N01749:83
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.
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. 1 Pet. 2.7. God has made a new and living way by the blood of Christ; what tears would not do, what thousands of Rams could not effect, that has been done by the blood of Christ; Christ has answered all the challenges of the Law, and made reconciliation, bought off our Punishment, and made a purchase of Eternal Life, he has fulfilled every jot and title of the law, there be unsearchable riches in Christ, there is blood enough to cleanse away all Sin, a sacrifice sufficient to make atonement, price enough for our redemption, so that they may be saved without any reflection on the Justice of God. He also sees the faithfulness of God in the offers of the Gospel. God invites him to come to Jesus Christ, and commands him to believe, and has promised to accept of him in a way of coming to Christ, Acts 10.43. To him give all the prophets witness that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall have remission of Sins. And when men see those things, they see abundant encouragement to come to Christ, these encouragements ⟨p. 60⟩remove all difficulties, there is no one objection but is easily answered, the way is clear & plain, they see there can be no danger in relying on Christ.