N01395:195
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.
A. They are Guilty of many Crimes.
When Men are shut up in Prison, it is generally either for Debts or for Crimes; so ungodly Men are very Criminal: They are Transgressors of the Law; they came Sinners into the World. Psal. 51.5. Behold I was shapen in Iniquity, and in Sin did my Mother conceive me. And as they grow up, they become more Guilty. They are Guilty of Sins of Omission, and Commission: Of Sins in Thought, Word and Deed. They are Guilty of Sins by Perpetration, and by Participation with others: Sins against the Law, and against the Gospel. They are very Guilty, and liable to the Condemnation of the Law. They have been led away with Temptation. The Corruptions of their Hearts work very Powerfully in them. Rom. 7.5. When we were in the Flesh, the Motions of Sins which were by the Law, did work in our Members to bring forth Fruit unto ⟨p. 162⟩Death. And tho' some of them are under great Restraints, yet their Hearts are Fountains of Iniquity. Job 15.16. How much more Filthy and Abominable is Man, who Drinketh in Iniquity like Water? Jer. 6.7. As a Fountain casteth out its Waters, so she casteth out her Wickedness. Mens Sins are more than the Hairs of their Heads. The most moral Man is far from being Innocent. God hath a great deal to charge upon them. They Sin daily, and their Iniquities are infinite.
2. They are reserved to Judgment. The Evil Angels are reserved in the Chains of God's Providence to the Judgment of the great Day. Jud. 6. As Prisoners are kept in Durance, that they may be forth coming at the Assizes, so these Men are bound over unto Judgment, and preserved that they may appear when God calls for them. They are preserved from Annihilation, and kept by God unto that time. They are not discharged from their Guilt, but God has them in hold, that they may be brought forth when he calls for them. Some of them could be glad to be turned into their first nothing, but that will not be allowed. They are kept by the Providence