N01446:189
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. If there be a difference, men might be able to tell what the difference is, and apply it. There is a difference between common grace and saving grace, and we are able to give an account what it is: So if there were a difference between the Convictions of the Elect and Reprobate, we might be able from the Word of God to tell what the difference is; if ordinary men could not do it, yet it might be expected, that such as have a deeper insight into the Scriptures should: There God gives us Rules to discern the difference that is in his Dispensations; but no man in the world is able to tell what Convictions of Wrath and Hell are peculiar to Elect Sinners, and what are peculiar to Reprobates. Can we distinguish them by their kinds, by their degree, by their continuance, by their immediate effects? What Rules have we to guide us in this matter? And can we make an application to persons? If Sinners give us a true account of their terrors, can we tell one that his Convictions are such as are proper to the Elect, and they will end in Conversion; ⟨p. 59⟩and another, that his Convictions are the Convictions of Reprobates, and that they will end in Damnation? This would be a bold Undertaking of any man; the Scripture is silent about is; yea, the Scripture speaks the contrary, Luk. 12.52, them that were entering in the hindered.
3. If there be a difference, men might be able to tell what the difference is, and apply it. There is a difference between common grace and saving grace, and we are able to give an account what it is: So if there were a difference between the Convictions of the Elect and Reprobate, we might be able from the Word of God to tell what the difference is; if ordinary men could not do it, yet it might be expected, that such as have a deeper insight into the Scriptures should: There God gives us Rules to discern the difference that is in his Dispensations; but no man in the world is able to tell what Convictions of Wrath and Hell are peculiar to Elect Sinners, and what are peculiar to Reprobates. Can we distinguish them by their kinds, by their degree, by their continuance, by their immediate effects? What Rules have we to guide us in this matter? And can we make an application to persons? If Sinners give us a true account of their terrors, can we tell one that his Convictions are such as are proper to the Elect, and they will end in Conversion;