N01147:39
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 is to Examine himself about his Knowledge, whether he rightly understands what Christ is, what the Nature of the Sacrament is, what he doth in that Sacred Action; about his Faith, Love, Repentance, New Obedience, whether he be Such an One, as God hath Prepared that holy Table for, it is the Children's bread, & not for Dogs, a Table Christ hath Spread for His Friends, not for His Enemies. And so let him eat, having so Examined himself, not otherwise. Whence it appears, that neither Children in Age, nor Understanding, nor Persons nor in the use of their Reason, nor Unbelievers, nor Persons under the guilt of Sins not repented of, have any Right to the Lords Supper accordingly ⟨p. 10⟩was the Practice of all the Primitive Churches, and all Rightly Reformed Churches. This is sound Divinity, but not like Mr. S. his Sermon. The Name of Mr. Jeremiah Burroughs (who when a Student in Immanuel College, in the University of Cambridge, was our famous Mr. Hookers Pupil) is and ought to be Precious among the Churches in New-England. Because it is my design to endeavour the Establishment of the Churches in the Present Truth; I am willing to cause some Passages in an Excellent Book of that Gospel Preacher to be Transcribed. Thus he speaks: (d)This Ordinance, it is the Ordinance of Spiritual Nourishment, of eating the Flesh of Christ, & drinking his Blood in a Spiritual way. Now it must needs Suppose that first there must be Life, before there can be any Nourishment received in. If it be appointed to nourish and increase Grace, then surely there must be Grace before; What nourishment can a dead Child take? The very first thing that is to be done is nourishment here: The Word hath power to convey Life, and then to nourish, but we Read of no such thing here, but that which is to be done here, is presently to ⟨p. 11⟩feed, to Eat and to Drink, that is the End of the Sacrament; therefore it must be supposed, that thou must have Spiritual Life, there must come no Dead Soul to this Ordinance, but those who are quickened by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, they must come for nourishment. The act here required doth Note, That only those that are Holy & Godly can receive this Sacrament; we are required by the Apostle to Examine our Selves: To Examine our Selves of what?