N01749:111
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.
Answ. 1. He cannot know it in a way of Arguing. We come to the knowledge of many things in a way of reasoning; arguing from things known, to things that are not known. ⟨p. 81⟩Thus a man may know his justification: He may argue thus, He that hath faith in Christ is justified; or he that has love to God is justified; or he that loves the brethren is passed from death to life: Because there is a certain connection between these graces and a state of justification. Thus a man may know by reasoning, that he has this and that particular grace: He may argue so, If I have the grace of faith, I have the grace of love, or humility; because there is a concatenation of graces, and they are inseparable one from another: But they don't know that they are gracious in this manner; the knowledge of their graces don't come in at that door.
1. He cannot prove it from any such acts as may proceed from other principles. A moral and religious conversation may proceed from other principles: Such a conversation is an argument to other men to be charitable, but it is no demonstration. The young man in the gospel walked exactly; Mat. 19.20. All these things have I done from my youth. Paul was conscientious; Phil. 3.6. Touching the righteousness that is in the Law I was blameless: Such a walk may proceed from fear of hell and hope of heaven. Zeal for God don't prove it: There may be zeal where there is no love: The Jews were great enemies to Christ, yet very zealous; Rom. 10.2. I bear them record, that they have a zeal for God. Paul had great zeal before he had any grace. ⟨p. 82⟩Natural conscience may produce zeal. Great affections don't prove it: The Jews cried, Hosanna to the Son of David. Striving against a self-righteous spirit don't prove it: Men may strive against it, yet not mortify it. Associating with godly men don't prove it: Ahithophel was David's companion,