N01147:58
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.
CHAP. IV.
The Fourth Argument mentioned. There is in Scripture no Promise of Conversion by the Sacrament, nor Example of any One Person Converted thereby. The Pretences which some have made about this matter are Mistakes. A man may Possibly be Converted at the Administration of the Lords Supper, and yet not Converted by it. That may be an Occasion of Conversion, which is not appointed to be a Converting Ordinance.
Judicious Divines have reasoned thus, If the Sacrament were a Converting Ordinance, and that therefore Unregenerate Persons should come to it in order to their being Converted, there would doubtless be some Promise, or some Example recorded in the Scripture of Person, so Converted, for the Encouragement of others. But this there is not: There are Promises that the Word of God shall be blessed for the Conversion of his Elect, Psal. 110. 2. Isa. 52. 15. & 55. 12. But there is no promise of Conversion annexed to the Sacrament, which supposeth ⟨p. 31⟩Conversion. Another Ordinance is spoken of as the Ordinary means appointed for Conversion, viz. The Preaching of the Gospel, Rom. 10. 14. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. If Faith should come by partaking at the Lords Table, would rather come by Seeing then by Hearing, which the Scripture says not. Nor is there any example there, of Faith ingenerated by the Sacrament. Mr. Prin confidently affirms that many have been Converted by the Sacrament, and that they had never been Converted, if for their scandalous Lives they had been debarred from that Ordinance. Mr. Gillespy