N01446:301
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.
In this Case, the first care of the Minister must be, to get satisfaction concerning the state of the person, whether he be Regenerate or not. Not but that many things may be spoken that may be profitable to them, whether they be sincerely Godly or no: But if the Minister do not know their condition, he can't apply proper remedies; and he may speak that which may be very dangerous, if he supposes the man to be Unconverted, when he is Converted; he may torment him, and discourage him needlessly; if he supposes the man Converted when he is not, he may do him much damage by comforting him up in a false way; therefore it is very needful that he do get what satisfaction he can about their condition, that so he may be helpful to them in their distresses.
In this Case, the first care of the Minister must be, to get satisfaction concerning the state of the person, whether he be Regenerate or not. Not but that many things may be spoken that may be profitable to them, whether they be sincerely Godly or no: But if the Minister do not know their condition, he can't apply proper remedies; and he may speak that which may be very dangerous, if he supposes the man to be Unconverted, when he is Converted; he may torment him, and discourage him needlesly; if he supposes the man Converted when he is not, he may do him much damage by comforting him up in a false way; therefore it is very needful that he do get what satisfaction he can about their condition, that so he may be helpful to them in their distresses.
In order to his passing a right judgment upon their condition, he must be careful that he do not lay too much weight upon it, that they have been in Church-fellowship many years, that their Carriage has been orderly, that they are well accounted of where they live, for these are […] fallible signs, such things are common to Saints ⟨p. 94⟩and Hypocrites; though these things may be grounds of Charity; but a Minister had need have better grounds to go upon when he comforts up persons with hopes of Reconciliation.
In order to his passing a right judgment upon their condition, he must be careful that he do not lay too much weight upon it, that they have been in Church-fellowship many years, that their Carriage has been orderly, that they are well accounted of where they live, for these are fallible signs, such things are common to Saints