N01395:231
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. Observation. This reviving is sometimes of longer, and sometimes of shorter Continuance. Sometimes Religion flourishes in a Country for a great many Years together. So it did for twenty nine Years in the Days of Hezekiah. 2 Chron. 29.1. So when God pours out his Spirit, sometimes the Work continues many Years. It began in John the Baptist's time, and continued several Years after the Death of Christ. Math. 11.12. From the Days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffereth Violence. Compare this with Joh. 5.25. The time is coming, and now is, when the Dead shall hear the Voice of the Son of God and live. But sometimes it is for a less space. We have reason to think that there was much of the converting Presence of God in Corinth for the space of a Year and half. Act. 18.9, 10. Sometimes it is not so long. There is a great stirring for a little time, and then it fails. Though the same outward Means continue, yet there is not that Blessing going along with them.
3. Observation. God is very Arbitrary in this Matter. The People of God are Praying and Waiting for this Mercy Hab. 3.2. O Lord, revive thy Work in the midst of the ⟨p. 192⟩Years, in the midst of Years make known; in Wrath remember Mercy. Psal. 85.6. Wilt not thou revive us again, that thy People may Rejoice in thee? But God will take his own time for this Mercy. As the Angel stirred the Waters of Bethesda, at some certain Seasons, and they waited for that time,