N01446:45
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. 1. If their terrors are great, they me needy of themselves to labour to do this, from a self righteous Spirit; that they may […] neart of God and assuage his anger, they commonly take a great deal of pains in order thereto, that they may work […] qualifications […] themselves; the […] considerations ⟨p. 6⟩before themselves, read and hear, and use all the methods that are in their power, to enliven their own hearts.
Answ. 1. If their terrors are great, they me neady of themselves to labour to do this, from a self righteous Spirit; that they may 〈…〉 neart of God and asswage his anger, they commonly take a great deal of pains in order thereto, that they may work 〈…〉 qualificatious 〈…〉 themselves; the 〈…〉 considerations ⟨p. 6⟩before themselves, read and hear, and use all the methods that are in their power, to enliven their own hearts.
2. It is a presumptuous thing for them to strive for this, for it is impossible for them to work up such things in their own hearts; they are dead in sins, and cannot sanctify themselves; no principle that they have, will produce such an effect; fear will not make them do it, the fear of Hell cannot make men hate sin more than Hell: Self-love will not make them love God above themselves: they cannot by Consideration work any such effect upon their hearts, for they don't understand spiritual things: Encouragements will not make them do it, for it is beyond their power: Resolutions will be ineffectual, they may as easily remove Mountains as to do this; therefore it is they should not strive to work their own hearts to it.
2. It is a presumptuous thing for them to strive for this, for it is impossible for them to work up such things in their own hearts; they are dead in sins, and cannot sanctify themselves; no principle that they have, will produce such an effect; fear will not make them do it, the fear of Hell cannot make men hate sin more than Hell: Self-love will not make them love God above themselves: they cannot by Considetation work any such effect upon their hearts, for they don't understand spiritual things: Encouragements will not make them do it, for it is beyond their power: Resolutions will be ineffectual, they may as easily remove Mountains as to do this; therefore it is they should not strive to work their own hearts to it.