N01749:116
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.
Paul's meaning is, that the miraculous works of the Spirit are a witness to the Christian Religion. The thing that is witnessed ⟨p. 85⟩to is, that sincere Christians are the children of God; that the Christian religion is the true religion; and that all that embrace it indeed are the heirs of eternal life: And the Person that witnesseth is the Holy Ghost; he testifies to it by Miracles and extraordinary Gifts. The mighty works of the Spirit of God in the primitive times, were evidences of the truth of the Christian religion; they were wrought for that very end. Heb. 2.4. God also bearing them witness with signs and wonders, and divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost. 1 Thes. 1.5. Our gospel came unto you, not in word only, but also in power, and in much assurance, and in the Holy Ghost.
3. It is by Intuition or seeing of grace in their own hearts. It is by consciousness; as Peter knew his love to Christ, when he says, Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee, Joh. 11.17. And as David knew his love to God; Psal. 116.1. I love the Lord, And as Job knew his repentance; Job. 42.6. I abhor my self in dust and ashes. And as Paul knew that he knew Christ; 1 Tim. 1.12. I know whom I have believed. There is a reflecting power in man: As he can look out and see external objects, so he can look in, and see his own actions. In this manner saints know the corrupt workings of their own hearts: They know their pride, and worldliness, and ⟨p. 86⟩