N01749:180
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. Though they be afterwards sorry for it. Some men fall into great transgression, but when they consider of it they are sorry for it. They don't justify themselves, neither do they excuse themselves, and say others do so as well as they, and if men be left of God who can help it; but they confess it, and bewail it before God, it is an affliction to them that they were carried away with temptation, they see they have acted foolishly, that they have despised the commandments of God, and they hope they shall never do so again, be drunk again, or lie again. Sometimes men take occasion to talk with them, and they are ready to own their fault, they are ashamed, and they shed tears; but after a while the temptation returns, and they are as bad again: They are like the dead fish, that are carried down the stream; but they are sorry again; and so they keep on, sinning and repenting. Just thus it was with Saul: Jonathan talks to him and he hearkens, 1 Sam. 19.6. Saul hearkened to Jonathan, and Saul sware, as the Lord liveth, he shall not be slain. After a while he is persecuting David again; but upon David's saving his life, he weeps and makes confession, 1 Sam. 24.16. Saul lift up his voice and wept. But upon […] invitation of the Ziphites he pursue […], and David spares his life a see• […] upon that Saul confesses and […] 20.21. Then said Saul, I have […] son David, for I will ⟨p. 135⟩no more do thee harm, I have played the fool, and erred exceedingly. There is no trusting such men; if they live in ways of sin, they are ungodly: Godly sorrow will make men live holily; 2 Cor. 7.10. Godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation, not to be repented of.
3. Though they be afterwards sorry for it. Some men fall into great transgression, but when they consider of it they are sorry for it. They don't justify themselves, neither do they excuse themselves, and say others do so as well as they, and if men be left of God who can help it; but they confess it, and bewail it before God, it is an affliction to them that they were carried away with temptation, they see they have acted foolishly, that they have despised the commandments of God, and they hope they shall never do so again, be drunk again, or lie again. Sometimes men take occasion to talk with them, and they are ready to own their fault, they are ashamed, and they shed tears; but after a while the temptation returns, and they are as bad again: They are like the dead fish, that are carried down the stream; but they are sorry again; and so they keep on, sinning and repenting. Just thus it was with Saul: Jonathan talks to him and he hearkens, 1 Sam. 19.6. Saul hearkned to Jonathan, and Saul sware, as the Lord liveth, he shall not be slain. After a while he is persecuting David again; but upon David's saving his life, he weeps and makes confession, 1 Sam. 24.16. Saul lift up his voice and wept. But upo• 〈…〉 •nvitation of the Ziphites he pursue 〈…〉, and David spares his life a see• 〈…〉 upon that Saul confesses and 〈…〉 20.21. Then said Saul, I have 〈…〉 son David, for I will ⟨p. 135⟩no more do thee harm, I have played the fool, and erred exceedingly. There is no trusting such men; if they live in ways of sin, they are ungodly: Godly sorrow will make men live holily; 2 Cor. 7.10. Godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation, not to be repented of.
USE II. Of encouragement to those that have seen gracious actings in their own hearts. I suppose that there be several of you that have seen the actings of grace in your own hearts. You have seen the workings of faith, as Paul, 2 Tim. 1.12. I know him whom I have believed; of love, as Peter, Joh. 21.17. Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee; of repentance, as Job, Job. 42.6. I abhor my self, and repent in dust and ashes. You may conclude from hence that you are godly. You may have scruples upon many accounts: You may be under difficulties because God hides his face at present from you: You may have temptation from singular afflictions, and because God denies to answer some prayers, in things that lie much upon your hearts: You may have difficulties from such workings of corruption as seems to be inconsistent with grace: […] have temptation because you do […] •ow; but if you have certainly […] •ng of a gracious spirit, i• […] if ten times, if one time […] •hat ⟨p. 136⟩you are godly. That which was not in being could not be seen; that which is not, is invisible. If there were no sun, or moon, or stars, none could be seen: So, if there were no faith, or love, they could not be seen. There may be grace where it is not seen, but where it is seen, there it i•; and you may conclude that you are […]. For,
USE II. Of encouragement to those that have seen gracious actings in their own hearts. I suppose that there be several of you that have seen the actings of grace in your own hearts. You have seen the workings of faith, as Paul, 2 Tim. 1.12. I know him whom I have believed; of love, as Peter, Joh. 21.17. Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee; of repentance, as Job,
