N01201:32
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.
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.
2. The fault is charged on the Priests, that they brought in such as were uncircumcised in flesh & in heart: therefore it must necessarily be understood of such as were visibly uncircumcised in heart; for the Priests were not to blame for letting in such as were visibly circumcised in heart, though not really so: for they were bound by Gods Ordinance to do it. Yea Mr. M. goes a great deal further than I ⟨p. 11⟩dare go, for he says, That Adulterers, Thieves, Liars, Slanderers & Perjured Persons might celebrate the Passover, p. 75, 76. How to reconcile such practices with heart circumcision is quite beyond me.
Here our Reverend Author informs us, That the Jewish Masters tell us, that their Fathers were very strict in admitting of Proselytes, they say they admitted no Proselytes in Davids time, least they should join themselves to his People out of fear; nor in Solomons time, least they should come because of the great Prosperity that Israel then had.
To which I may Answer in the Apostles words, 1 Tim. 1.4. Neither give beed to fables. If it were really so it was utterly cross to the institution of God: Exod. 12.47, 48. but undoubtedly the thing is utterly false: David mentions the Proselytes in his time, as a great body of People: Psal. 115.12, 13. He will bless the house of Israel, he will bless the house of Aaron, be will bless them that fear the Lord. By them that fear the Lord, we are to understand the Proselytes. So