N01201:72
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. There is reason to hope for a divine blessing on the Lords Supper, when it is administered to those that it ought to be administered unto. Gods blessing is to be expected in Gods way: if men act according to their own humours & fancies, ⟨p. 28⟩and don't keep in a way of Obedience, it is presumption to expect Gods blessing. Mat. 15.9. In vain do they worship me teaching for Doctrines the Commandments of men: but when they are admitted to the Lords Supper that God would have to be admitted, there is ground to hope that he will make it profitable.
2. There is reason to hope for adivine blessing on the Lords Supper, when it is administred to those that it ought to be administred unto. Gods blessing is to be expected in Gods way: if men act according to their own humours & phansies, ⟨p. 28⟩and don't keep in a way of Obedience, it is presumption to expect Gods blessing. Mat. 15.9. In vain do they worship me teaching for Doctrines the Commandments of men: but when they are admitted to the Lords Supper that God would have to be admitted, there is ground to hope that he will make it profitable.
3. That it is Gods will that such as are in the judgment of rational Charity Believers, be admitted to the Lords Supper, tho' they be Unregenerate: God allows his Church to accept of such Unregenerate men as carry themselves so, that there is reason to look upon them to be Saints, he would not have his Church to admit those that are profane, that would be a great offence to him; but the Apostles did receive those that were to Charity Believers, and Churches now ought to receive such, what-ever they be in reality. From these things it is most apparent that the Lords Supper may be looked on a Converting Ordinance, for Church Members that carry orderly, yet not for profane Persons.