N01147:16
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.
Another Particular in his Preface, which has given Offence, is, The Conclusion of it, desiring ⟨image ?⟩the Reader, Not to act like those, who told the Prophet, As for the Word which thou hast spoken to us in the Name of the Lord, we will not hearken to thee. But is he a Prophet Divinely Inspired? Is the not hearkening to his New, and Singular Notions, which are Contradictory not only to the Doctrine taught by the Former Ministers in New-England, (Prophets if ever there were any among us) but also by the whole Body of Protestant Divines in the most Reformed Churches, a Sin like that of the Jew, who regarded not what the Inspired Prophet delivered to them in the Name of the Lord. When we are satisfied that his New Doctrine is according to the Word of the Lord, we will readily hearken to it, and say as a great Man among the Reformers did, Veniat, Veniat verbum Dei, et si nobis Essent Sexcenta colla, Subijceremus. In the mean time, we shall endeavour to Examine all things, and hold fast that which is good. There have been some who by reading the Books of their Antagonists, have been brought over to their Persuasion. Vergerius took Calvins Institutions into his hands purposing a Confutation of it, but was himself confuted by it. Dr. Owen designed an Answer to Mr. Cottons Book of the Keys, but upon a serious consideration of it, declared himself to be of the same judgment. Mr. Robinson (a Worthy Divine) by a Book which Dr. Ames Wrote against some of his Opinions, was brought off from his Rigidity in divers Points, Lately in Holland, a Learned man whose Name was Christopher Christopher, Published a Book in which he ascribes to Angels things Peculiar to the Holy and Eternal Spirit. Dr. Witsius, now Professor of Divinity in the University of London, ⟨image ?⟩Wrote against him, and he was thereby Reduced from his Errors. I Expect no such thing from Mr. S. He that has slighted Mr. Gillespies Arguments, will doubtless do so by mine. Yet would it be no Dishonour for him to change his Opinion, Nullus pudor ad mepiora transire. However, I hope that by this Collision the Truth will gain, and the Churches be more Established, in an adherence to the Doctrine which they have according to the Word of the Lord, been Taught by those Blessed men, who now rest from their Labours.
Another Particular in his Preface, which has given Offence, is, The Conclusion of it, desiring ⟨image ?⟩