N00254:305
Practical truths tending to promote the power of godliness
Practical truths tending to promote the power of godliness: wherein several important duties, are urged, and the evil of divers common sins, is evinced; delivered in sundry sermons. / By Increase Mather, teacher of a church at Boston in New-England. ; [Ten lines of Scripture texts]
printed by Samuel Green upon assignment of Samuel Sewall, 1682
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.
Consider 3. That true Believers may be guilty in this matter.
They may eat and drink unworthily at the Lords Table. For there is not only an unworthiness in respect of state, which hypocrites and unregenerate persons are subject unto; but an unworthiness in respect of actual indisposition, and present unpreparedness, for such an holy and near approach before the Lord. A sincere Servant of God, that maketh Conscience to prepare his heart to seek the Lord; sometimes is not cleansed, according to the purification which is required of those that enter into the Sanctuary, 2 Chron 30. 19. And on that account, they may be exposed unto severe outward Judgements. So did the Corinthians find it. Such of them as shall not be condemned to the second death, with the Reprobate World at the last day, were judged and chastened of the Lord, in respect of great outward Afflictions; yea, death as to their bodies because they […] drink at the Lords Table, with an unworthy and unsuitable frame of spirit. I Cor. 11. 32. For this cause also, true Believers are […] exercised with it ward as well as outward troubles; with miserable darkness in their own Souls concerning their spiritual and eternal estates. Did they come with hearts duly prepared into the Lords Sanctuary, great Joy would follow, 2 Chron. 30.26.
They may eat and drink unworthily at the Lords Table. For there is not only an unworthiness in respect of state, which hypocrites and unregenerate persons are subject unto; but an unworthiness in respect of actual indisposition, and present unpreparedness, for such an holy and near approach before the Lord. A sincere Servant of God, that maketh Conscience to prepare his heart to seek the Lord; sometimes is not cleansed, according to the purification which is required of those that enter into the Sanctuary, 2 Chron 30. 19