N01749:101
A treatise concerning conversion: showing the nature of saving conversion to God, and the…A treatise concerning conversion: shewing the nature of saving conversion to God, and the…
A treatise concerning conversion: showing the nature of saving conversion to God, and the way wherein it is wrought; together with an exhortation to labour after it. : To which is added, a lecture-sermon had at Boston, July 2. 1719. Wherein the way to know sincerity and hypocrisy is cleared up. / By Solomon Stoddard, Pastor of Northampton.A treatise concerning conversion: shewing the nature of saving conversion to God, and the way wherein it is wrought; together with an exhortation to labour after it. : To which is added, a lecture-sermon had at Boston, July 2. 1719. Wherein the way to know sincerity and hypocrisy is cleared up. / By Solomon Stoddard, Pastor of Northampton.
Boston: printed by J.F. i.e for D. Henchman, 1719
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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. Carnal reason doth not receive a right Idea of divine things. Godly men though they have the exercise of spiritual reason, cannot find out the Almighty unto perfection: But yet they do know God and Jesus Christ, Joh. 17.3. They have a true idea of God; they know him to be one of infinite perfection; they know him to be a God of infinite power, grace and faithfulness; they are convinced that he is worthy of that love, faith and submission that he calls for; Psal. 18.3. I will call upon God who is worthy to be praised. They know that divine honour is due to him; Psal. 29.2. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name. But carnal men have not a right idea of God: They acknowledge that he is infinite in his perfections, and can give some description of his infinite perfections; but they have not a right Idea of his glorious nature, are not sensible what reverence and glory is due to him; and therefore they ⟨p. 75⟩are said to be ignorant of him: Joh. 4.8. He that loveth not, knoweth not God.
The difference between those affecting illuminations that carnal men have, — those discoveries that are given to godly men, lies in these two particulars.
1. The illuminations that carnal men have, are affecting, but not convincing. They are many times much affected with Joy; so they said, What a blessedness is it! when Paul preached the gospel unto them,