N01625:94
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.
3. Self-love governs in Moral Carriages. Some Natural Men have their particular Moral virtues: some Men are of Truth, some are very just, some are temperate, some are dutiful to Superiors: Some are adorned with all moral virtues, they have a lovely conversation, and are much to be commended on the account of their Morality. Matth. 19.20. All those things have I done from my youth. But they are governed therein by a spirit of self love. Self-love will make Men carry very badly, and self-love will make Men carry very well. This is the wound of their Morality, that they don't serve God therein, but they serve themselves. Hos. 10.1. Ephraim's is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself; they have a selfish aim in all they do. It is lawful for them to aim at themselves in a subordinate way, to the glory of God: but they make themselves their last end.
3. Self-love governs in Moral Carriages. Some Natural Men have their particular Moral vertures: some Men are of Truth, some are very just, some are temperare, some are dutiful to Superiours: Some are adorned with all moral vertues, they have a lovely conversation, and are much to be commended on the account of their Morality. Matth. 19.20. All those things have I done from my youth. But they are governed therein by a spirit of self love. Selflove will make Men carry very badly, and self-love will make Men carry very well. This is the wound of their Morality, that they don't serve God therein, but they serve themselves. Hos. 10.1. Ephrains is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself; they have a selvish aim in all they do. It is lawful for them to aim at themselves in a subordinate way, to the glory of God: but they make themselves their last end.
Sometimes they do it for their Reputation. Vicious carriages are shameful; if they be known they are a disgrace to them. Gen 38.23 Let her take it to her self least we be shamed. Such carriages are matter of reproach, thereby they make themselves of the number of the fools in Israel; they are despised and render themselves ignominious; their Relations are ashamed of them: it is a disgrace to be familiar with them. This consideration is the great thing that influences many Men: they