N01147:25
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.
He thinks, that the Tenth part of the City, spoken of, Rev. 11. 13. is fallen, and that it fell when Constantinople was taken, A. D. 1453. That the Seven Thousand Names of men, were the Eastern Nominal Christians: That the Dead Bodies of the Slain Witnesses, were the Calixtines in Bohemia, who complied with the Papists. He says, that the Witnesses are Risen long ago; that they Rose A. D. 1516. A World of such Fancies he has; the Recitation whereof is a sufficient Refutation of them. If the Resurrection of the Witnesses was past so long ago, how is it that there have been since that, such General Slaughters of the Witnesses? Alstaedius observes, that in the Space of Forty Years, from the Year 1540. the Papists Slew and Martyred, no less than Nine Hundred Thousand Protestants. Have not the Witnesses in these late Years been Slain in France, Piedmont, Hungary and in some Provinces in Germany? Not to speak of other Lands.
He thinks, that the Tenth part of the City, spoken of, Rev. 11. 13. is fallen, and that it fell when Constantinople was taken, A. D. 1453. That the Seven Thousand Names of men, were the Eastern Nominal Christians: That the Dead Bodies of the Slain Witnesses, were the Calixtines in Bobemia, who complied with the Papists. He says, that the Witnesses are Risen long ago; that they Rose A. D. 1516. A World of such Phansies he has; the Recitation whereof is a sufficient Refutation of them. If the Resurrection of the Witnesses was past so long agô, how is it that there have been since that, such General Slaughters of the Witnesses? Alstaedius observes, that in the Space of Forty Years, from the Year 1540. the Papists Slew and Martyred, no less than Nine Hundred Thousand Protestants. Have not the Witnesses in these late Years been Slain in France, Piedmont, Hungary and in some Provinces in Germany? Not to speak of other Lands.
In the Appendix, I have mentioned that which of all Conjectures, when the Year of Anti-christs Reign will Expire, seems to me the most probable. It is not good to be Over-positive in the Computation of Times, since although' the Scripture cannot Deceive us, Historians may. I remember that in Discourse with Mr. Beverly in London, about his 1697. He told me, that he did no more Doubt, whether his Conception in that matter would prove Solid, Than he Questioned whether Tomorrow would come after to Day. Yet he Lived to see himself mistaken, as to the main of what he then expected. And indeed when men are Extraordinary Confident in their Notions, they are usually Deceived. Mr. Jurieu speaks of his Interpretation of the Vials, with the greatest Confidence, yet I humbly conceive, That therein he has missed it, more than in any of his Expositions.