N01446:223
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.
1. That he is indeed spiritually blind, and therefore he cannot see the evil of Sin; that is not to be seen, till men have received a Spiritual Understanding from God; and accordingly there is no necessity of seeing that in order to his Humiliation.
2. But yet he is capable to have an experimental sight of the badness of his own heart. Natural Conscience is able to discern that: Men may find by experience, that they are under the power of pride, of discontent, and carnal affection; and that they are utterly destitute of love to God, or any gracious disposition; these things are not discerned by a spiritual eye, but by a natural eye: Natural men may observe and discern the workings of their own hearts, Rom. 7.8. Sin taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of Concupiscence.
SOMETIMES the man says, he is willing to believe in Christ, but finds himself unable; he could be glad he could believe, but it is beyond him. In this Case he may be told,