N01201:60
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.
IF the Sacrament were a Converting Ordinance, and that therefore Unregenerate Persons should come to it in order to their being Converted, there would doubtless be some promise or some example recorded in the Scripture of person• ⟨p. 24⟩so Converted for the encouragement of others. But there is neither Promise nor Example.
Answ. Both parts of this argument are to be denied. And there is very little said for the proof of either.
Answ. Both parts of this argument are to be denyed. And there is very little said for the proof of either.
1. I deny the Consequence. It may be a Converting Ordinance, though there be neither promise nor example. I may argue as well, that if there be no promise in the word of the Edification of Saints annexed to it, nor any Example of Saints edified thereby, then it is no Ordinance for the Edification of Saints. Yea I may as well argue that there is no promise of converting Grace, annexed to circumcision, nor any Example of Persons Converted by it, therefore that was no Ordinance for Conversion. But there be other things that do show it to be a converting Ordinance, as the command given to the Church, which doth consist partly of men Converted, partly of men Unconverted, to attend this Ordinance. 1 Cor. 11.24, 25. This do in remembrance of me, &c.
1. I deny the Consequence. It may be a Converting Ordinance, though there be neither promise nor example. I may argue as well, that if there be no promise in the word of the Edification of Saints annexed to it, nor any Example of Saints edifyed thereby, then it is no Ordinance for the Edification of Saints. Yea I may as well argue that there is no promise of converting Grace, annexed to circumcision, nor any Example of Persons Converted by it, therefore that was no Ordinance for Conversion. But there be other things that do shew it to be a converting Ordinance, as the command given to the Church, which doth consist partly of men Converted, partly of men Unconverted, to attend this Ordinance.