N01147:152
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.
2. This is evident from, The Stability, and Immutability of the Divine Decrees. Psal. 33. 11. The Counsel of the Lord shall stand for ever, & the Thoughts of his Heart unto all Generations. What God hath Promised, He hath certainly Purposed to perform, His Promise is the effect and declarative of his Decree. The Purpose of God shall stand, yea, and it shall stand forever. Men do oftentimes purpose & change their mind, but God doth not so. Therefore the Apostle speaks of the Immutability of his Counsel, Heb. 6. 17. When men 'purpose, & do not accomplish what they intended, the reason of their not doing of it, is either for want of Wisdom or of Power; many times for want of Wisdom, because they did not at first see the inconveniency of such a Resolution, which they have taken up, therefore upon second thoughts that are wiser they change their minds, but God is Infinitely Wise, and therefore, He doth not change His Mind. The Decrees of God are so wise, as that wiser cannot possibly be, and thence they are Immutable. And as for the Power of God you heard, that was Infinite, and therefore His Purposes and consequently His Promises must needs hold good. Hence Samuel said to Saul, 1 Sam. 15. 29. The Strength of Israel, is not as a man that He should repent, as for what God hath spoken of Ruin to come on the House of Saul, He will not Repent of it, and as for what God hath promised concerning David, and his House, He will not change His mind, for if He should, that would Argue Weakness in Him, whenas He is the Strength of Israel, the Strength of Israel will not change His mind. The Decrees of God are in Zech. 6. compared to mountains of Brass, the Prophet there sees Four Chariots which came from between two Mountains of Brass, signifying the Judgments of God coming upon His Enemies, in order unto the deliverance of His People, ⟨p. 117⟩and these Judgments are but the effects of the Decrees of God, compared to Mountains of Brass, for that they cannot be removed, or Frustrated.
2. This is evident from, The Stability, and Immutability of the Divine Decrees.