N01749:175
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.
3. By these […] actings of grace, they may conclude […] •s a course of gracious carriages. ⟨p. 129⟩Godly men are described to be men that walk in a course of holiness. Psal. 119.1. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, that walk in the law of the Lord. And we find that godly men have been well satisfied that they have walked in a way of holiness. Isai. 39.3. Remember, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy fight. If it be enquired, how they do know that their obedience is not the fruit of natural conscience and common grace, as it is with many others: The Answer is, that they see now and then the plain exercises of grace, and from thence conclude, that they are under the influence of a gracious spirit in their walk; that though they be guilty of much formality and hypocrisy, yet there is a spirit of holiness working in them, and an hearty care to keep the commandments of God. If a man sees now and then a spirit of love to God, he may safely conclude that his religion is not the fruit of ostentation, or slavish fear, but that a gracious spirit doth stir him up to perform his duty, and that his walk is holy.
3. By these 〈…〉 actings of grace, they may conclude 〈…〉 •s a course of gracious carriages. ⟨p. 129⟩Godly men are described to be men that walk in a course of holiness. Psal. 119.1. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, that walk in the law of the Lord. And we find that godly men have been well satisfyed that they have walked in a way of holiness. Isai. 39.3. Remember, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy fight. If it be enquired, how they do know that their obedience is not the fruit of natural conscience and common grace, as it is with many others: The Answer is, that they see now and then the plain exercises of grace, and from thence conclude, that they are under the influence of a gracious spirit in their walk; that though they be guilty of much formality and hypocrisy, yet there is a spirit of holiness working in them, and an hearty care to keep the commandments of God. If a man sees now and then a spirit of love to God, he may safely conclude that his religion is not the fruit of ostentation, or slavish fear, but that a gracious spirit doth stir him up to perform his duty, and that his walk is holy.