N00426:71
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
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.
And the Scripture owns none for Disciples but such as this character was deemed to belong unto. Again, Let us Look upon the Materials of the Ancient, Primitive, Apostolical Churches; 'tis undeniable, that they are to be patterns to us. Now, Rotten Timber was not willingly laid in the Foundation of those Churches; but they thought it their ⟨p. 36⟩concern to turn away from such as had only, A Form of Godliness; and if there were ill-men among them, we are told, They crept in privily and unawares. Concerning those Churches, we read, in 1 Cor. 14. 33. They were Churches of Saints; but unless men have upon them the Tokens of a Real Sanctity, 'tis more than a Real Absurdity to esteem them so. Indeed, there were foul miscarriages that some of them which had been reputed Saints, fell into; but God forbid, that we should count the Churches made up of such Transgressors. What were the Church-members at Rome; but such as, From the Heart had obeyed the Form of Doctrine delivered to them? What were the Church-members at Cori••th; but such as were washed and sanctified and justified? What were the Church members at Galatia, but such as had the Spirit of the Son of God, sent into their Hearts? What were the Church members at Ephesus; but such as Trusted in Christ, and were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise? Or the Church-Members at Philippi, but such as one might be confident, had a good work begun in them? Or, the Church members at Colossi, but such as were made meet to be partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in light? What were the Thessalonian Church-Members, but such as had Turned unto God, from Idols, and received the ⟨p. 37⟩Word as the Word of God, which effectually wrought in them? Or, the Church-members among the Hebrews, but those concerning whom, one might be• persuaded of the Things which accompany Salvation? But I am weary with quoting. Indeed, A Church (as the Greek Name for it allows us to think) is to consist of people called out from the ways of sin, by the powerful and effectual work of God upon their Souls. A main Design of Church-Fellowship, is to represent unto the world, who those are, that the Lord Jesus will have to ascend into the Hill of the Lord, and to stand in His Holy place for ever. A Church is a combined multitude of True Believers; that is the Famosius Significatum of the Name.