N01446:117
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.
SOMETIMES he builds his Confidence upon some PARTICULAR SCRIPTURES.
ONE Scripture is, 1 Joh. 3.14. We know that we are passed from death to life, because we love the brethren: He says he finds such a spirit in himself, and he thinks his Condition good. But he may be told,
1. There is a great difference between loving the People of God for their Piety, and honouring them for their Piety. Many Natural men have some Convictions that Godly men are choice men, and happy men; and if they think a man is a sincere man, they honour him, and have a respect for him; so Herod had for John, Mark 6.20. but these men have not a sincere love to them for their Piety; they don't love God nor Godliness, therefore don't love Godly men for their Piety.
1. There is a great difference between loving the People of God for their Plety, and honouring them for their Piety. Many Natural men have some Convictions that Godly men are choice men, and happy men; and if they think a man is a sincere man, they honour him, and have a respect for him; so Herod had for John, Mark 6.20. but these men have not a sincere love to them for their Piety; they don't love God nor Godliness, therefore don't love Godly men for their Piety.