N01749:70
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.
This may appear by these things,
1. From the shortness of the time wherein this discovery is made. There is but a very little time between the opening of the eyes, and the hearts closing with Christ, & the discovery is wont to last but a little time; and so it is impossible that he should have a distinct remembrance of every thing that he saw, The Spouse gives a very particular description of Christ in figurative expressions, Cant. 5. from v. 16. ad fin. And so Godly men are able to do from what they find in the word of God; but they can remember but a little account of what they saw at that time. If a man cast up his eyes to heaven, he sees a multitude of stars; but is not able to give a particular account of what he saw of the several stars and constellations. So, if a man should cast his eye upon a beautiful Person, he is much affected with his beauty; but he can't give a particular account of all his features, the comeliness of his forehead, eyes, cheeks and lips, nor give ⟨p. 50⟩a description of them. If a man should cast his eye upon a Garden wherein there is a variety of flowers, he may be much affected with it, yet not able to tell particularly what sorts of flowers he saw. Or if he should cast his eye upon a curious piece of Embroidery, he may perceive immediately that there is much curiosity in it; but he can't give an account of all the colours and resemblances that he cast his eye upon. Thus it is when men's eyes are opened. They see the way of Salvation to be a glorious way, but they can't tell particularly all that they saw; they had but a transient sight, and could not take such distinct notice of things, as to lay them up in their memory.
1. From the shortness of the time wherein this discovery is made. There is but a very little time between the opening of the eyes, and the hearts closing with Christ, & the discovery is wont to last but a little time; and so it is impossible that he should have a distinct remembrance of every thing that he saw, The Spouse gives a very particular description of Christ in figurative expressions,