohibit the same thing, there is a consistency in Gods commands: He does not lay a tie upon mens Consciences to come, and lay a tie upon their Consciences to forbear; God makes them promise to keep his Covenant; and will he make it criminal to attend those duties of the Covenant, which he has made them promise to keep? they cannot keep the Covenant if they don't come to the Lords Supper, therefore it must be lawful for them to come.
If God does command them to attend Covenant duties, then he don't forbid them; God does not require and prohibit the same thing, there is a consistency in Gods commands: He does not lay a tye upon mens Consciences to come, and lay a tye upon their Consciences to forbear; God makes them promise to keep his Covenant; and will he make it criminal to attend those duties of the Covenant, which he has made them promise to keep? they cannot keep the Covenant if they don't come to the Lords Supper, therefore it must be lawful for them to come.