N01201:94
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.
Some Divines don't distinguish between Regenerate men, and Professors of good Conversation. Whereas it is evident that men may be very conscientious, & have considerable operations of the Spirit of God upon their hearts, that are not Savingly Converted. Indeed the World has had but little distinct understanding about the work of Conversion, until some latter Divines at Boston: Norton, Hooker, Shepherd, & some others have held forth light; there was great darkness about the way of Conversion. By this discourse it may appear how little dependence, we can have on the judgments of Learned and good men; and in our reading must carefully distinguish between the chaff & the wheat.
Some Divines don't distinguish between Regenerate men, and Professours of good Conversation. Whereas it is evident that men may be very conscientious, & have considerable operations of the Spirit of God upon their hearts, that are not Savingly Converted. Indeed the World has had but little distinct understanding about the work of Conversion, until some latter Divines at Boston: Norton, Hooker, Shephard, & some others have held forth light; there was great darkness about the way of Conversion. By this discourse it may appear how little dependance, we can have on the judgments of Learned and good men; and in our reading must carefully distinguish between the chaff & the wheat.
5. Many Divines are of the same opinion with my self. I mentioned Wendeline in my Sermon; and whereas Mr. Mather faith, there is one Calvinist of my mind, he may see if he have the Book by him, that Wendeline doth not only affirm, That the Sacraments of confirmation may organically begin Faith: but adds, That this is the Orthodox Opinion, he Means, the Opinion of the Calvinists. Exer. 81. pag. 1311. & 12. Mr. Blake has written at large also for this, and has answered Mr. Gillespy's twenty arguments. ⟨p. 37⟩Mr. John Humphrey Minister of From, has written three Books in defence of this Opinion. Mr. John Timson also: he was no Minister, but his Book gave good satisfaction to many Ministers in Gloucestershire, as Mr. Humphrey reports. Beza D. Presh. & Excom. p. 23. lays down these two rules. 1. That the Supper is instituted for Disciples. 2. That all such as profess Christ tho' hypocrites are disciples. So Mr. Th. Hooker in his Survey. p. 41, 42.