N01147:71
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.
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, Act. 2. 46. They willingly parted with their Estates towards the Propagation of the Gospel and of Christianity; they submitted to Baptism, and owned themselves to be Christians, when their doing so, brought not only their Estates, but their Lives into Peril. What greater Evidences of a real Conversion could there be desired? And it is wonderful that in so many Thousands in the first Christian Church at Jerusalem, not above two persons were discovered to be Hypocrites. How it was with Christians in the next Ages to the Apostles, the Holy Writings do not inform us, the Apostle John having Written the Two last Books of the Sacred Canon. But from the Ancient Fathers (as they use to be called) we know, that there was a very strict Discipline Exercised in the Admission of Members into Church Fellowship, & to the Lords Supper. Justin Martyr who lived in the very next Age to the Apostles, and not Fifty years after John's Death, (r)testifieth that in those Days, such as were admitted unto the Sacred Communion, were ⟨p. 39⟩Examined whether they could or would in all things conform themselves, to the Word & Will of God? This is what none but Regenerate Persons, or real Converts do.