N01201:42
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.
The major is granted. There is no need to take notice of his discourse upon it, because it is a digression, and concerns not the matter in controversy.
But the minor is utterly denied: Some Unsanctified persons are fit to be admitted Members in particular Churches, they that are fit matter for Church Membership, are to be admitted: but visible Saints tho' they are hypocrites, are fit matter for Church Membership: they that are to be admitted according to the Ordinance of God are fit to be admitted. Such as must be admitted or else God will be greatly offended, are fit to be admitted: Such as being admitted may not be cast out, are fit to be admitted. But thus it is with visible Saints: though they have not a thorough work of Conversion; such persons as God himself did admit into the Church of Israel, are fit to be admitted into Gospel ⟨p. 16⟩Churches: such persons as the Apostles did admit into Gospel Churches are fit to be admitted into them, but they admitted many that had not a thorough work of Regeneration. Indeed by the rule that God has given for admissions, if it be carefully attended, more Unconverted persons will be admitted than Converted. Mr. Cotton saith, let Ministers use as much diligence & vigilancy as well they may, yet such is the dimness of discerning in humane frailty, and such is the subtlety of many hypocrites, that it may be Ninety nine hypocrites may creep into the Church to one simple sheep of Christ. Hol. of Ch. M. p. 67. and Preached it in Boston, That it would be well if at the day of judgment ten men in a Church were saved.
But the minor is utterly denyed: Some Unsanctifyed persons are fit to be admitted Members in particular Churches, they that are fit matter for Church Membership, are to be admitted: but visible Saints tho' they are hypocrites, are fit matter for Church Membership: they that are to be admitted according to the Ordinance of God are fit to be admitted. Such as must be admitted or else God will be greatly offended, are fit to be admitted: Such as being admitted may not be cast out, are fit to be admitted. But thus it is with visible Saints: though they have not a thorow work of Conversion; such persons as God himself did admit into the Church of Israel, are fit to be admitted into Gospel