N01147:96
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.
Either John Baptist Excluded the Scribes and Pharisees and profane People from his Baptism, or else he made himself more unfaithful in Gods house then the ⟨p. 67⟩Scribes & Pharisees. For this was a great part of their Temple Pollution, that they made the House of God a Den of Thieves, Mat. 11. 17. But if John Baptist received them to his Baptism, he then made the Church (or house of God) not only a Den of Thieves, but which is worse, a Generation of Vipers. The Scribes & Pharisees were Heretics in Doctrine, Superstitious in Worship, Notorious Hypocrites in Profession, and Covetous Worldlings in their Conversation. Thus Mr. Cotton. It is not at all probable, or to be believed that John would call them a Generation of Vipers, & Baptise them in the same Breath. But Mr. S. further objects, That the Children of Gods People should be Baptised, who are generally at that Time in a natural condition. The Answer to which, is, That we are to judge as charitably of the Child as we do of the Parent: we Baptise them as being Disciples, and Believers, and visibly belonging to the Kingdom of Heaven. Dr. Goodwin says that the Infants of Believers are Purissima pars Ecclesioe the purest part of the Church. (k)Mr. Baxter has these Words: It is unrevealed whether God giveth Infants usually any Inherent Special Grace or not, but if he ⟨p. 68⟩does, it is far more likely that He does it before Baptism, by virtue of the Covenant, which says, the seed of the Righteous is blessed and Holy, than that Baptism should be instituted to confer it, which is instituted to other ends to all others: I suppose Mr. S. does not concur with Dr. Burgess, Dr. Ward, Mr. Bedford, & other Writers Episcopally inclined, who maintain Baptismal Regeneration, as a ground for Infant Baptism. If that were a true notion, then (as (l)Dr. Whitaker observes) Children ought to be Baptised tho' against the consent of their Parents, which some of the Popish School men, because they believe Baptism to be a Regenerating Ordinance, are so absurd as to affirm. But to proceed: Mr. S. (p. 13) asserts, That a Minister who knows himself Unregenerate may nevertheless lawfully Administer Baptism & the Lords Supper. Men who are destitute of saving Grace may Preach the Gospel, & therefore Administer and so partake of the Lords Supper. I am mistaken if in this Logic there is not Sophistry. And I am afraid that this passage in Mr. S.