N01446:186
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.
Answ. There is no difference for a great while between the strivings of the Spirit in those that shall be Converted, and in those that shall not. As there may be no difference in the Voyages of two Ships for a pretty while, one of which at last arrives in the Harbour, and the other is Cast-away; So it is here. Those that shall never be Converted, may have the same experiences for a considerable time, that those have that shall be Converted; there may be no difference in their Awakenings, in their Reformations, in their Temptations, in their Encouragements, nor in respect of their Frames. This does appear,
Answ. There is no difference for a great while between the strivings of the Spirit in those that shall be Converted, and in those that shall not. As there may be no difference in the Voyages of two Ships for a pretty while, one of which at last arrives in the Harbour, and the other is Cast-away; So it is here. Those that shall never be Converted, may have the same experiences for a considerable time, that those have that shall be Converted; there may be no difference in their Awakenings, in their Reformations, in their Temptations, in their Encouragments, nor in respect of their Frames. This does appear,
1. Because those strivings that men may have, that shall never be Converted, are sufficient to bring men forward towards Christ. There is no necessity at all, that the Elect should have any other strivings for a time, than what are common to Reprobates; the Convictions that Reprobates may have, are sufficient to bring men forward towards Christ; those terrors that Reprobates may have, are sufficient to wean them from the World, to make them reform their lives, and labour to be Converted. If men have but such a sense of Hell as many Reprobates ⟨p. 57⟩have had, there is no danger but they will take pains to be saved, Psal. 78.34. Tho' this will not Convert them, yet it will bring them nearer to the Kingdom of God, then they were; it will make them travel towards Christ, and overcome several impediments that lay in the way of their Conversion; though they don't see the great evil of sin, yet they will be afraid of it; though they don't see the excellency of Holiness, yet they will seek after it: Common Convictions are a preparation for Conversion.