N01395:233
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. It is beyond us to determine what particular Design God hath in it at this or that time. When God Converts a considerable Number among a People, we know that the design is to prepare them for Salvation. Act. 3.19. Repent and be Converted, that your Sins may be blotted out, when the times of Refreshing shall come from the Presence of the Lord. But what his particular Design is in that Work we cannot tell. It may possibly be to prepare the Place for some great Temptation, that they may stand in a time of great Trial that he may bring upon them; that they may be strengthened and not deny his Name: Or it may be to prepare them for some Affliction that he intends to bring upon them, that they may carry the better under it: Or it may be to lay a Foundation for Mercy for the next Generation, that there may be a Number that may uphold the power of Godliness in time to come. Or it may be to gather in his Elect, before he removes the Means of Grace, and takes away his Ordinances.
4. It is beyond us to determine what particular Design God hath in it at this or that time. When God Converts a considerable Number among a People, we know that the design is to prepare them for Salvation. Act. 3.19. Repent and be Converted, that your Sins may be blotted out, when the times of Refreshing shall come from the Presence of the Lord. But what his particular Design is in that Work we cannot tell. It may possibly be to prepare the Place for some great Temptation, that they may stand in a time of great Tryal that he may bring upon them; that they may be strengthned and not deny his Name: Or it may be to prepare them for some Affliction that he intends to bring upon them, that they may carry the better under it: Or it may be to lay a Foundation for Mercy for the next Generation, that there may be a Number that may uphold the power of Godliness in time to come. Or it may be to gather in his Elect, before he removes the Means of Grace, and takes away his Ordinances.
1 USE. Learn from hence, that the Church of God is subject to great Changes. Sometimes Religion flourishes, and sometimes it languishes. It is indeed so with particular