N01395:80
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.
IN these and the following Words, is set forth the Work that Christ was anointed for. First to Preach the Gospel to the Poor. Here mind, 1. What he was to Preach; that is, the Gospel. In Isaiah it is good Tidings. And so the Greek Word signifies, so our Word Gospel signifies. It comes from two Saxon Words. God, that signifies Good; and Spell, that signifies a Word. There be other good Tidings, but the Gospel is so by way of Eminency. The Gospel brings Tidings of the love of God to Men, and of a Glorious way of Reconciliation and Salvation. They are much to blame that slight the Gospel, and reject it. They carry as if the Gospel were not good Tidings. 2. To whom he was to Preach, viz. To the Poor. There be two sorts of Poor. 1. They that are low in the ⟨p. 57⟩World: That are destitute of Riches; and the Invitations of the Gospel are sent to them as well as others; and they that receive it, are more generally of that sort. 1 Cor. 1.28. God hath chosen the base Things of the World, and Things that are despised. Jam. 2.5. Hath not God chosen the Poor of this World, Rich in Faith, Heirs of the Kingdom. And Christ Jesus principally preached to such. Math. 11.5. The Poor have the Gospel preached unto them. 2. Those that are Poor in Spirit; that are sensible that they have nothing to purchase Heaven; that are sensible that they have no Money nor Price for their Salvation: And they are of two sorts. 1. Such as are legally Poor. As they, Math. 11.28. That Labour and are heavy Laden: That are convinced of the wretchedness of their Hearts, and that God may justly Condemn them. 2. Such as are Evangelically Poor in Spirit. Such as have the Grace of Humility, and live upon the Mercy of God in Christ. Spoken of, Math. 5.3. Blessed are the Poor in Spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Those that are called Poor here, are called Meek in Isaiah, C. 60. V. 1. Their Hearts are meekened, either by Conviction or by Grace. I don't exclude ⟨p. 58⟩