N01147:84
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.
and is there a Minister in New-England that has both Preached and Printed, that no man need to Examine himself whether he should eat or forbear, only Examine what need he has of the Sacrament? What will become ⟨p. 56⟩of the Churches in New England, if such Doctrine should take with them?
I shall conclude this Chapter, with the Testimony of an Eminent and now Blessed man of the Congregational Persuasion, Famous in these Churches. I mean Mr. Urian Oaks, my intimate and most dear Friend & Predecessor in the Presidentship of the College in Cambridge. There has lately been communicated to me a Sermon of his, on Eph. 1. 8. Preached August 2. 1674. wherein I find these words following, written with his own Hand; Hereby you may judge aright for your own meetness for ChurchFellowship and Full Communion in the Ordinances of Christ. Examination of the Application of Redemption will be of great use in this case. I make it out unto you thus: The Church (that is the Church Mystical) is, both the Subject and the Effect of Application. Now none have a real right in the sight of God to ChurchFellowship and Ordinances, but such as are real Saints, real Members of the Church Mystical, and so the real Subjects of the Application of Redemption. Indeed Churches have Right & Warrant to admit to Church Fellowship & Ordinances, such as are but Visible Saints, and have Redemption applied to them in appearance only, ⟨p. 57⟩because they are not Heart-searchers, have no judgment of Certainty concerning other men; but must proceed by Rule according to the judgment of Charity. But such as are only Visible Saints, unto whom Redemption is applied in Appearance only, have no real right in the sight of God to demand Church-Fellowship and Ordinances. A mere out-side Visible Saint, that has a goodly appearance of a work of Application and no more, sinneth in demanding Church Fellowship and Ordinances, but the Church does not sin in granting his desire in that respect. Therefore before you demand Fellowship with this or that Church, Examine the work of Application; what Experience you have had thereof. And tho' you can not get absolute Assurance, yet endeavour to get some comfortable Persuasion, & grounded Hope of it; that Redemption is in part applied unto you: And then get within the Gates of Jerusalem, as soon as you can. It will be worse for your own Souls, than for the Church, if you rush upon Ordinances when you are unfit for them. Thus Mr. Oaks has Rightly and Judiciously stated the Controversy.