Графични страници
PDF файл
ePub

L

CONTENTS.

[ocr errors]

ETTER I. INTRODUCTION, p. 1. An examination of the leading principle in Dr. P.'s book, adopted from Bp. HOADLY, viz. that we are to form our notions of the Lord's Supper by the exprefs words of Christ and his apostles alone in immediate relation to it, p. 3-9. This rule fhewn to be infufficient. Dr. P. obliged to depart from it, p. 10.

LETTER II. Q. I. WHAT IS THE NATURE AND DESIGN OF THE LORD'S SUPPER? p. 13. I. Not merely a memorial of Chrift in general, but a vifible reprefentation of his death, particularly as a facrifice for fin, p. 14. Dr. P. omits this, and takes no notice of thofe words of the institution in which it is fuppofed to be taught, p. 17. 2. A fign and feal of the covenant of grace, p. 18. The like omiflion in regard to this. Aflembly's catechifm, on this head, vindicated, p. 19. Dr. Taylor's authority for this view of it, p. 21.

LETTER III. Q. II. WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE PROFESSED BY ATTENDING THE LORD'S SUPPER ? 1. In respect to a perfan's faith. That Chrift is a teacher fent from God, not the only opinion profeffed, p. 23. 2. In respect to his character and conduct, p. 26. Remarks on Dr. P.'s faying-It is not a profeffion of extraordinary fanctity, p. 26. It is not a mark of attachment to any particular fect, p. 27. That it is a declaration of a man's christianity, and of his refolution to live and die like a Chriftian, p. 29. The Dr.'s inconfiftency pointed out in two particulars, p. 29 and 30. The author's account, p. 31. Inference: Who may be faid

to

to eat and drink unworthily, p. 33. Dr. P. inconfiftent in confining this to the Corinthians, p. 35. and is contradicted by Bp. H. p. 36.

LETTER IV. Q. III. BY WHOM IS THE LORD'S SUPPER TO BE CELEBRATED? Not by all profeffing Chriftians, who are free from fcandalous vices, as Dr. P. maintains, p. 37. But only by true believers-proved : 1. From the nature of the ordinance as a declaration of mercy on God's part-and a folemn profeffion of duty on ours, p. 39. A diftinction of Bp. Hoadly groundless, and a contradiction in the Dr. remarked, p. 40. What hazard there is in an unholy perfon's communicating, p. 41. What obligation a perfon is brought under by it. An inconfiftency in the Dr. p. 42. Difference between the Lord's Supper and other inftitutions, p. 44.

LETTER V. That only real Chriftians have a right to the Lord's Supper, proved, 2. from fcripture. (1.) Scripture requires uprightness in general, and condemns hypocritical profeffions of religion in particular, p. 49. Parable of the wedding-garment confidered, ib. (2.) The fcripture warrants the excommunication of fome befides the fcandaloufly immoral, p. 52. None ought to come to the Lord's Supper who are conscious to themselves of any thing which, if known, would expose them to be excommunicated, p. 55. (3.) The fcripture defcribes the members of the primitive churches as holy perfons, P. 57.

LETTER VI. That none but true Chriftians fhould come to the ordinance, further proved from that part of Paul's epiftles to the Corinthians which immediately reJates to the fubject; where, (1.) He declares that those, who eat and drink unworthily, eat and drink judgment to themfelves, p. 62. The objection confidered that tho the Corinthians were charged with drunkenness, they were not forbidden to attend the ordinance, p. 64. (2) The apostle recommends felf-examination previous to the celebration of it, p. 67. Dr. P.'s comment on this paffage unwarrantable. The author's application of it vindicated, p. 68-72.

LETTER VII. Q.IV. WHO ARE TO BE THE JUDGES OF A PERSON'S QUALIFICATION FOR THE LORD'S SUPPER?

