N01625:213
Three sermons lately preached at Boston. I. Showing the virtue of Christs blood to…Three sermons lately preached at Boston. I. Shewing the vertue of Christs blood to…
Three sermons lately preached at Boston. I. Showing the virtue of Christs blood to cleanse from sin. II. That natural men are under the government of self-love. III. That the Gospel is the means of conversion. : To which a fourth is added, to stir up young men and maidens to praise the name of the Lord. / By Solomon Stoddard A.M. Pastor of Northampton.Three sermons lately preached at Boston. I. Shewing the vertue of Christs blood to cleanse from sin. II. That natural men are under the government of self-love. III. That the Gospel is the means of conversion. : To which a fourth is added, to stir up young men and maidens to praise the name of the Lord. / By Solomon Stoddard A.M. Pastor of Northampton.
printed by B. Green for Daniel Henchman, 1717
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.
6. Great notice is taken in Heaven how you carry. The Angels have great occasion to be conversant in this lower World; they are often coming and going, they are descending & ascending, as Jacob saw them in a Dream, Gen. 28.12. Being ministering Spirits, sent forth to minister to them that shall be heirs of salvation, Heb 5.14. And they are giving information how you carry your selves: and Saints that die and go to Heaven, are able to give an account of the behaviour of others in the Places from whence they come: One would think that you should be concerned that the Saints in Heaven should not hear an evil report of you: undoubtedly they are concerned about the carriages of Men upon Earth. Luk. 15.7. Joy shall be in Heaven over one sinner that repenteth. Saints that are in Heaven will be inquisitive concerning the state of Religion, and getting the knowledge how it thrives in such a Country, and such a Town; they will be asking after their Acquaintance, and after their Sons & their Daughters; & one would think that many of you should be ashamed to think what account must be given of you, to your ⟨p. 115⟩friends, if you have any friends in Heaven: It may be some would be ashamed that it should be told at the next Town how they have behaved themselves, much more should they that it should be told in Heaven. The account that must be given of many Persons is, that they mind little but the World; they are nothing for Religion; they are swallowed up in the cares of the World; they have somewhat of a Form of goodliness, but nothing of the Power; they are panting after the dust of the earth; they don't savour of a gracious Spirit. They go to Meeting on the Sabbath & at other times, but the cares of the World do choke the Seed of the Word. And the account that must be given of others is, that they are Pharisaical, Proud Creatures, mind little but their Ornaments: Or that they are of rude behaviour; when they should be in bed they are abroad in company with Wenches, or that they lie about the Taverns; that they are companions of fools. One would think it should go to your heart, to consider, what discourse there is in Heaven about you; to have an ill name here is a shame, but it is more shameful to have an ill name in Heaven: you may well blush to think that it should be told in Heaven, that much pains has been taken with you, but that hitherto it is all in vain.