N01395:248
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. By Contention. Sometimes Men raise some Strife about the World; sometimes about Religion; and there is a great deal of siding; they heat one another's Spirits, fret and anger one another, their Discourses ⟨p. 207⟩with those that side with them, and their Discourses with them that side against them take up a great deal of Time. They spend Hours together in such talk, and their Spirits are raised, and they reflect one upon another, and Reproach one another. This eats out the power of Godliness. They will be so engaged in Contention, that Religion will be but a Thing by the by. When their Spirits are raised, Fear is driven away. Their Thoughts are so swallowed up, that there is little room for Religion. They will be likewise great Temptations one to another. They will be more inclined to do that which will be a Provocation to God, than to do that which will bring them into a state of Reconciliation. Men that are at Strife with their Corruptions, had need have no other Strife. A Contentious Town is not like to thrive in their Religion. Jam. 3.16. Where Envying and Strife is, there is Confusion, and every evil Work. Contention puts the Spirits of Men out of Frame. They that are engaged in Contention, have too much Work; they have not leisure to follow Religion to Purpose.
3. By Contention. Sometimes Men raise some Strife about the World; sometimes about Religion; and there is a great deal of siding; they heat one anothers Spirits, fret and anger one another, their Discourses ⟨p. 207⟩with those that side with them, and their Discourses with them that side against them take up a great deal of Time. They spend Hours together in such talk, and their Spirits are raised, and they reflect one upon another, and Reproach one another. This eats out the power of Godliness. They will be so engaged in Contention, that Religion will be but a Thing by the by. When their Spirits are raised, Fear is driven away. Their Thoughts are so swallowed up, that there is little room for Religion. They will be likewise great Temptations one to another. They will be more inclined to do that which will be a Provocation to God, than to do that which will bring them into a state of Reconciliation. Men that are at Strife with their Corruptions, had need have no other Strife. A Contentious Town is not like to thrive in their Religion.