N01147:119
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.
This (says my Learned Author) is the more to be taken notice of, because it is so exact as to correspond to a single Day, an accuracy not elsewhere to be observed in the Prophetical Writings.
But to proceed; When the Reign of Antichrist is Expired, a Glorious Reign of Christ will take place, and prevail in the World. To Anti-christs Reign, there is allowed Forty Two Months; or which is the same, a Time, Times, and Half a Time: or (which is also the same) ⟨p. 95⟩1•60 Prophetical Days. All the Difficulty is, to find the Time when the Ten-Horned Beast began his Reign. Concerning this, the Infallible Oracle has given us a Character, Rev. 17. 12. The Ten Horns which thou sawest, are Ten Kings; which have received no Kingdom as yet: but receive Power as Kings one Hour with the Beast. If we can find when there were Ten Distinct Kingdoms in the Roman Empire, we are to reckon the Beasts Reign from that very Hour. Of these Kings, Cluverius, Mede, Lee, and of late, Monsieur Jurieu, and Dr. Allix, have Written. They did not at all rise at once, but Gradually. Nor are we to count from the appearance of the First King, but of the Last. Now as the Empire, in respect of its Real Power and Complete (d)Authority, ceased at the Death of Valentine III. which was Anno Dom. 455. So in the Year, 456. all the Ten Kings did plainly appear. I do not Write these things for the Information of Learned Men, who have addicted themselves to Apocalyptical Studies: But it may be it will be a Satisfaction to some Readers, to see when these Ten Kingdoms began. I shall therefore mention the Year of their Rising, and the Names of every one of these Kings. (e)1. The Kingdom of the Greeks began, Anno Dom. 337. under Marcianus their King. 2. The Kingdom of the Romans, Anno Dom. 402. under Avitus their King. 3. The Kingdom of the Suevi, Anno Dom. 409. under Rioiarius their King. 4. The Kingdom of the Burgundians, Anno Dom. 413. under Gunderious their