N00426:389
A companion for communicants. Discourses upon the nature, the design, and the subject of…
A companion for communicants. Discourses upon the nature, the design, and the subject of the Lords Supper; with devout methods of preparing for, and approaching to that blessed ordinance. / By Cotton Mather, Pastor of a church at Boston. ; [Seven lines from Augustine]
Boston: printed by Samuel Green for Benjamin Harris, 1690
DEVOTIONS At the SUPPER of the LORD; With Some Touches upon the con… › The Close of all.
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.
Preaching Elders that Rule well, are not worthy of double Honour, unless they labour in the Word and Doctrine.
But there are Elders who Rule well, that are worthy of double Honour, tho' they do not Labour in the Word and Doctrine.
Therefore there are Elders, that Rule well, who are not Preaching Elders, that is, who are but Ruling Elders only.
May our Churches then every where, look out, for Prudent, Gracious, Humble men; who may have a particular care incumbent on them, about the Admission and Exclusion of Members; to inspect the Way and Walk of all the Communicants; to prevent all Beginnings of Divisions and Contentions; to warn all persons unto the Duties more peculiarly pertinent unto their Circumstances, by a personal Instruction from House to House: to visit the Sick, the poor, the Tempted, & the Persecuted; to inform the Ministers about the state of the Flock from Time to Time; and to consult with them about all the Affairs of the Society, over which they do preside. Surely, our Churches would flourish more, if these Officers were less wanting in them!