1. This show, that there was at the time a principle of grace. The habits of grace are not immediately to be seen, but only by their workings. If there a gracious act, there must be a gracious principle; if there be no• an antecedent one, there must be at least a concomitant one; for while a man remains in his natural condition, he cannot act graciously; Rom. 8.7. The natural mind is enmity to God, and is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. If a man loves God, he is disposed to love him; if he believes in Christ, he is disposed to believe in Christ. It is impossible to do those actions without a disposition to do them; and that disposition is a principle or habit of grace. Every man that acts graciously is a new creature: Until the heart be changed, it will not carry gra•••usly. Any act or •ace is a sure tok•• […] ••tion: If a man believes in Christ o• i• […] •ly born of God; Joh. 1.12 […] him gave he power to […], even to them that believ• […] •o were born not of ⟨p. 137⟩blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. If a man breaths, and sees, and hears, and walks, he is certainly a living man. Where there is an act of life, there is a principle of life; 1 Joh. 37. He that doth righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Every effect must have a proper cause. If the heart were utterly opposite to believing, loving or repenting, he would not believe, love or repent. The heart of a man is always inclined to what he chooses. The Mind may understand a thing that he is not inclined to understand; but the Will never chooses without an inclination so to do. If there be a change in the behaviour of the heart, there is a change in the disposition of the heart.
2. If a principle of grace were once there, it is always there. It was otherwise▪ under the covenant of works: Adam's grace was perfect but mutable; for he did not fulfil the condition of the covenant; if he had once done that, his grace would have been immutable. But under the new covenant, if a man be once godly, he always will be godly; for every one who is godly, has fulfilled the condition of the covenant […] may decay, but it will never […] may wither, but never die. […] •ay be lost, but saving […] If grace be once begun it […] •.6. I am confident of this […] that ⟨p. 138⟩hath begun a good work in you, will perfect it to the day of Christ. The power of God is engaged for the preservation of grace. Once godly and always godly; 1 Pet. 1.5. Who are kept by the power of God, through faith unto salvation. Sometimes they are afraid they shall fall away, but whether they have more strength or less strength, they shall never fall away; God's Covenant is their security. Such men may have great temptations; Heretics may endeavour to seduce them, vicious men may seek to debauch them, worldly men may entice them, persecutors may seek to fright them out of their religion; but nothing can be two hard for them. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it, Cant. 8.7. They may have temptation to pride, to presumption, to discouragement; but if they be led into temptation, they will be delivered from evil. A principle of grace is like a living fountain; Joh. 4.14. Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him, shall never thirst; but the water that I had gave him, shall be in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life. False hearted men may fall away, but tho […] re under ill be more than Conqu […] e once godly, he will […] he lives an hundred and […] face be begun here, it […] aven.
USE III. Of direction to godly men, how you may know your sincerity; viz. by renewing the visible actings of grace. Many signs are given of holiness, that will not bear examination; and there is danger that many are deceived thereby. Some godly, and some ungodly men that find them in themselves may be comforted thereby, but they beget no assurance: And some men that find them in themselves, remain at a loss whether they be godly or no. The way to know your godliness, is to renew the visible exercises of grace. When a man sees that he loves God, and believes in Jesus Christ, he will not be unsatisfied about his godliness. If he has been in the dark, and in great temptations just before, yet this will beget assurance.
USE III. Of direction to godly men, how you may know your sincerity; viz. by renewing the visible actings of grace. Many signs are given of holiness, that will not bear examination; and there is danger that many are deceived thereby. Some godly, and some ungodly men that find them in themselves may be comforted thereby, but they beget no assurance: And some men that find them in themselves, remain at a loss whether they be godly or no. The way to know your godliness, is to renew the visible exercises of grace. When a man sees that he loves God, and believes in Jesus Christ, he will not be unsatisfyed about his godliness. If he has been in the dark, and in great temptations just before, yet this will beget assurance.
