N01446:274
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.
2. It is no ways fit to tell a man that God will show mercy to him. For though this be the manner of God, when men are prepared for Grace, to bestow Grace upon them, yet there is no promise in the Scripture made to such persons; the promises are made to Coming to Christ: Faith is the Condition of Salvation; and though there be many promises made to Humility, yet there are none made to Humiliation. And he is to be told, That he is in Gods hands, God is at liberty to do as he will with him, and that he must wait upon God to open his eyes, and show Jesus Christ unto him.
2. It is no wayes fit to tell a man that God will shew mercy to him. For though this be the manner of God, when men are prepared for Grace, to bestow Grace upon them, yet there is no promise in the Scripture made to such persons; the promises are made to Coming to Christ: Faith is the Condition of Salvation; and though there be many promises made to Humility, yet there are none made to Humiliation. And he is to be told, That he is in Gods hands, God is at liberty to do as he will with him, and that he must wait upon God to open his eyes, and shew Jesus Christ unto him.
3. It is very meet to set the Gospel before him, and mind him of Gods sending of Christ into the World to Save Sinners. That Jesus Christ has satisfied the Justice of God, and performed perfect Obedience for us: That God has pardoned many through Christ, that he offers Salvation to him through Jesus Christ; and that God has promised Eternal Life to all that do accept of Christ: That those that have nothing to bring with them shall be welcome to him,; that God is of infinite ⟨p. 87⟩mercy, and delights to glorify his Grace in Saving the Chief of Sinners: That because we had no worthiness, God has provided a worthiness for us in Christ: That Christ is the Author of Eternal Salvation to all that come to him: That Gods love is free, and there is no danger in venturing upon Christ; whoever believeth on him shall not be confounded.