N01147:81
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.
These are Plain & Weighty Arguments. They may be Cavilled at, but not easily Answered. I omit to say that Mr. Doolittle, another Worthy Presbyterian Divine, in his Treatise of the Lords Supper; which has been lately Reprinted at Boston, holds forth a Doctrine before the Churches, very contrary to Mr. S. his Sermon. The Churches in Scotland are Presbyterian: But they are wont to Examine their Communicants concerning their Interior Spiritual State, before they admit them to participate in the Lords Supper. Several of their Ministers in London, have assured me that they do so. The Author of the Present State of Scotland, Printed the Last Year, speaking of the Kirk-Session, which is their lowest Ecclesiastical Court, informs us, that this Court is Judge of Admissions to the Lords Table, or Debarring from it, in their respective Parishes. (e)The ⟨p. 51⟩Communicants are Examined by them as to their Knowledge and Conversation, and their Resolution to Renew and Perform their Baptismal Covenant. They that are really resolved to perform their Baptismal Covenant have a Work of Grace wrought in their hearts. For such a Resolution, if sincere, is Grace; and argues Regeneration. Let me further add, that several Pious Divines of the Church of England, have Taught their People sounder Doctrine than this in Mr. S. his Sermon. For (f)Dr. Kidder (a worthy Divine) has these words, He that is fit to receive the Sacrament, is fit to Die; and he that is fit to Die, is fit to receive the Sacrament.—We must put away our Sins by a true and hearty Repentance; unless we do this, we shall eat and drink Damnation to our selves. Another Conformist says, (g)We must Examine our selves, whether we be in the Number of the Faithful or not. For as our Bodies can receive no strengthening from the Food we receive, unless they have some Life in them before, so neither can our Souls, if they be void of the Life of Grace, receive any comfort by the spiritual Food in the Lords Supper; which does increase Life where it finds it, but works none where there is none before. To say no more, Mr. ⟨p. 52⟩Baxter in his Disputations of Right to Sacraments, has produced above Three-score Protestant Divines, all who assert, that it is a Justifying Saving Faith which giveth right to Sacraments; and that therefore they who are judged not to have that Faith, may not be admitted unto that which they have no right to lay a claim unto.