N01147:21
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.
As for the Quotations, in the subsequent Discourse, they are not mentioned as tho' the Cause did at all depend on Humane Authorities. To the Law and to the Testimony, if they speak not according ⟨image ?⟩to that, there is no light in them. But for two Reasons, I have thought it necessary to produce them. One is, That so the Churches may see, that the impleaded Doctrine is a New, Up-start, Singular Opinion. And the other is, Because several of the Authors cited, Confirm what they Assert with Solid and Irrefutable Arguments. In the mean time, they who have given out, That there is nothing but the Judgment of Authors, can be brought to Confute the Novel Doctrine, will here see that, and themselves too, Confuted from clear Scripture and plain Reasons.
Mr. S. his Sermon is a Melancholy Subject, since it tends to the Deformation of these Churches. I was the rather willing to Conclude my Dissertation, with a Comfortable Appendix, relating to the Great Reformation of the Churches in Europe, now (I hope) at the Door. It will (I doubt not) shortly appear, whether the design of Providence in Planting Churches in New-England, was not (according to Mr. Brightmans Prophesy, and as other Eminent men have Conjectured) to show unto the World a Specimen, of what shall more Generally obtain in the Glorious Times Approaching.
Mr. S. his Sermon is a Melancholy Subject, since it tends to the Deformation of these Churches. I was the rather willing to Conclude my Dissertation, with a Comfortable Appendix, relating to the Great Reformation of the Churches in Europe, now (I hope) at the Door. It will (I doubt not) shortly appear, whether the design of Providence in Planting Churches in New-England, was not (according to Mr. Brightmans Prophesy, and as other Eminent men have Conjectured) to shew unto the World a Specimen, of what shall more Generally obtain in the Glorious Times Approaching.