N01147:111
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.
Cottons Arguments, whereby he proves that Particular Churches ought to consist of those who are in Judgment of charitable discretion, Regenerate Persons, and declares his concurrence with what Mr. Norton has on that subject Written, in his Answer to Domine Appollony. There is lately Published by a Dutch Minister in Leiden, with the approbation of a Classis, a Catechism, in which is this Question, For whom is the Lords Supper Instituted? Ans. For them only who are truly Penitent. And ⟨p. 87⟩this Question, Who should keep themselves away from the Table of the Lord? Ans. Hypocrites, and they that do not truly Repent. Thus does the Catechism of the Reformed Churches, instruct their People in Principles directly contrary to Mr. S. his Sermon. But as for the Lutheran Churches in Denmark, Sweedland, and in Germany, they are horribly guilty of profaning the Sacrament. That learned, and Holy Man Dr. Pareus, told them, that he did not Wonder at the Judgments of God, which were upon them, when he considered how the Lords Table was profaned by unworthy Communicants. And must such Churches as these be mentioned to upbraid the Churches in New-England, for their strictness in Admission to the Lords Table? Must the practice of the Church of England be likewise produced, when our Fathers left a pleasant land, and came into a Vast & Wast Wilderness, for no other reason, but that so they might have a purer Discipline & Churches, then what in their Native Land they had then (although' through the Favour of God, their Successors have now) Liberty to enjoy. Where will the degeneracy end? If there are but two or three Godly men in a Parish, (as Mr. S. speaks) must we have Churches gathered, and the Body of the People admitted ⟨p. 88⟩to the Lords Table, when there are but two or three among them fit to be there? If it should come to be generally so, the Holy Lord will go far off from his Sanctuaries, and remove these once Golden Candlesticks out of their places, which the Mercy of Heaven avert. Mr. S. concludes with telling us, that Wendeline acknowledgeth, that Sacraments may be Instrumental in beginning Faith: 'Tis well if he has one Calvinian Divine on his side. It is true that the Learned Man by him mentioned, does in several of his Exercitations against the Lutherans own, that Sacraments may be the Organs of Grace, but then he adds that they are, not Physical, only Moral Organs of it.