N01147:161
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. When we see, That God is removing these Things out of the way, that would obstruct the Accomplishment of His Promises we may then conclude, that His Name is near, 1 Sam. 3. 12. When I begin, I will also make an end; saith the Lord. When God doth begin in a way of Judgment towards His Enemies, He is wont to go on in that way, and work, as sure as He begins He will make an End. Hence the Scripture speaks of the beginning of revenges, on the Enemy, Deut. 32. 42. So when God does begin in a way of Mercy towards His People, He is wont to go on, in that way. Now God usually begins His Work by removing those Things, that stand in His way, by strange Providences He doth remove them. He doth cause Earth-Quakes, which make Mountains to fall down before Him, Zech. 4 7. What art thou O great Mountain! Thou shalt be made a plain before Zerubbabel. There was a Baby lexian Mountain; God made it a Plain, that His people might be delivered. There was a […] Mountain, that did oppose their going on ⟨p. 123⟩with the Building of the Temple. God made that Mountain to fall down before Him. There are Things that obstruct, & there are Persons which obstruct the Work of God, & commonly the greatest in the World are the chief obstructers thereof. But now when Gods time is come to save His People, He takes them out of the way, and thereby shows what He is about to do. When Gods Time was come that David must be seated on the Throne, Saul must die. & Abner die, & Ishbosheth also, these were admirable Providences, that so way might be made for God to perform what he had Promised unto David. And when the Children of Israel, were near their Deliverance, God removed their chief Enemies. There was Pharaoh the King of Egypt to oppose, but him did the Lord dethrone. The Prophet Habakkuk takes notice of it, Hab. 3. 13 When thou wentest out for Salvation to thy People, thou didst wound the Head, in the house of the Wicked. Was not Pharaoh that Head in the House of the Wicked? When we see such Things in the World, when we see God Wounding, & drowning the Pharaohs of the World, in the Red-Sea of His Wrath, we may Conclude that His Name is near.