N01147:42
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.
They say, He that comes for any of the Vanities of the World, is no Righteous Proselyte. It seems by the Prophet Ezekiel, the Jews were grown remiss in their admitting Proselytes, and for this the Lord was offended with them. If the Lord was displeased with those Ministers, who brought into his Sanctuary men uncircumcised in Flesh, & uncircumcised in Heart, most certainly, He is not pleased with those Ministers under the New Testament, who would admit either Unbaptized or Unregenerate persons to his Holy Table. The Church is Gods Sanctuary. Unregenerate persons are Uncircumcised in Heart: The Holy God is offended with those Ministers that would fill his Church and his Table with persons which they themselves think are Uncircumcised in Heart. Moreover, We read in the Old Testament, That Porters were set at the Gates of the House of the Lord, that none who were Unclean in any thing should enter in, 2 Chron. 23. 19. Was not the Temple a Type of the Visible, as well as of the Invisible Church? Did not this signify, that Officers in the Churches should be careful ⟨p. 15⟩that those who are Morally Unclean, either as to their Conversations, as Scandalous persons are, or as to their State, as Unregenerate men are, ought not to have the Church Doors set open to them? There are other Scriptures in the Old Testament inhibiting under severe Penalties, such as were Ceremonially Unclean from partaking of Holy Ordinances, Lev. 7. 20. The Soul that eats of the Flesh of the Sacrifice of Peace Offerings that pertain unto the Lord, having his Uncleanness upon him, that Soul shall be cut off from his People. Have not all Unregenerate persons their Uncleanness upon them? Is not the Lords Supper a Commemoration of a Blessed Sacrifice? Then this awful Commination concerns them, if they shall presume to Eat of that Sacrifice! We read particularly that such as were unclean might not Eat the Passover, Numb. 9. 6. Ezra 6. 21. Joh. 18. 28. Does not this Typify that they who are Unclean either in course of Life or in State, should not come to the Lord's Supper? To this Mr. S. Answers, That the Ordinance, of the Old Testament, were not Types of the Ordinances of the New-Testament. Surely, He knows that all Divines who have Written on the Types affirm what he denies, he had need to bring some solid reason, for the Refutation