N01446:95
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 the Devil is very active in this temptation, though he has that in his own heart, that may lead him to it; yet it's Satan that stirs him up thereunto. The Devil entered into Judas when he betrayed Christ, and was ⟨p. 21⟩not gone out of him when he destroyed himself. The Devil has a double design in it; one is to secure the man, he is afraid he shall lose him, now he is troubled about his Condition, and is taking pains for Salvation. Satan is jealous lest he will escape out of his hands, and labours to make him destroy himself, that he may presently secure him, then there will be no danger of his running away. The other design is to bring a reproach upon trouble of Conscience, and discourage others from giving way to Convictions. If there be but one such Instance in a Town, that will make many others to stifle Convictions, lest they should come to the like End.
1. That the Devil is very active in this temptation, though he has that in his own heart, that may lead him to it; yet it's Satan that stirs him up thereunto. The Devil entred into Judas when he betrayed Christ, and was ⟨p. 21⟩not gone out of him when he destroyed himself. The Devil has a double design in it; one is to secure the man, he is afraid he shall lose him, now he is troubled about his Condition, and is taking pains for Salvation. Satan is jealous lest he will escape out of his hands, and labours to make him destroy himself, that he may presently secure him, then there will be no danger of his running away. The other design is to bring a reproach upon trouble of Conscience, and discourage others from giving way to Convictions. If there be but one such Instance in a Town, that will make many others to stifle Convictions, lest they should come to the like End.
2. That there is good reason to hope that he may obtain Salvation. It is discouragement that leads men to such practices: And if he have but considerable hope of obtaining peace with God, there is not much danger of his hearkening to the temptation; therefore such things may be suggested, as are proper to bear up his heart, as that the Spirit of God is striving with him in order to his Salvation; that Satan is afraid he will be saved, that his sins are no other than what God has pardoned oftentimes, and the like.