N01446:107
A guide to Christ. Or, The way of directing souls that are under the…
A guide to Christ. Or, The way of directing souls that are under the work of conversion. Compiled for the help of young ministers: and may be serviceable to private Christians, who are enquiring the way to Zion. / By Solomon Stoddard, A.M. and Pastor of the church in Northampton. ; With an epistle prefixed, by the Reverend Dr. Increase Mather.
Boston: printed by J. Allen for N. Boone, 1714
Directions How to guide Souls through the Work of Conversion.
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. That it is a very dangerous thing for them to think that they are sincere, while they are not: then they will bless themselves, when God curses them; then they will continue quietly in a Natural Condition, and neglect the means of Conversion: and if they don't see the deceit quickly, there is danger that they may grow so hard-hearted, that if they do see it afterwards, they will not be the better for it.
4. That they may be satisfied from such things as these, that they don't love God sincerely, whatever appearances there be, viz. That they never had a ⟨p. 26⟩work of Humiliation; and sincerity does never forego that: that they never Closed with Jesus Christ, and the heart is never purified without Faith. All those affections that go before faith, let them be never so strong, are deceitful; the first good action that any man does perform, is to give entertainment to the Gospel: other things follow upon that.
SOMETIMES he gives an account, that he does believe on Jesus Christ; he don't trust in his own righteousness, but places his hope in Christ. In this Case the Minister may tell him,