N01147:50
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.
IF there were but one Scripture in all the Bible, that did clearly Contradict the ⟨p. 20⟩Strange Doctrine, the Confutation whereof I have (by the help of Christ) undertaken, that were sufficient, how much more when there are so many? Nevertheless, I hope some Readers will remember what they have received and heard, and be Confirmed in the Old Truths, if we proceed to some further Arguments, which are built on a Scripture Foundation.
I then in the second Place argue thus, They that are not duly Qualified to be Members of Particular Gospel Churches, are not fit to be admitted to the Lords Supper. This will be readily yielded, so that it is needless to spend time in the Proof of it. I will not deny but that persons may be admitted to Baptism on the account of their being of the Visible Church, which many are, tho' not in Fellowship with any Particular Church. This was the Judgment of our Famous Dr. Owen; as himself assured me, in Letters I had from him Forty Years ago, and I remember that in one of his Printed Books he affirms it. And that he is so far from confining Baptism to a particular Church, as that he does believe that no Member of a particular Church was ever regularly Baptised, because Baptism precedes Admission into a particular Church. Professing Believers and their Seed ⟨p. 21⟩have right to Baptism, whether they are of any particular Church or no, on the account of their Relation to the Catholic Visible Church. Certain it is, that the Apostles Baptised many who were not joined to any particular Church, as I have (k)else where many years ago more fully declared. But the Lords Supper may not be Administered to any, who are not Members of some particular Instituted Church: Nor indeed to them, except in a Church Assembly, 1 Cor. 11. 20. Papists allow the Dispensation of this Ordinance unlimited. They approve of Private Masses, supposing the Priest and one more to be enough for Administering the Eucharist. Episcopal Divines also allow of Private Communion. But Dr. Goodwin