1. 1703-1758

2.  Born in East Windsor, CT  As the only grandson, he was the chosen heir of Rev. Solomon Stoddard  Admitted to Yale at 13  Married in 1727  Had a harmonious relationship with his town until the mid-1740s  He tried to restore his congregation to the original sense of religious commitment that had been found during the original Puritan exodus to America.  He was a master at the art of persuading his congregation that it could possess intense awareness of humanity’s condition.

3.  He went too far.  He began naming names from his pulpit…some of this were prominent members of society.  He only allowed communion to be taken by those that had publicly declared themselves to be “saved.”  The people of the town turned against him and dismissed him. They would rather have no sermons than let him preach.  He was unable to find another church.  He ended up becoming the president of Princeton before dying of the smallpox vaccination.

4.  Hell fire and brimstone  “In this verse is threatened the vengeance of God…” (209).  His basic premise is that God is angry at our sin and ready to smite us down at the least provocation.  He typically preached this sermons in a loud, nearly yelling tone.  Becomes repetitive

5.  P. 210  Man falls without warning; the only reason you haven’t is God’s appointed time has not yet come.  “There is nothing that keeps wicked men at any one moment our of hell, but the mere pleasure of God.”  Man deserves to be cast into hell.  P. 211  Sword of divine justice over their heads  Unconverted men belong in hell  The pit has opened its mouth under man while the flames rage and glow  The old serpent is gaping for them.

6.  P. 212  Raging waves of the troubled sea  Furnace of fire and brimstone for the soul  Pit has a “rotten covering”  Arrows of death fly unseen  Every man feels he can be the one to escape hell.  P. 213  “foolish children” delude themselves  God is under no obligation to keep you from eternal destruction unless you believe in Christ.  “held in the hand of God, over the pit of hell.” “God is dreadfully provoked.”

7.  P. 214  “an incensed God”  Spider’s web vs. the rock  Chaff on the threshing floor  Great waters ready to burst from behind the reservoir  P. 215  Bow and arrow of justice  A spider or “loathsome” insect vs. the fire  “offended him infinitely more than ever a stubborn rebel did his prince…”

8.  P. 216  “you hang by a slender thread”  His wrath is fierce and can’t be avoided.  P. 217  “…you shall not suffer beyond what strict justice requires…”  You get your whole punishment.  How great and how terrible

9.  P. 218  Everlasting wrath  No end in sight to the horror.  Punishment is infinite.  P. 219  You may be there quicker than you think.  Be careful…you could be next.  Now…there is a great opportunity before you.  Guilt is great.

10.  P. 220  Don’t neglect the opportunity before you.  Be afraid of what happens should you not repent.  Is this the type of sermon you would want to hear every Sunday?