N01446:97
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.
3. That it is a dreadful sin to destroy himself. It is a sin against nature, it is unthankfulness for Gods mercy in saving his life; that this is far worse than other sins that are very terrifying ⟨p. 22⟩to him; this is the way to throw himself immediately into endless misery. Whatever may be said of the possibility of the Salvation of such persons, there is no reason to think that one in a thousand is saved; this sin is heinous, and quickly cuts off their opportunities: Such a man as is tempted to this Sin, would be afraid to tell a lye, or to profane the Sabbath; how much more has he reason to fear this sin, which will bring him presently to Eternal Damnation? It is a poor remedy to deliver himself from anguish, to throw himself into that, which is unspeakably greater; certain damnation is far more dreadful than the fears they are oppressed by: this will make their condition much worse, and not better.
3. That it is a dreadful sin to destroy himself. It is a sin against nature, it is unthankfulness for Gods mercy in saving his life; that this is far worse than other sins that are very terrifying ⟨p. 22⟩to him; this is the way to throw himself immediately into endless misery. Whatever may be said of the possibility of the Salvation of such persons, there is no reason to think that one in a thousand is saved; this sin is heinous, and quickly cuts off their opportunities: Such a man as is tempted to this Sin, would be afraid to tell a lye, or to prophane the Sabbath; how much more has he reason to fear this sin, which will bring him presently to Eternal Damnation? It is a poor remedy to deliver himself from anguish, to throw himself into that, which is unspeakably greater; certain damnation is far more dreadful than the fears they are oppressed by: this will make their condition much worse, and not better.
SOMETIMES he complains of a self-righteous Spirit; that he is ready to trust to every thing he does: that especially when he feels any affections, he is proud of them, and ready to make a righteousness of them: In this Case it may be profitable,