N01395:205
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.
2. Some make Use of it to harden their Hearts in Sin. This is the way of many Men; they hear that God hath a design of Grace; that he hath sent Christ to suffer for our Sins; that great Sinners may be pardoned; that the Threatenings are only Conditional in case of final Impenitency; and they take occasion to harden their Hearts in Sin, Jud. 4. They turn the Grace of God into Lasciviousness. They think there is no great danger; they are not afraid of the Justice and Jealousy of God, because ⟨p. 171⟩he offers Pardon to them; they think that he loves them, because he freely offers Pardon to them; they think there is not much Evil in Sin, because God offers Pardon, they think he will continue so to do, and he will wait upon them, and so they harden their Hearts, and are bold to indulge themselves in Sin, and in no hast to turn to God. This is unreasonable. David says, There is forgiveness with God, that he may be feared. Psal. 130.4. But these Men say, There is forgiveness with God, therefore he is not to be feared. But though there is a way of Salvation, yet many that hear it, are never the better for it. Multitudes go from under the Light of the Gospel to the Blackness of Darkness. 2 Cor. 4.3. If our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost. It is a Savour of Death unto Death to many Men. 2 Cor. 2.16. The Mercy of God will not Affront his Justice. Men shall have no occasion to Reproach that, Exod. 34.7. Though he is Gracious and Merciful, yet he will by no means clear the Guilty. These Men turn the Gospel into Poison to them; and if they continue to harden their Hearts in Sin, they will as surely Perish, as if there were no Gospel, as if Christ had ⟨p. 172⟩never come into the World. What will the Gospel signify to them that reject it? The Blood of Christ will not Heal, where it is not applied.
2. Some make Use of it to harden their Hearts in Sin. This is the way of many Men; they hear that God hath a design of Grace; that he hath sent Christ to suffer for our Sins; that great Sinners may be pardoned; that the Threatnings are only Conditional in case of final Impenitency; and they take occasion to harden their Hearts in Sin, Jud. 4. They turn the Grace of God into Lasciviousness. They think there is no great danger; they are not afraid of the Justice and Jealousy of God, because