N01147:162
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.
3. Strange unaccountable Impressions on the Spirits of men do declare that His Name is near; for God doth Spirit men according to what he designs to bring to pass in the World. He doth raise up Instruments, & Spirit them for that Work, that He hath designed them unto. So that this or that Instrument, whom God will make use of, shall be strangely Inclined to engage in such a Work, and all the World shall not dissuade the Man from being concerned in that Work God Spirits him unto. Thus when God delivered His People of old, by Othniel and Gideon. It is said, The Spirit of the Lord came upon them. He filled them with Courage & Resolution, that venture they would, God & His Angels were with them, & Spirit them, in those great undertaking. Soul in the beginning of his Reign ⟨p. 124⟩did well, he was an Instrument to deliver the Nation from Arbitrary Power, which the Ammonites did exercise over them, God did wonderfully Spirit Him for that Service. It is said I Sam. 11. 6. That the Spirit of God came upon Saul, and then he was full of indignation & Zeal to deliver the Children of Israel from those that did oppress them, This now was the Finger of God. And the Lord doth not only Spirit a few choice Instruments whom He singles out to do His Work by, but He doth Influence the Spirits of Men generally after a strange manner. There are sometimes unaccountable Impressions on the Spirits of the Multitude Inclining to do what God has decreed shall be done, which declare that His Name is near. A very strange thing it was that the Egyptians should show kindness to the Children of Israel; that they who were their Inveterate Enemies, should furnish them with Gold, & Jewels: but the hand of God was in it, Exod. 11. 3. God gave them favour in the eyes of the Egyptians. God shows His Sovereignty most eminently, by His Ruling in the Hearts, and over the Spirits of Men, Psal. 29. 10. God sits upon the Floods, He sits King forever! He overrules the Tumultuous Spirits of men, so that they shall be biassed and inclined to the very Thing, that Heaven hath appointed to bring to pass. When Gods time was come to set David in the Throne, the Spirit of the Nation generally was Inclined to make David their King. Such Things as these mentioned are intimations to us of the Lords Name being near. Thus have you heard the Doctrine explained and confirmed, in the Particulars, which have been Insisted on: