N01147:172
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.
1. We are to be Cautioned against being Perc••ptory, and Particular in our Timing of Future Events. Some Good men have been so, by whose Mistakes, Atheists ⟨p. 131⟩and Adversaries of the Truth have been Hardened in their Infidelity. A Jesuit writing on the Revelation does bitterly Insult over Mr. Brightman, because of his Mistaking in some Apocalyptical Computations. When men who are disaffected see those who have been mighty Confident in their Timing future Events, deceived, they conclude that all that has been Written about Prophesies, to be fulfilled in these last Days, is mere Phansy and Delusion. We may safely upon clear Scripture grounds affirm, that the Morning of the Great Day of Judgment is Near, but for any to fix on the Particular year, when that Day shall begin, is too much Boldness and Presumption. What the Holy Angels of Heaven, who will be Eminently concerned in the Glorious Transactions of that Day, know now concerning it, is not for us to say, but our Lord before his Ascension said, Of that Day and Hour knoweth no man, No, not the Angels which are in Heaven, neither the Son of Man, but the Father only, Mark 13. 32. Let not us Sinful Creatures, then take upon us, to Determine the Hour. when this shall be. Some who have done so, have Exposed themselves to just Censures, for their arrogant Rashness Again, We may boldly Assert, That Anti-christs Time is well nigh Expired. And Modest Conjectures, as to the Year of his fatal Overthrow, are to be Encouraged; but Peremptoriness therein, is not Commendable. It is very clear from the Scripture, that the Reign of Anti-christ, from first to last, shall not continue for more than a Time, Times, and Half a Time: or Forty Two Months; or Twelve Hundred & Sixty Prophetical Days; which are all the same. And I conceive that it is very clear from the Scripture, That Antichrists Reign begins from the time, when the Roman Empire being broken, Ten Kings rose up thereon, not Subject to the Power of Rome; as before all Princes in the Empire had been. The Ten Horns receive their Power as Kings, one Hour with the Beast, Rev 17 12. ⟨p. 132⟩This notwithstanding, we are in the Dark, as to the Particular Year, when the Ten Horned Beast began his Reign. For the Empire was not Dissolved, nor did the Ten Horns all appear, in one Day.