N01395:204
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. Some make Use of it only to get Notional Knowledge. Some read the Scriptures, hearken to the Preaching of the Gospel, study the Controversies that are in the World about Matters of Religion, that they may get Notional Knowledge; and they are puffed up with that. 1 Cor. 8.1. Knowledge puffeth up. They take delight to know what Men say, to be able to Discourse about those Things, and to dispute against Errors. They love to be able to give an Account what one Party and the other has to say for their Opinions. They are like the Greeks that sought after Wisdom. 1 Cor. 1.22. They are not willing to be Ignorant of the Scriptures: They are willing to see the Reason of what is taught, and to be able to vindicate their Profession, but don't regard to get this Liberty. They neglect the great design of the Gospel: They don't answer God's end in sending the Gospel. Can they imagine that God's design was to fill the Heads of Men with Notions, and to gratify an inquisitive Humour? ⟨p. 170⟩Surely God's design was to deliver Men from Misery. These Men neglect that which makes the Gospel Profitable: They cast off the care of the Welfare of their Souls, and neglect blessed Advantages to be Happy. It is just as if a sick Man should dispute about the Composition of a Medicine that will Cure him, and neglect to take it and so die. Or as if a Man should Labour to satisfy his Curiosity about the Dimensions and Materials of a Castle, and neglect to put himself into it, and so Perish. All those that don't receive the Gospel will surely Perish. Heb. 2.3. How shall we escape, if we neglect so great Salvation?
1. Some make Use of it only to get Notional Knowledge. Some read the Scriptures, hearken to the Preaching of the Gospel, study the Controversies that are in the World about Matters of Religion, that they may get Notional Knowledge; and they are puffed up with that. 1 Cor. 8.1. Knowledge puffeth up. They take delight to know what Men say, to be able to Discourse about those Things, and to dispute against Errors. They love to be able to give an Account what one Party and the other has to say for their Opinions. They are like the Greeks that sought after Wisdom. 1 Cor. 1.22. They are not willing to be Ignorant of the Scriptures: They are willing to see the Reason of what is taught, and to be able to vindicate their Profession, but don't regard to get this Liberty. They neglect the great design of the Gospel: They don't answer God's end in sending the Gospel. Can they imagine that God's design was to fill the Heads of Men with Notions, and to gratify an inquisitive Humour?