N02171:10
The defects of preachers reproved in a sermon preached at Northampton, May 19th. 1723
The defects of preachers reproved in a sermon preached at Northampton, May 19th. 1723. / By Solomon Stoddard, Pastor of N. Hampton.
printed by T. Green, 1724
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.
If by the Reading a Passage in the Ensuing Sermon to this purpose, That it is frequent with Persons that have attained to Conversion, to know the Time of their Conversion; Your Soul should be cast into a darksome dejected Case, because although' you have thought you had been Converted, now you fear you was deceived, because you don't know the Time of your Conversion. Then
If by the Reading a Passage in the Ensuing Sermon to this purpose, That it is frequent with Persons that have attained to Conversion, to know the Time of their Conversion; Your Soul should be cast into a darksom dejected Case, because altho' you have thought you had been Converted, now you fear you was deceived, because you don't know the Time of your Conversion. Then
1. Don't hang in doubt about the Life of Grace that you are called unto. Don't quiet your self with a thinking that it is Likely that you are Converted. But;
2. Commune with your self. Search your Heart, Try your state; that you may find whether there hath not been the acting of Faith, of Repentance, Love to God & Christ, & love to Fellow-Christians. Consider whether you have not experienced that God hath shed abroad His Love in your Heart by His Holy Spirit. And if after your Care to find a reason for a Good Hope, you are doubtful whether your Reason thereof be good, get the Judgment of an Experienced Minister, whether the reason of your Hope is good. If you can find no sign of Grace, but do find reason to believe, and do verily believe, that a Saving Change hath never been wrought in you. Then
2. Commune with your self. Search your Heart, Try your state; that you may find whether there hath not been the acting of Faith, of Repentance, Love to God & Christ, & love to Fellow-Christians. Consider whether you have not experienc'd that God hath shed abroad His Love in your Heart by His Holy Spirit. And if after your Care to find a reason for a Good Hope, you are doubtful whether your Reason thereof be good, get the Judgment of an Experienced Minister, whether the reason of your Hope is good. If you can find no sign of Grace, but do find reason to believe, and do verily believe, that a Saving Change hath never been wrought in you. Then