Here you may observe,
1. If you do not know that you live in sin, that can be no evidence of your godliness: As you cannot condemn your […], so you cannot justify your selves, Some persons examine themselves […] they live in any known sin; and […] •est enquiry they do not find […] do not find that they […] •f any duty, or in the […]. Their hearts do no• […] •hey ⟨p. 140⟩duly attend prayer, they are careful to sanctify the Sabbath, they live soberly, chastely, justly, they are true to their word, and faithful in their places, they don't know upon the most narrow search that they live in any way of sin, yet they cannot justify themselves from hence; 1 Cor. 4.4. I know nothing by my self yet am I not hereby justified: For men that examine themselves may be ignorant that they live in away of sin, yet they may live in a way of sin; men's understandings are corrupted, and they may live in pride, worldliness and unbelief, and not know it: They may think those corruptions don't reign when indeed they do reign. Many men that don't know that they live in sin, are fain to suspend their judgment about themselves; they hope from hence that they are holy, but don't know it. Though men don't know that they live in sin, yet God may know that they do: Prov. 30.12. There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, yet are not cleansed from their filthiness.
1. If you do not know that you live in sin, that can be no evidence of your godliness: As you cannot condemn your 〈…〉, so you cannot justify your selves, Some persons examine themselves 〈…〉 they live in any known sin; and 〈…〉 •est enquiry they do not find 〈…〉 do not find that they 〈…〉 •f any duty, or in the . Their hearts do no hey
2. If there be great probability that you live in a way of faith, and love, and repentance […] •on't make it evident. There is so• […] of some mens faith, because […] ••ve been a comfort to them; […] •••ause they are zealous […] •ances, and in praising […], for their sins are a ⟨p. 141⟩great burden to them, and they are careful to avoid sin: but probabilities prove nothing; that may be probable, that may be false▪ there may be some probability of a thing, yet the contrary may be certain. Probabilities leave men under uncertainties. If they raise hopes, yet they leave room for fears. There may be probabilities one way, and as great probabilities the other way. Men wont content themselves with a probable title to their land. God will not take men to heaven because there is a probability of their goodness. Twenty Probabilities make the thing more probable, but they don't make it certain. Probabilities are no Demonstrations. The hopes that are built on them may be disappointed, therefore we are directed to make our Calling and Election sure. 2 Pet. 1.10.
2. If there be great probability that you live in a way of faith, and love, and repentance 〈…〉 •on't make it evident. There is so• 〈…〉 of some mens faith, because 〈…〉 ••ve been a comfort to them; 〈…〉 •••ause they are zealous 〈…〉 •ances, and in praising 〈…〉, for their sins are a ⟨p. 141⟩
3. All the visible exercises of grace are evidential. The word of God tells that all that believe in Jesus Christ are Children of God. Joh. 1.12. To them that received him, gave he power to become the Sons of God. It tells •hat all that love God are heirs of s •••ven. Jam. 1.12. God has promised a […] •o them that love him. So it […] that have godly Sorrow shall […] 7.10. Godly sorrow work• […] Salvation. And that all […] shall have eternal life. […] but we are translated fro• […] • ause we love the brethren. […] of ⟨p. 142⟩these workings be clearly seen, the man has a sure evidence of his good estate: He has ground to cast the case for himself: It is no presumption for him to conclude his Justification: He has a divine warrant to give sentence for himself: At such a time when he pronounces himself a saint, he goes according to law and evidence: His confidence is assurance: For those exercises of grace that he is conscious to are peculiar to godly men, and do assuredly distinguish them from all other men.
3. All the visible exercises of grace are evidential. The word of God tells that all that believe in Jesus Christ are Children of God. Joh. 1.12. To them that received him, gave he power to become the Sons of God. It tells •hat all that love God are heirs of s •••ven. Jam. 1.12. God has promised a 〈…〉 •o them that love him. So it 〈…〉 that have godly Sorrow shall 〈…〉 7.10. Godly sorrow work Salvation. And that all shall have eternal life. but we are translated fro ause we love the brethren. of
4. The more these visible exercises of grace are renewed, the more certain you will be: the more frequently these actings are renewed • the more abiding and confirmed your assurance will be. A man that has been assured of such visible exercises of grace may quickly after be in doubt whether he was not mistaken▪ but when such actings are renewed again and again, he grows more settled and established about his good estate. If a man see a thing once, that makes him sure; but if afterwards he fear he was deceived, when he comes to se• […] he is more sure he is not mistake• […] ••d such passages in a Book he i• […] some months after some may […] that he was mistaken, so as […] •tion it himself; but when […] again, he is abundantly […] •re mens grace is multipl• […] peace is multiplied. 2 P. 1. […] •eace be multiplied unto yo• ⟨image ?⟩through the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. The third time the question was put • Peter whether he loved Christ, he answers with greater assurance; the very proposing of ••e question stirred up the working of a spirit •f love, and he speaks with very great confidence, Joh. 21.15, 16, 17. The first and se••nd time he says, Yea, Lord, thou knowest that • love thee: But the third time he speaks with ••eatest assurance, Lord thou knowest all things-••ou knowest that I l•ve thee. It went greatly to his heart that his love should be so often questioned, and so he was more abundantly satisfied in the truth of his love.
