N01749:134
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.
THE Nature of Saving CONVERSION, AND THE Way wherein it is wrought. › MOTIVES.
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.
which evidently shows a great necessity of his conversion.
which evidently shews a great necessity of his conversion.
2. Your lives are full of sin. Men in their natural condition are guilty of a world of sin. Some of them live in a way of profaneness: They see their mouth against the heavens, Psal. 73.9. Some live in ways of sensuality, and wallow like swine in the mire. Some live in ways of injustice; they are beasts of prey. Some are mere earth-worms, seeking an heaven upon the earth: They are under the curse of the serpent; Dust shall be the serpents meat. And such of them as are addicted to morality and religion, are serving their lusts therein. The most orderly natural men do live an ungodly life. In all the works of their calling they carry themselves sinfully; Prov. 21.4. The ploughing of the wicked is sin. In all their ⟨p. 97⟩relations they carry themselves sinfully. Under all Providences they live ungodly. When they eat and drink, they do it not as they should, for God's Glory; but are eating and drinking damnation to themselves. Yea, their very Religion is iniquity, Isai. 1.5. Their hearts are set upon carnal things; Rom. 8.5. They that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh. Though some of them whose consciences are enlightened, are reforming their lives, and crying to God for the pardon of sin, yet they are minding carnal things as well as others; they are setting up their own righteousness, and nourishing the pride of their spirits, Rev. 3.17. And they don't mind the spiritual, but the bodily enjoyments o heaven. They pray for holiness but oppose it.