N01335:29
Those taught by God the Father, to know God the Son
Those taught by God the Father, to know God the Son; are blessed. A sermon preached at Boston lecture, July 3d. 1712. / By Solomon Stoddard, A.M. Pastor of the Church of Christ at Northampton. ; [Seven lines from John]
printed by B Green for Benj. Eliot, 1712
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.
USE, I. Hence it follows, That Men don't know who are blessed. If Riches & Dignities, or Morality, or Baptism, or Church fellowship would make men blessed; we might be able to pronounce many men so: But if it depends on the Fathers revealing Christ to men, then we are under an uncertainty. Christ knew that the Father had revealed him to Peter, but we don't know who he hath revealed him unto. It is difficult for some good men to know it concerning themselves, but much more difficult to know it concerning others. We may have grounds of strong persuasion concerning some; but we must not pretend to an infallible knowledge respecting any other men.
USE, I. Hence it follows, That Men dont know who are blessed. If Riches & Dignities, or Morality, or Baptism, or Church fellowship would make men blessed; we might be able to pronounce many men so: But if it depends on the Fathers revealing Christ to men, then we are under an uncertainty. Christ knew that the Father had revealed him to Peter, but we don't know who he hath revealed him unto. It is difficult for some good men to know it concerning themselves, but much more difficult to know it concerning others. We may have grounds of strong perswasion concerning some; but we must not pretend to an infallible knowledge respecting any other men.
Consider, 1. If Men profess the Divinity of Jesus Christ, we don't know that it hath been revealed to them by the Father. There be a Multitude of People in the World that make a Profession of this, and they do it seriously and zealously; but they be but sew that have this revealed by the Father. Tradition and rational conviction, are the foundation of many mens Profession: for indeed there are but few that are taught of God Matth. 20.16. Many ⟨p. 18⟩are called and few are chosen. Christ charges some that make a Profession, with Spiritual blindness. Rev. 3.17. Thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. And many men that make a great Profession, are destitute of Saving Grace. The foolish Virgins had no oil in their vessels: Some that have a Name to live are dead. All that are taught by the Father will make a Profession of Christ: but there be many that make that Profession, that are not taught by the Father. There is a great difference between the visible Church and the invisible. Multitudes will be rejected at the last day, that made a great Profession.