N01147:86
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.
There has likewise been brought to me, several very Judicious Sermons on […] ⟨p. 58⟩122. 2. Written by the same Hand, which I heartily wish the Public had the benefit of them. That Excellent Preacher Wrote Largely, I think all that he delivered in the Pulpit, although' being blessed with a strong Memory, he there made no use of his Notes. In one of those Sermons, I find these words Written with his own Hand; (they are in a Lecture Sermon, Preached Sept. 4. 1672.) Be sure of your fitness in some measure for Church Fellowship; that you are competently Qualified for the Communion of Saints in an instituted Church before you desire & sue for it. It is the Certain Duty indeed of all under the Gospel-Call, to join themselves to Churches, and get into Church-communion. But their first Duty is to get Gospel-qualifications, for such Fellowship. Oh I therefore make sure of this in the first place. Consider seriously, and you will find it to be a clear Truth; that as it is commonly said, to be fit for a mercy is better than merely to have and enjoy the mercy; so to be fit for this Privilege of Church-communion, is in some respects, yea absolutely a greater mercy, and more desirable than to enjoy it. And let me deal faithfully with you, & tell you plainly, Unless you […] duly Qualified, it's much better for the Church & for ⟨p. 59⟩your selves too, that you forbear. Better for your selves in that case to be Out than In; for you would but aggravate your sin and misery by abusing Church-Privileges, & profaning Gods Glorious Name, by a careless formal Use of Holy Ordinances that you have no right unto; and God will certainly call to a sad Account for such things one Day. You go the next way to undo your selves, if you press into Church Fellowship when God and Conscience tell you, that you are unfit and unworthy. And it is much better for the Church of God, that Un-qualified persons be kept out. For they are good for nothing, but to pester Churches and create Trouble, and be a burden and grief of Heart to the Godly in such Societies. Therefore it is promised to the Church of God as a singular mercy, in the Day of the best & most glorious Reformation & Condition of it in this World, that there shall be no Canaanite in the House of the Lord, Zec. 14. 21. You will say, What are the Qualifications which must be found in such as are Admitted into Churches duly Reformed? Answ.