N01446:87
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 in danger of it, both because of the pride of his spirit, ready to magnify his own performances; and because of his fears of Hell, the tediousness of those fears make him ready to catch at any appearances of Conversion, and therefore he had need be exceeding ⟨p. 19⟩careful; it is good for him to understand what Conversion is, and what Preparation there must be in order thereunto; and if there be appearances to him at any time as if he were Converted, his way is to examine them thoroughly, and get the help of some that are skilful before he settle himself much in that persuasion.
1. That he is indeed in danger of it, both because of the pride of his spirit, ready to magnifie his own performances; and because of his fears of Hell, the tediousness of those fears make him ready to catch at any appearances of Conversion, and therefore he had need be exceeding ⟨p. 19⟩careful; it is good for him to understand what Conversion is, and what Preparation there must be in order thereunto; and if there be appearances to him at any time as if he were Converted, his way is to examine them thorowly, and get the help of some that are skilful before he settle himself much in that perswasion.
2. That he must leave himself as to that matter in the Hands of God: it is beyond his own power to deliver himself: if God delight in him, he will carry him through all the difficulties of the Work, and show him the right way; it may be God may have purposes of grace to him, and if so, he will show him the path of life.
2. That he must leave himself as to that matter in the Hands of God: it is beyond his own power to deliver himself: if God delight in him, he will carry him through all the difficulties of the Work, and shew him the right way; it may be God may have purposes of grace to him, and if so, he will shew him the path of life.