N01446:153
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 the man complains that he has not encouraging Scriptures come to him, and therefore he fears that he is not under the work of the Spirit: Other men have encouraging Scriptures brought to them, and therefore God don't deal with him, as with those he is wont to Convert. In this Case the Minister may tell him,
1. That if he have supporting considerations cast ⟨p. 44⟩into his heart, that is sufficient; there is no necessity to have encouraging Scriptures to come with a great deal of power upon his heart; there is need of some supporting considerations, to maintain an hope, and to keep him from despair: and if the heart be but supported with an hope that he may obtain at last, that is sufficient. God deals very variously with men; some that have many encouraging Scriptures, do never obtain mercy.
1. That if he have supporting considerations cast ⟨p. 44⟩into his heart, that is sufficient; there is no necessity to have incouraging Scriptures to come with a great deal of power upon his heart; there is need of some supporting considerations, to maintain an hope, and to keep him from despair: and if the heart be but supported with an hope that he may obtain at last, that is sufficient. God deals very variously with men; some that have many encouraging Scriptures, do never obtain mercy.
2. That if he does continue to wait upon God, he may have encouraging Scriptures come to him after a while. God knows what he stands in need of, and don't tie up himself to the same method, as to the circumstances of the work: He uses a great deal of variety; scarce two persons are carried on exactly after the same manner; some have more encouragement towards the beginning, & others towards the latter end of the work.