N01147:19
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.
When Mr. Blake Published a Discourse, in which he maintains, that a Doctrinal Faith without a Justifying Faith, gives right to the Sacrament; Mr. Baxter said of him, If he be angry at my speaking these things, I cannot help it; I am bound to tell him as a Faithful Brother, that I doubt God is angry at his Doctrine, & the great Wrong he does the Church of God thereby. So say I to Mr. S. I believe that by his Sermon, he has grieved the Holy Spirit of God in the Hearts of many of his Children; and that he has pleased and gratified the Spirit of the ⟨image ?⟩World. If Blessed Cotton, Eliot, Mitchel & other Servants of the Lord, once among us, but now among the Spirits of Just men made Perfect, were still Living on the Earth, how would they be grieved to see such a Sermon Printed in New-England! But God for Wise and Holy Ends, has left this Brother to unhappy Mistakes. And there have been men of Eminent Piety, and in Learning much beyond him and me, and that in Serviceableness to the Interest of Christianity in the world, have far Excelled us both, who nevertheless have been left to greater Errors, than any thing Published in Mr. S. his Sermon, or in his Discourse of Instituted Churches; or in his Plea for Tithes. I might Instance in Tatian (who was Justin Martyrs Scholar) and in Origen Bardasenes, and Tertullian. Nor are any of the Fathers (as they use to be called) who have written much, free from mistakes; and some of them great ones. Austin (then whom there was not a greater among them) Published a Book of Retractions. So did Mr. Baxter, not long before he went unto his Everlasting Rest. In which Book, I perceived by Discourse with him a few Weeks before his Decease, he took great satisfaction. It would be no Dishonour to the Name of that great Man, if he had written more Retractions.
But let us abide in the Truth. The Lord help us all, especially those of us who are (as I am) hastening out of the World, To hold fast that we have, that no Man take our Crown.
But let us abide in the Truth. The Lord help us all, especially those of us who are (as I am) hastning out of the World, To hold fast that we have, that no Man take our Crown.