N01749:113
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. He cannot prove it from any such acts of Providence as are common to carnal men. Some men have smiling providences and great deliverances. God is very bountiful; and many argue from thence that they are godly; but they don't argue strongly: God may ⟨p. 83⟩smile on men here, and frown on them in the day of Judgment. Jude 5. The Lord having saved the people out of the Land of Egypt, afterwards destroyed them who believed not. Prosperity is no sign of the true Church, no• of mens being members of the mystical Church. So, if God do the thing for men that they pray for, that is no argument: Many prayers are granted that are not accepted. God hears the cry of the Ravens: God heard the voice of Ishmael. Sometimes God denies men's prayers because they ask amiss, but not always. Men may be instruments of a great deal of good in the Church, and in the common wealth; yet be destitute of grace. Saul did a great deal of service in Israel, 2 Sam. 1.24. Ministers may be instruments of the conversion of sinners and the comfort of saints, yet not be godly. There were several godly in Israel under the ministry of the Scribes and Pharisees; and the Ravens brought meat to Elijah.
2. They don't know it by believing that they are godly. We know many things by faith: Heb. 11.1. By faith we understand that the worlds were made by the power of God. Faith is the evidence of things not seen, Heb. 11.1. Thus men know the Trinity of Persons in the Godhead; that Jesus Christ is the Son of God; that he that believes in him will have eternal life; the resurrection of the dead. And if God should tell a saint that he hath ⟨p. 84⟩