N09311:125
The nature of saving conversion, and the way
The nature of saving conversion, and the way wherein it is wrought. By the Rev'd. learned, and eminently pious, Mr. Solomon Stoddard of Northampton, New-England, first published A.D. 1719.
Boston: : Printed for and sold by Edmund Sawyer, at his house in Newbury., 1770
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.
THE grace given in conversion, like other qualities, doth admit of innumerable degrees; and is very imperfect in the best of the People of God. Godly men are far from pretending to perfection: Job 9.20. If I say I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse. Hence we find lamentations of some of the choicest men that have been in the world: Prov. 30. Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man. Rom. 7.23.24. I see another law in my members, bringing me into captivity. O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death? The sorrowful falls of David, Solomon, Hezekiah, Jonah, Peter, are sufficient demonstrations of ⟨p. 82⟩this; and that warfare that every godly man doth experience: Gal 5 17. The flesh lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary the one to the other: So that ye cannot do the things that ye would Especially, grace at first conversion is very small; if after twenty or thirty years growth, it is very defective, it must needs be very small at first.
There be many reasons why God suffers much sin to remain in his people, while they remain in this world.
1 That the work of sanctification may be so carried on, that they may be in continual need of Justification and Pardon The pardoning of the sins that men committed in their unconverted state, is a great manifestation of the riches of his grace, and the virtue of the blood of Jesus Christ; but God doth day by day pardon the repeated iniquities of his people; forgives men thousands of times, tho' they have abused mercy, broken vows, fallen from resolutions: This doth wonderfully command the grace of God, and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. If there were not experience of it, it would be difficult to conceive, that God would be willing so to do. These are mighty instances of the unsearchable depth of mercy that is in the heart of God; and lead me to say, as Mic. 2 18. Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage, and retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.