N01749:82
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.
I. The soul sees the reason and foundation of spiritual carriages. Holy carriages are very reasonable; but whatever is presented before men to persuade them, nothing will have any efficacy on them, until God gives spiritual light; for naturally they are blind, they are at a loss about the reality of those things, tho' they make a continual profession of them: But when God shines into their hearts with the light of life, they are convinced of those things that are the foundations of such carriages. They counted them probable before, but now they are evident to them.
I. The soul sees the reason and foundation of spiritual carriages. Holy carriages are very reasonable; but whatever is presented before men to perswade them, nothing will have any efficacy on them, until God gives spiritual light; for naturally they are blind, they are at a loss about the reality of those things, tho' they make a continual profession of them: But when God shines into their hearts with the light of life, they are convinced of those things that are the foundations of such carriages. They counted them probable before, but now they are evident to them.
1. They see the foundations of faith in Jesus Christ. When the eyes of men are opened they see the gracious Nature of God, that he can have mercy on whom he will have mercy, that he can find in his heart to have compassion, on them, though they be mere creatures and uncapable to be any profit to him, though they cannot recompense him; and though sinful creatures, whatever be the number and aggravation of their sins: they see that there is an excellency in the loving ⟨p. 59⟩kindness of God. Psal. 36.7. They are convinced that none is like to God in Mercy; that he can abundantly pardon; that his ways are not as our ways; that he is the God of all Grace; that his mercy is unlimited; that his mercy passes knowledge; and so their unworthiness is no ground of discouragement. He sees also a sufficiency in Christ, Christ is precious in his eyes.