N01201:69
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.
My answer was and is, that the Lords Supper is a Converting Ordinance, only for Church Members and not for other men. He hath three objections against my answer. One is, that it is an odd one. I hope it is not criminal to give an odd ⟨p. 27⟩answer, and if so, let it go for an odd one. The second is, that it is new of mine own invention. It is no sufficient ground to reject his notions because they are other mens, or to reject mine because they are my own: it is for God to reveal his mind to any whom he pleases: but the main objection is, That I do not prove it.
I shall now further vindicate that answer, that it is for the Conversion of orderly Church Members, by laying down three Propositions, which Mr. M. himself will own.
1. The efficacy of the Lords Supper does depend upon the blessing of God. What ever tendency Ordinances have in their own nature to be Serviceable to men, yet they will not prevail any further than God doth bless them. The weapons of our warfare are mighty through God, 2 Cor. 10.4. It is God that teaches men to profit, and makes them profitable and serviceable to mens Souls.