N01749:122
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.
There may be many reasons why God suffers much sin to remain in his people, while they remain in this world.
1. That the work of sanctification may be so carried on, that they may be in continual need of Justification and Pardon. The pardoning of the sins that men committed in their unconverted state, is a great manifestation of the riches of his grace, and the virtue of the blood of Jesus Christ; but God doth day by day pardon the repeated iniquities of his people; forgives men thousands of times, tho' they have abused mercy, broken vows, fallen from resolutions: This doth wonderfully commend the grace of God, and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. If there were not experience of it, it would be difficult to conceive that God would be willing so to do. These are mighty instances of the unsearchable depth of mercy that is in the heart of God; and lead men to say, as Mic. 2.18. Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of ⟨p. 90⟩his heritage, and retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.
2. Because they live among carnal men, scattered up and down among unconverted men; and if this their Grace were perfect, they would not be fit to live together; it would be known who were godly and who ungodly, which would fill Families, Towns and Countries with Temptation: Godly Men would be p• […] it to bear the carriages of the ungodly, and ungodly men would not know how to bear the carriages of the Godly; it would fill all societies with disquietment and trouble.
2. Because they live among carnal men, scattered up and down among unconverted men; and if this their Grace were perfect, they would not be fit to live together; it would be known who were godly and who ungodly, which would fill Families, Towns and Countries with Temptation: Godly Men would be p it to bear the carriages of the ungodly, and ungodly men would not know how to bear the carriages of the Godly; it would fill all societies with disquietment and trouble.