N01147:70
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.
Although' there may be, and often is a New Discovery of Old Truths, on ⟨p. 37⟩which account every Doctrine which may to some seem New, is not to be rejected as Erroneous. Nevertheless, such Notions as are really Novel, and Singular, should be Examined before they be received. I proceed therefore to a sixth Argument, which shall be this;
ALtho' there may be, and often is a New Discovery of Old Truths, on ⟨p. 37⟩which account every Doctrine which may to some seem New, is not to be rejected as Erroneous. Nevertheless, such Notions as are really Novel, and Singular, should be Examined before they be received. I proceed therefore to a sixth Argument, which shall be this;
That Opinion which is contrary to the Profession & Practice of the Churches in the Primitive & Purest Times of Christianity; and to the Judgment of the most Eminent Reformers in these Latter Ages, and which agrees with Papists, and a Looser sort of Protestants, ought not to be received among the Churches in New England. It would be an heinous Apostasy should it be so. But all this is true of Mr. S. his Opinion now impleaded. An Induction of Particulars will clear the Argument before us. We have already Evinced from the Scripture, that the Holy Apostles Admitted none into the Churches by them Gathered, but such as they in judgment of Charity supposed to be true Penitents & Believers on Christ. And very many of the Church-members in the Primitive Christian Church, were real Converts. Although' there were Three Thousand Members added to the Church in one day, such a character is given of them in general, as giveth sufficient ground to believe, that they were truly Converted and real ⟨p. 38⟩Christians. For they were pricked at the Heart with a sense of their Sins, they received the Word gladly. They are commended for their singleness of heart,