N01395:170
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. They are directed what to do, that they may see. We are taught, that we must Pray to God to open our Eyes. A seeing Eye, and an hearing Ear, the Lord is the maker of them both. Men are ready to think that they shall get the Knowledge of God and Christ, by improving their Natural Reason, by Study and Consideration; that they can argue themselves into the Knowledge of Spiritual Things: But it is quite beyond them, and they must be brought to beg it of God. Prov. 2.3. They must cry for Wisdom, and lift up their Voice for Understanding. The Gospel shows that it is ⟨p. 138⟩Gods Work to give Understanding. Eph. 1.17. That God would give you the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the Knowledge of him. Again we are directed to wait upon the Preaching of the Word, To wait at the Gates of Wisdom. Prov. 8.34. So we are taught, Rom. 10.17. Faith comes by Hearing, and Hearing by the Word of God. We are directed also to submit to the Sovereignty of God. It is plainly told us, that God hath Mercy on whom he will have Mercy. Rom. 9.15. He is not bound to any particular Person; he is at liberty either to leave them to Blindness, or to open their Eyes. They can bring God under no necessity to give Light to them: And accordingly it is their Duty to submit to his sovereign Pleasure.
3. They are directed what to do, that they may see. We are taught, that we must Pray to God to open our Eyes. A seeing Eye, and an hearing Ear, the Lord is the maker of them both. Men are ready to think that they shall get the Knowledge of God and Christ, by improving their Natural Reason, by Study and Consideration; that they can argue themselves into the Knowledge of Spiritual Things: But it is quite beyond them, and they must be brought to beg it of God. Prov. 2.3. They must cry for Wisdom, and lift up their Voice for Understanding. The Gospel shews that it is