P. 74.

[ocr errors]

P. 74. The right of churches in admitting or rejecting members, and judging of their qualifications, the fame with that of other focieties, ib. Dr. P. owns this right. in one inftance, p. 77. His account of the extent of it inconfiftent, p. 78. What qualifications a church may demand, p. 79. Credible evidence of true piety to be infifted upon-argued from the foregoing reafoning, ib. and from fcripture precedents, p. 81. Dr. P.'s objection from the parable of the wheat and tares confidered, p. 83. By what means a church may feek fatisfaction as to the qualifications of candidates, p. 85. That they have a right to examine concerning their faith and practice, both of other perfons, p. 87. and of themfelves, p. 89. proved both from reafon and fcripture. Requiring a verbal profeffion vindicated from scripture precedent, p. 94. Experiences not fo abfurd and unfcriptural as Dr. P. reprefents, p. 95. An acknowledgment that they have been abufed, and obtained in an unwarrantable manner, p. 96. This, however, no fufficient objection to a verbal declaration of a perfon's Christianity, p. 97.

LETTER VIII. Q. V. WHAT ADVANTAGES ARISE FROM CELEBRATING THE LORD'S SUPPER? Dr. P.'s account defective, p. 99. Proved further, 1. That it tends to confirm the Chriftian's faith, p. 100. 2. That it ftrengthens our obligation to a life of holiness, p. 101. Dr. P. contradicts himself on this head, ib. 3. That it excites abhorrence of fin, p. 102. 4. That it promotes the Chriftian's comfort and peace of mind, ib. 5. That it is an eminent means of enjoying the prefence of God and the Redeemer, p. 103. Dr. P. mifrepresents the notions of Diffenters on this head, p. 104. Vindication of fome expreffions applied to the Lord's Supper, particularly, 6. That believers therein eat the flesh and drink the blood of Chrift, p. 107. Our Lord's difcourfe, John vi. expreffive of facramental actions, p. 109. Bp. Hoadly's objections confidered, p. 111. Dr. Taylor's authority quoted, p. 115.

LETTER IX. Q. VI. WHAT PREPARATION IS REQUISITE TO A PROPER ATTENDANCE UPON THE LORD'S SUPPER? p. 118. Acknowledged that fome have carried the matter too far, p. 119. That the Lord's Supper requires greater preparation than public worship, argued from Dr. P.'s allowing it to be more folemn,

P. 120.

p. 120. It is not fufficient barely to recollect the nature of it, but the mind fhould be in a proper frame, p. 121, This not always the cafe even with good men, p. 122. Means to prepare the mind, efpecially felf-examination, p. 123. The expediency of what Dr. P. calls preparation-days, p. 126. Primitive Chriftians probably had fuch, p. 127. But if not, this no juft objection to them, p. 128. No great danger of fuperftition in the prefent day, p. 129. Diffenter's notions of the Lord's Supper not fo fuperftitious as churchmen's, p. 130. Henry's Treatife vindicated, Note, Conclufion.

ERRATA,

contained in.

Page 19. line 15. read, p. 28. 1. 29. dele or, P. 33. I last but two, r. body and. p. 43. 1. 28. for ? put a period. p. 47. 1. 8. r. converfion, p. 79 1. 3. r. chriftian church. p. 109. 1. 5. r. VIth. p. 128. Note, r pallover. N. B. The quotation, p. 27. with the remarks upon it, should have been introduced p. 26. after the break directly oppofite. And the reader is detired to correct that fentence, p 26. 1.9.

As you have not laid, e." thus: I will take the liberty to invert your order, and will first take notice, &c.

LET:

THE

Proteftant Diffenter's Anfwer

то

Dr. PRIESTLEY'S FREE ADDRESS.

I

LETTER I.

Reverend SIR,

AM a PROTESTANT, and a PROTESTANT DISSENTER; I therefore confider myself, amongst others of that character, as publickly addreffed in a late work of yours, and think I have a right to make a publick reply to what I judge exceptionable in it. Your profeffed design is laudable, and the freedom which you propose to use, and which you recommend to others, in enquiring after truth, is, in my apprehenfion, highly warrantable, becoming a Christian, a Proteftant, and a Diffenter. As POPERY is doubtless the worft corruption of the best religion. in the world, every friend to that religion ought to be vigilant in detecting those corruptions which Popery has introduced, and zealous in expofing them.

I cannot but agree with you, Sir, in thinking it highly improbable that the first Reformers fhould

[blocks in formation]
« ПредишнаНапред »