Preface

PREFACE.

Though the Doctrine here maintained by our dear and Reverend Brother was brought over hither by the pious and judicious Fathers of this Country from the Puritans in England, and held by them and their Successors in our Churches above Threescore Years without Dissension; yet some good and learned Men have since gone into another Way of thinking in this Matter. And as the WORD OF GOD is our only Rule of judging, and this only can bind the Conscience in Religion; it must needs concern every Man to search the Scriptures, that he may come to as satisfying a Knowledge as may be, whether he has a Right to the Lord's Supper, and whether it be his immediate Duty to partake of it, or admit of others. And for all that we had hitherto read on this Subject, it seemed to us, there wanted further Searchings and Discoveries.

And though we have not all had Opportunity to read the Composure following; yet we apprehend the Reverend Author singularly qualified to manage this important Argument, from his great Acquaintance with the Scriptures, and diligent Application to the study of them with a special Aim to find the Mind of CHRIST and settle his Judgment in this Particular; both to get more Light himself, and communicate the same to others. And we have this peculiar Motive to excite Attention to what he writes; that he is so far from arguing from the Prejudice or Influence of Education, that being brought up in the contrary Way of Thinking, and more inclined thereto from a special Veneration of his Reverend Grandfather; yet on careful searching the sacred Volumes he was obliged to yield to these Convictions they produced in him, and change his Judgment.

The following Treatise contains the Substance of these Convictions, or the particular Reasons of this Alteration. And if those who are now in his former Way of Thinking, would with due Seriousness, Humility, Calmness, Diligence and Impartiality, search the Scriptures, and consider his Arguments derived from them, looking up to GOD through CHRIST, and subjecting their Minds entirely to Him; they may either see and yield to the same Convictions, and find Cause to change their Judgments also, or will at least continue their fraternal Affection to the worthy Author and Others in the same Sentiments with him.

We heartily pray that the Reverend Author and his Flock may for a long Time be happy together; that their cordial Love and tenderness to each other may continue and operate in mutual and all lawful Condescensions and Forbearances under different Sentiments in these Particulars; that every One may be open to Light, and guard against all Prejudice, Precipitance and Passion; that they may be very watchful against the Devices of Satan to disunite or disaffect them; that they may study the Things that make for Peace and Edification. And the GOD of Light, Love and Peace will continue with them.

Boston,August eleventh 1749. Thomas Prince John Webb Thomas Foxcroft M. Byles.

PREFACE.

Though the doctrine maintained here by our dear and reverend brother was brought to this country by the devout and wise fathers who came from the Puritans in England, and was held by them and their successors in our churches for more than sixty years without disagreement, some good and learned men have since adopted a different way of thinking on this matter. And since the Word of God is our only standard for judging, and this alone can bind the conscience in matters of religion, it is essential that every person search the Scriptures. Each one must come to the most satisfying knowledge possible about whether he has a right to the Lord's Supper, whether it is his immediate duty to take part in it, and whether he should admit others to it. And for all that we had previously read on this subject, it seemed to us that further investigation and discoveries were still needed.

And though not all of us have had the opportunity to read the following work, we believe the reverend author is uniquely qualified to handle this important argument. This is because of his great familiarity with the Scriptures and his careful study of them with the specific goal of finding the mind of Christ and settling his own judgment on this particular matter -- both to gain more light for himself and to share it with others. We also have a special reason to pay attention to what he writes: he is so far from arguing out of bias or the influence of his upbringing that, although he was raised in the opposite way of thinking and was further inclined toward it because of a deep respect for his reverend grandfather, his careful study of the sacred Scriptures compelled him to accept the conclusions they produced in him and to change his judgment.

The following treatise contains the substance of those conclusions, that is, the specific reasons for this change. And if those who currently share his former way of thinking would search the Scriptures and consider his arguments drawn from them with proper seriousness, humility, calmness, diligence, and fairness -- looking up to God through Christ and submitting their minds entirely to Him -- they may either see and accept the same conclusions and find reason to change their judgments as well, or they will at least maintain their brotherly affection toward the worthy author and others who share his views.

We sincerely pray that the reverend author and his congregation may be happy together for a long time. We pray that their heartfelt love and tenderness toward each other may continue and express itself in mutual and proper willingness to accommodate and be patient with one another despite different views on these particular matters. We pray that everyone may be open to new light and guard against all prejudice, hasty conclusions, and passionate reactions. We pray that they may be very watchful against Satan's schemes to divide or alienate them, and that they may pursue the things that make for peace and spiritual growth. And the God of light, love, and peace will continue with them.

Boston, August 11, 1749. Thomas Prince, John Webb, Thomas Foxcroft, M. Byles.