An Apology and Vindication, or, the Practice, and Binding Obligation

July 01, 2016James Dodson

1783-John Howie.-This work, is largely the results of Howie’s research, which engages with a particular controversy in the Anti-Burgher Secession Church, purports to be the united efforts and combinations of four committees of “Lifters”. The gist of the argument, set against the case of David Smyton and the so-called “Lifters”, canvases history, theology and practice to show that the proper mode of administering the Lord’s supper requires “lifting” the elements while the prayer of sacramental consecration is made. Smyton argued that, in the consecration of the elements of the Lord’s supper, the bread and wine are elevated (hence, “Lifters”), and that this is part of the proper mode of distributing the elements of the sacrament. Smyton’s rival was the very learned Anti-Burgher Seceder, Adam Gib. The author, or authors, of this, the largest pamphlet produced during this controversy, sees this as matter of applying the Regulative Principle. As he works his way through the argument must discuss terms of communion, the use of communion tokens, and many ancillary topics.