N01201:203
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.
Obj. It is a Covenant duty but it must not be attended by Unqualified Persons; though it be a Covenant duty, yet not for Ignorant Persons, nor Scandalous Persons, nor Unsanctified Persons: if Persons be not duly qualified it is no immediate duty for them; the Ignorant must get knowledge, Scandalous persons must repent of their transgressions, and Natural men must get into a Converted condition, and so come to the Lords Supper.
Obj. It is a Covenant duty but it must not be attended by Unqualifyed Persons; though it be a Covenant duty, yet not for Ignorant Persons, nor Scandalous Persons, nor Unsanctifyed Persons: if Persons be not duly qualified it is no immediate duty for them; the Ignorant must get knowledge, Scandalous persons must repent of their transgressions, and Natural men must get into a Converted condition, and so come to the Lords Supper.
Answ. It is very reasonable to say that God requires Ignorant persons to come, and yet for bids them to come before they have knowledge; and that he requires Scandalous persons to come, and yet forbids their coming until they have made Satisfaction: because they are able to qualify themselves, they may truly be said to have liberty and legal power to come, because they have a natural power to qualify themselves; it is their duty to amend their faults and so to come.
Answ. It is very reasonable to say that God requires Ignorant persons to come, and yet for bids them to come before they have knowledge; and that he requires Scandalous persons to come, and yet forbids their coming until they have made Satisfaction: because they are able to qualify themselves, they may truly be said to have liberty and legal power to come, because they have a natural power to qualify themselves; it is their duty to amend their fauls and so to come.