N01201:229
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.
What can we suppose to be the reason, that Divines in reckoning up those benefits that flow from Effectual Calling, take no notice of a right to the Lords Supper, they reckon Justification, Adoption, Sanctification, Peace of Conscience, Joy in the Holy Ghost, Assurance of Gods Love, &c. ⟨p. 95⟩But I meet with none that reckon a right to the Lords-Supper among those benefits: I can give no other reason than this, That it is not accounted of by them a peculiar Privilege of those that are Effectually Called; but the Privilege of visible Believers: neither would Pastors of Churches satisfy their Consciences, to forbear warning of such as were convinced that they were in a Natural Estate, to refrain coming to the Lords Supper, if they did judge it to be a Sinful and Dangerous thing for them to come.
What can we suppose to be the reason, that Divines in reckoning up those benefits that flow from Effectual Calling, take no notice of a right to the Lords Supper, they reckon Justification, Adoption, Sanctification, Peace of Conscience, Joy in the Holy Ghost, Assurance of Gods Love, &c. ⟨p. 95⟩But I meet with none that reckon a right to the Lords-Supper among those benefits: I can give no other reason than this, That it is not accounted of by them a peculiar Priviledge of those that are Effectually Called; but the Priviledge of visible Believers: neither would Pastors of Churches satisfy their Consciences, to forbear warning of such as were convinced that they were in a Natural Estate, to refrain coming to the Lords Supper, if they did judge it to be a Sinful and Dangerous thing for them to come.
If these things which I have Written be impartially considered, it will appear that Mr. Mather has not proved any mistake in the Sermon, that he has showed so much zeal against; indeed Mr. Mather has in a manner given the case. (1.) By owning that the Church ought to receive Unregenerate men, provided they are Godly to rational Charity. (2.) That it is the duty of persons to come to the Lords-Supper, if after Examination they cannot but hope, that there is a good work begun in them.