N01446:127
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.
AFTER he is delivered from his confident opinion of his good estate, and sees himself to be in a natural condition still; it may be needful upon that occasion,
1. To encourage him: For he is in danger to be too much cast down, so as to hinder his future diligence: He may be encouraged from the consideration of Gods Goodness in discovering that deceit which would have proved his bane; he was in a dangerous way, but God has delivered him, and so put him into a nearer capacity to be Converted: Gods not suffering him to continue in his delusion, is an hopeful sign, that God does intend mercy to him; he is now under greater advantage than before. John 9.4.
2. To war• him that he don't run into the same error again; for he is still under the reigning power of a self-righteous spirit, and may get a false opinion of Conversion again. Some do several, times strike upon that rock, therefore he must be cautioned not to be deceived with the appearances ⟨p. 33⟩of grace; nor to give way to the flattery of his own heart; if he should take up such a persuasion again, it is doubtful that he would not be delivered, relapses are dangerous; and if he should begin to think so, it were best to advise with those that can inform him, before he be confirmed in such an opinion.
2. To war• him that he don't run into the same error again; for he is still under the reigning power of a self-righteous spirit, and may get a false opinion of Conversion again. Some do several, times strike upon that rock, therefore he must be cautioned not to be deceived with the appearances