N01395:143
The efficacy of the fear of Hell, to restrain men from sin. Showed in…The efficacy of the fear of Hell, to restrain men from sin. Shewed in…
The efficacy of the fear of Hell, to restrain men from sin. Showed in a sermon before the inferior court in Northampton, Decem. 3d, 1712. : Together with the benefit of the Gospel, to those that are wounded in spirit. Showed in several sermons, from Luke 4th. 18, 19. On the occasion of a more than ordinary pouring out of the spirit of God. / By Solomon Stoddard, Pastor of Northampton.The efficacy of the fear of Hell, to restrain men from sin. Shewed in a sermon before the inferiour court in Northampton, Decem. 3d, 1712. : Together with the benefit of the Gospel, to those that are wounded in spirit. Shewed in several sermons, from Luke 4th. 18, 19. On the occasion of a more than ordinary pouring out of the spirit of God. / By Solomon Stoddard, Pastor of Northampton.
printed by Thomas Fleet for Samuel Phillips, 1713
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.
3 Q. On what Terms doth God offer Deliverance from this Captivity?
A. 1. Not upon the Condition of their laying down the Price of their Deliverance. We can't lay down any Price of our Redemption. Money will not Redeem us, if it should be laid out in Works of Piety or Charity. Math. 16.26. What shall a Man give in Exchange for his Soul? Men have no Works to Redeem them; all the Works that they do before their Deliverance, are Sins. They run in Debt, and don't pay their Debts thereby, until they are delivered. They are by all that they do, purchasing Damnation, and not Salvation. They are said to have no Money, Isai. 55.1. Nothing that will pass in Heaven, as Money doth upon the Earth.
2. Nor upon Condition of their Recompensing God for it afterwards. When he delivers Men, he expects that they should serve God in Holiness and Righteousness all the Days of their Lives. Luk. 1.74, 75. But this is not the Condition, but part of the Mercy that is offered. Men that are sensible of their Captivity, ⟨p. 117⟩are ready to promise, That if God will deliver them, they will be very Obedient, and show forth his Praise: But God don't regard their Promises, nor deliver them because they promise fairly. He expects no Reward from them, as in that Case. Isai. 45.13. He shall let go my Captives, net for Price nor Reward, saith the Lord of Hosts. God requires Obedience as a natural Debt, and likewise in a way of Thankfulness for their Deliverance, but not in a way of Recompense.