FINIS.
Page. | Line. | For. | Read. 9 | 26 | | Contraries 36 | 15 | considered | confirmed 59 | 17 | title | tittle 61 | 8 | | lives 71 | 4 | | Illuminati•• 110 | 25 | greece | grace
Page. | Line. | For. | Read. 9 | 26 | | Contraries 36 | 15 | considered | confirmed 59 | 17 | title | tittle 61 | 8 | | lives 71 | 4 | | Illuminati•• 110 | 25 | grece | grace
2. If a principle of grace were once there, it is always there. It was otherwise▪ under the covenant of works: Adam's grace was perfect but mutable; for he did not fulfill the condition of the covenant; if he had once done that, his grace would have been immutable. But under the new covenant, if a man be once godly, he always will be godly; for every one who is godly, has fulfilled the condition of the covenant 〈…〉 may decay, but it will never 〈…〉 may wither, but never die. 〈…〉 •ay be lost, but saving 〈…〉 If grace be once begun it 〈…〉 •.6. I am confident of this 〈…〉 that ⟨p. 138⟩hath begun a good work in you, will perfect it to the day of Christ. The power of God is engaged for the preservation of grace. Once godly and always godly; 1 Pet. 1.5. Who are kept by the power of God, through faith unto salvation. Sometimes they are afraid they shall fall away, but whether they have more strength or less strength, they shall never fall away; God's Covenant is their security. Such men may have great temptations; Hereticks may endeavour to seduce them, vitious men may seek to debauch them, worldly men may entice them, persecutors may seek to fright them out of their religion; but nothing can be two hard for them. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it, Cant. 8.7. They may have temptation to pride, to presumption, to discouragement; but if they be led into temptation, they will be delivered from evil. A principle of grace is like a living fountain; Joh. 4.14. Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him, shall never thirst; but the water that I had gave him, shall be in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life. False hearted men may fall away, but tho•• 〈…〉 •re under • •ill be more than Conqu•• 〈…〉 •e once godly, he will 〈…〉 he lives an hundred and 〈…〉 face be begun here, it 〈…〉 ••aven.
4. The more these visible exercises of grace are renewed, the more certain you will be: the more frequently these actings are renewed • the more abiding and confirmed your assuranc• will be. A man that has been assured of such visible exercises of grace may quickly after be in doubt whether he was not mistaken▪ but when such actings are renewed again and again, he grows more settled and established about his good estate. If a man see a thing once, that makes him sure; but if afterwards he fear he was deceived, when he comes to se• 〈…〉 he is more sure he is not mistake• 〈…〉 ••d such passages in a Book he i• 〈…〉 some months after some may 〈…〉 that he was mistaken, so as 〈…〉 •tion it himself; but when 〈…〉 again, he is abundantl• 〈…〉 •re mens grace is multipl• 〈…〉 peace is multiplied. 2 P. 1. 〈…〉 •eace be multiplied unto yo• ⟨image ?⟩through the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. The third time the question was put • Peter whether he loved Christ, he answers with greater assurance; the very proposing of ••e question stirred up the working of a spirit •f love, and he speaks with very great confidence, Joh. 21.15, 16, 17. The first and se••nd time he says, Yea, Lord, thou knowest that • love thee: But the third time he speaks with ••eatest assurance, Lord thou knowest all things-••ou knowest that I l•ve thee. It went greatly to his heart that his love should be so often questioned, and so he was more abundantly satisfied in the truth of his love.
