N01201:222
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 he argues, Such as were graceless and without any interest in Christ, and so none of his invisible Members, have Gods command to enjoin, and his word to warrant them, to receive the Seals; as Ishmael, Esau, and all the Males were enjoined to be Circumcised. All the Families of the Jews were commanded to eat the Passover, many whereof were without all question, not invisible and believing Members of Christ. He ⟨p. 92⟩adds, That the visible Church is the Olive spoken of, Rom. 11.17. The Seals are part of that fullness that appertains thereunto: and therefore the visible Church is the prime subject of them. And he brings in Mr. Rutherford confessing that if any after they are received, shall be found Unregenerate, they are not to be cast out for that. And saith upon it. Then I suppose you will not deny them the Seals. p. 43.
Particularly he argues, Such as were graceless and without any interest in Christ, and so none of his invisible Members, have Gods command to injoyn, and his word to warrant them, to receive the Seals; as Ishmael, Esau, and all the Males were injoyned to be Circumcised. All the Families of the Jews were commanded to eat the Passover, many whereof were without all question, not invisible and believing Members of Christ. He ⟨p. 92⟩adds, That the visible Church is the Olive spoken of, Rom. 11.17. The Seals are part of that fulness that appertains thereunto: and therefore the visible Church is the prime subject of them. And he brings in Mr. Ruterford confessing that if any after they are received, shall be found Unregenerate, they are not to be cast out for that. And saith upon it. Then I suppose you will not deny them the Seals. p. 43.
I mention this Testimony of Mr. Hookers, to show how injuriously Mr. Mather deals with me, when he calls my Opinion, a new, upstart and singular Opinion; and the vanity of his admiration, That a Minister of New-England, should Publish such doctrine; whereas its no other than what has been Printed by one of the Pillars of the Churches of New-England, Sixty years before.