N01395:172
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.
1 USE. Of Reproof to those that don't improve this Opportunity. It is great Folly, not to improve Opportunities. It is the Wisdom of Men to watch for Opportunities. 1 Kin. 20.33. The Men did diligently observe whether any thing would come from him, and did hastily catch it. And it is great Foolishness to neglect them. Prov. 17.16. Wherefore is there a Price in the Hand of a Fool to get Wisdom, ⟨p. 140⟩when he hath no Heart to it? It was Jezebel's fault that she neglected it. Rev. 3.21. I gave her a space to Repent, and she Repented not. A Season for Worldly Advantages should not be lost through Carelessness and Sloth. Opportunities for Peace, and Health, and Liberty should not be lost. So Opportunities to get Spiritual Wisdom and Understanding. Those that don't improve them, are Adversaries to themselves. They don't consult their own Good: They will bewail the loss of them, and cry out of their Madness in not improving them. That will be one Aggravation of the Misery of Men hereafter, that they had glorious Opportunities, but did not improve them. Other parts of their Punishment will be the greater, and the Reproaches of Conscience will be the more.
1. They that don't cry to God to open their Eyes. Some Men for Form-sake, put up such Requests to God; but they don't cry Earnestly, nor follow God with secret Prayer. God may say of some Men, Isai. 43.22. Thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob, thou hast been weary of me, O Israel. And Complain of many as he doth, Isai. 64.7. There is none that calleth upon thy Name, that ⟨p. 141⟩