N01446:149
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 his best way to search his own heart further. Many times men will complain bitterly of the badness of their own hearts, and one time after another give an account that they have seen more in their hearts than over they did before; and yet are far from seeing what they must see in their own hearts. And while it is thus, they should be put upon it to study their hearts, that they may see more of them: Persons are afraid to see their own ⟨p. 42⟩hearts, and are wont to strive against it, seeking to persuade themselves that they are better, than indeed they be: it crosses their pride, and their false hopes, to see the badness of their own hearts; therefore there is need to stir them up thereunto, and to tell them of what consequence it is. The sight of the heart is like the opening of a festered wound, it prepares men for healing; they should be put upon it to search themselves, and led into the way to do it: particular things may be propounded to them to search after; this is a very material thing, for the sincerity of their Conversion has a great dependence upon the thorough knowledge of their hearts.
3. That it is his best way to search his own heart further. Many times men will complain bitterly of the badness of their own hearts, and one time after another give an account that they have seen more in their hearts than over they did before; and yet are far from seeing what they must see in their own hearts. And while it is thus, they should be put upon it to study their hearts, that they may see more of them: Persons are afraid to see their own ⟨p. 42⟩hearts, and are wont to strive against it, seeking to perswade themselves that they are better, than indeed they be: it crosses their pride, and their false hopes, to see the badness of their own hearts; therefore there is need to stir them up thereunto, and to tell them of what consequence it is. The sight of the heart is like the opening of a festered wound, it prepares men for healing; they should be put upon it to search themselves, and led into the way to do it: particular things may be propounded to them to search after; this is a very material thing, for the sincerity of their Conversion has a great dependance upon the thorow knowledge of their hearts.