N01395:213
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.
4 USE Of Exhortation. Labour in it, that you may be set at Liberty by the Gospel. If there were no Hope of being set at Liberty, it would be a vain Thing to strive in it; but though it be Hopeless for Men that are damned, yet it is not Hopeless for you. It is uncertain whether you will ever attain Liberty, but yet there is Hope of it. Sometimes the Thing appears very Dark to you; but whatever Difficulty there be in it, yet it is possible. You have taken several Methods that you might be set at Liberty, but hitherto you have been disappointed; and indeed you must never expect it by any other Means but only by the Gospel. Labour therefore that you may be set at Liberty by that. You say your present Condition is Doleful, and you dread to continue in it, but there is Hope of Deliverance by the Gospel. Christ Jesus has purchased Deliverance; he has paid a sufficient Price for your Redemption. He gave his Life a Ransom for many. 1 Cor. ⟨p. 179⟩6.20. Ye are bought with a Price. And God offers Deliverance to you through him. Isai. 61.1. He Proclaims the opening of the Prison to them that are Bound. And God has promised that some shall be set at Liberty by him. His Work is, To bring out the Prisoners from Prison, and them that sit in Darkness out of the Prison-House. Isai. 42.7. Yea, many Persons have been set at Liberty Formerly and Latterly by the Gospel. There has been a great deal or Experience of the Efficacy of the Gospel this way. Col. 1.13. He hath delivered us from the power of Darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of his dear Son. Let then this be your Care, that you may be set at Liberty by the Gospel.
4 USE Of Exhortation. Labour in it, that you may be set at Liberty by the Gospel. If there were no Hope of being set at Liberty, it would be a vain Thing to strive in it; but though it be Hopeless for Men that are damned, yet it is not Hopeless for you. It is uncertain whether you will ever attain Liberty, but yet there is Hope of it. Sometimes the Thing appears very Dark to you; but whatever Difficulty there be in it, yet it is possible. You have taken several Methods that you might be set at Liberty, but hitherto you have been disappointed; and indeed you must never expect it by any other Means but only by the Gospel. Labour therefore that you may be set at Liberty by that. You say your present Condition is Doleful, and you dread to continue in it, but there is Hope of Deliverance by the Gospel. Christ Jesus has purchased Deliverance; he has paid a sufficient Price for your Redemption. He gave his Life a Ransom for many.