N01201:65
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.
Mr. Mather's Fifth Argument.
This Argument is thus prefaced, That it is a clear confutation of what Mr. S. affirms: we will see it. If the Lords Supper be a converting Ordinance than profane Persons ought to be admitted to partake of it: but such are not to be admitted to the Lords Supper. He saith Mr. S. himself confesseth thus much. And it is very true, I wish I could say, that Mr. Mather did confess, that profane Persons might not be admitted to the Passover.
THis Argument is thus presaced, That it is a clear confutation of what Mr. S. affirms: we will see it. If the Lords Supper be a converting Ordinance than prophane Persons ought to be admitted to partake of it: but such are not to be admitted to the Lords Supper. He saith Mr. S. himself confesseth thus much. And it is very true, I wish I could say, that Mr. Mather did confess, that prophane Persons might not be admitted to the Passover.
I utterly deny his Consequence. His reason for it is, That we may not withhold from the profanest person in the world, that which is appointed to be the means of his Conversion. But his consequence is as strong as a rope of Sand: May we not as well argue that if Baptism be a Converting Ordinance, we should Baptize the Indians, and other Heathens, as John Hircanus did compel the Edomites to be circumcised.
I utterly deny his Consequence. His reason for it is, That we may not withold from the prophanest person in the world, that which is appointed to be the means of his Conversion. But his consequence is as strong as a rope of Sand: May we not as well argue that if Baptism be a Converting Ordinance, we should Baptize the Indians, and other Heathens, as John Hircanus did compel the Edomites to be circumcised.