N01446:46
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 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.
3. There can be no benefit of such direction but only this, that they may find by experience their own ability; that after they have done their utmost, they may by their experience understand their own helplessness: it is the duty of men to love God, and to repent of sin; and it is the duty of Sinners to labour that they may love God, and repent of sin, &c. but it is not in their power to work up their hearts to the love of God, and Godly Sorrow; they should labour to be convinced, they cannot do it.
3. There can be no benefit of such direction but only this, that they may find by experience their own •ability; that after they have done their utmost, they may by their experience understand their own helplessness: it is the duty of men to love God, and to repent of sin; and it is the duty of Sinners to labour that they may love God, and repent of sin, &c. but it is not in their power to work up their hearts to the love of God, and Godly Sorrow; they should labour to be convinced, they cannot do it.