N01395:182
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. Common Illumination many times works a Confidence, that works a Dependence. When Men have common Illuminations, they don't work in that way to make them rely on the faithful Offers of God, and roll themselves on Christ. But on that Occasion they say, God is theirs, and Christ is theirs, and they promise themselves Heaven; but they don't accept the Calls and Invitations of the Gospel, and relinquish all their own Righteousness, and trust in Christ, as offered to them, but catch at some Promise as if it were theirs. They are Thankful to God, but when the Eyes of Men are opened, they see an offer of Mercy and accept of it. They see God calling and inviting them: They see an open Door set before them, and that God is sending a Message of Mercy to them. He shows them the way of Life, and the proposals of Mercy, and they consent to the Invitation, and close with God's Proposal, and yield Obedience to the Command of the Gospel. They see an Offer made to them, and they are required to ⟨p. 151⟩receive it, and the Will is bound to close with it, as that which is Safe and Glorious. There is an Assent of the Understanding, and a Consent of the Will. The Man relies on Christ, as a Man would venture his Life in a strong Castle. So he makes Christ his Refuge. He flees for Refuge, to lay hold on the Hope that is set before him, Heb. 6.18. After this, he reflects on what he has seen and done, and thence there ariseth a Confidence. The Call of God works first Dependence, and afterwards a Confidence. Rom. 5.1. Being justified by Faith, we have Peace with God.
3. Common Illumination many times works a Confidence, that works a Dependance. When Men have common Illuminations, they don't work in that way to make them rely on the faithful Offers of God, and roll themselves on Christ. But on that Occasion they say, God is theirs, and Christ is theirs, and they promise themselves Heaven; but they don't accept the Calls and Invitations of the Gospel, and relinquish all their own Righteousness, and trust in Christ, as offered to them, but catch at some Promise as if it were theirs. They are Thankful to God, but when the Eyes of Men are opened, they see an offer of Mercy and accept of it. They see God calling and inviting them: They see an open Door set before them, and that God is sending a Message of Mercy to them. He shews them the way of Life, and the proposals of Mercy, and they consent to the Invitation, and close with God's Proposal, and yield Obedience to the Command of the Gospel. They see an Offer made to them, and they are required to