N01395:210
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 USE. Of Examination, whether you be set at Liberty by the Gospel. Some Men need not trouble themselves to make any narrow search, for it is a plain Case that they are not set at Liberty; but there are two sorts that need to examine this Matter. Some Men have some Fears and Jealousies of themselves, yet have preponderating Hopes: And some Men are not without Hopes, yet have preponderating Fears. It concerns both these sorts accurately to examine the Thing. Men may hear the Gospel, yet not be set at Liberty by it. Many that hear the Word deceive themselves. They may have a large understanding of the Gospel, yet not be set at Liberty by it. Men may be affected with it, yet not be set at Liberty by it. Men may be stirred up ⟨p. 176⟩to reform their Lives, yet not be set at Liberty. There be but a few comparatively that are set at Liberty by it, therefore examine.
Signs, 1. Have you seen the Divine Authority of the Gospel? God is said to be the Author of the Gospel, and therefore it is called the Gospel of God. Rom. 1.1. Separated unto the Gospel of God. It is established by the Faithfulness of God. The Declarations of it are Gods, and the Promises of it are Gods; and you are able to evince it by several Arguments that God is the Author of it; but have you seen the Divine Authority of it? Men never see it to be infallibly true and certain, until they see the Divine Authority of it. They can't indeed believe it, whatever Persuasion they have of it, till they hear the Voice of God in it; then they see the Divine Authority of it, when they receive it not as the Judgment of Wise and Good Men, but as it is indeed the Word of God; and they are convinced that it is the Word of the Faithful God. 1 Thes. 2.13. Ye received it as it is indeed the Word of God, which worketh effectually in you that believe. Joh. 5.25. The Dead shall hear the Voice of the Son of God and