N01147:79
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.
I have cited these Testimonies, to show that Mr. S. his New Doctrine, is not only contrary to what Divines of the Congregational Persuasion, (such as the Pastors of the Churches throughout New England have formerly been) but also most opposite to what has been Taught by our Presbyterian Brethren. I shall from among them produce but one Witness more against him, viz. that super Eminent Preacher of the Gospel, Mr. Stephen Charnock. In his Excellent Discourse of the Lords Supper, (d)he lays down this Proposition: Only Regenerate Men are fit to come to the Lords Supper. This Proposition he Demonstrates. It is Evident, For, 1. A man in his Natural Estate retains his Enmity against God. This Bread belongs ⟨p. 48⟩to Children: Unregenerate men are not in a state of Son-ship. 2. For such to approach the Lords Table is a mocking of God. For to come to God and Seal the Remission of Sin, when they have no mind to come up to the condition on which the Pardon is proposed, is to mock him. 3. An Unregenerate man is not in Covenant with God; because he has no Faith, the condition of the Covenant, Eph. 2. 12. Therefore he has no right to the Seal of the Covenant. 4. An Unregenerate man is Dead, Eph. 2. 1. What has a Dead man to do with a Feast? The very end of the Sacrament is perverted, when the Richest viands are taken by a man spiritually Dead. 5. The Sacrament is an Ordinance of inward Communion with Christ. Christ must be let into the Heart, before he Sup in it, Rev. 3. 20. The Door must be opened by Conversion, before Christ will Feast with the Soul. 6. This Ordinance is to be received by true Christians only. But Renewed men only are such. Free men only have a right to the Privileges of the City; and true Christians to the Privileges of the Church. The Lords Supper is not a Converting Ordinance, neither in the Intention of God, nor the Ordination of Christ in the first Institution. No man can reasonably expect ⟨p. 49⟩his Conversion, by coming in such a posture whereby contracting more than ordinary Guilt of the Blood of Christ, he incurs a greater Damnation. It is not likely to be a Converting Ordinance. For, 1. Baptism is not a Converting Ordinance, much less this of the Supper. That supposeth Faith,