N01147:108
A dissertation, wherein the strange doctrine lately published in a sermon, the tendency of…
A dissertation, wherein the strange doctrine lately published in a sermon, the tendency of which, is, to encourage unsanctified persons (while such) to approach the holy table of the Lord, is examined and confuted. With an appendix, showing what Scripture ground there is to hope, that within a very few years there will be a glorious reformation of the church throughout the world. / By I. Mather, D.D. ; [Six lines of Scripture texts]A dissertation, wherein the strange doctrine lately published in a sermon, the tendency of which, is, to encourage unsanctified persons (while such) to approach the holy table of the Lord, is examined and confuted. With an appendix, shewing what Scripture ground there is to hope, that within a very few years there will be a glorious reformation of the church throughout the world. / By I. Mather, D.D. ; [Six lines of Scripture texts]
Boston: printed by B. Green for Benj. Eliot, 1708
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.
IT is reasonable that all Mr. S. reasons for his new Tenet, should be weighed in ⟨p. 81⟩the balance of the Sanctuary. He objects, That there is no certain Knowledge who has Sanctifying Grace; and that if only Godly men were to be admitted to Communion, there is not Knowledge enough on the Earth in order to the Practice of it. If the Church were only to receive those that are Converted, God would have given a certain Rule, whereby Converted Men might be discovered from those that are Unconverted: To this purpose he speaks, p. 14, 15, 23. A Solution to this Objection may be given, [Greek or Hebrew] by Proposing another Objection for himself to answer. He maintains, That none but such as have a Dogmatical and Historical Faith, may come to the Sacrament. Heterodox or Heretical Persons erring in any Fundamental Article of the Christian Religion, may not come: Then according to his Notion, there must be a certain Rule whereby it may be discerned what mens inward Sentiments, and the belief of their Hearts is, Whether they do not speak falsely, when they say, That they believe such Articles of the Christian Faith, as they pretend to believe. Julian before his open Apostasy Professed, that he believed all the Doctrines of Christianity, because he thought he should not obtain the Empire without such a Profession. But afterwards he declared, That he never believed ⟨p. 82⟩any of them. Arius Pretended, and by an Oath made others think, that he believed the Deity of our Saviour, that so he might have Communion with the Churches. And yet all was a deceit, he believed it not. If then only Orthodox Christians must be admitted to the Lords Supper, There is not (as Mr. S. Speaks) Knowledge enough on Earth to order our Practice in this matter. Let him answer this, and he will answer his own Objection concerning our Ignorance, of the Spiritual Estate of men, whether they have true Saving Grace or no. No doubt he will say, If men are Knowing, and Profess they believe the Principles of true Religion, and do not Profess any Error that is inconsistent therewith; the Rule requires that Churches who cannot Know the hearts, and inward Persuasions of men, should accept of their outward Profession. And why then should we not believe, That men that give us an account of their Conversion, & whose Conversations are outwardly blameless and holy, are really according to what they seem to be? If Mr.