N09311:148
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.
THE Nature of Saving CONVERSION, AND THE Way wherein it is wrought. › MOTIVES.
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.
There is a great deal of difficulty in the way of Reformation. It is a great while sometimes before they will forsake their evil ways: If they do many things like Herod, yet they stick at some particulars; they will bear many a gird of Conscience […] they will reform some things; they have their excuses and evasions. If they do thoroughly reform, and do duties of self denial, it is not brought about without a great deal of Terror. His mothers curse made Micah to reform his injustice; Judg. 17. They will not cast away their Idols of Gold without a great deal of terror, Isai. 2.20, 21. Many Persons deal very deceitfully a great while about the work of reformation; they pretend to reformation when they are not throughly reformed; their moisture is turned into the drought of summer before they will comply.
There is a great deal of difficulty in the way of Reformation. It is a great while sometimes before they will forsake their evil ways: If they do many things like Herod, yet they stick at some particulars; they will bear many a gird of Conscience 〈…〉 they will reform some things; they have their excuses and evasions. If they do thoroughly reform, and do duties of self denial, it is not brought about without a great deal of Terror. His mothers curse made Micah to reform his injustice; Judg. 17. They will not cast away their Idols of Gold without a great deal of terror, Isai. 2.20, 21. Many Persons deal very deceitfully a great while about the work of reformation; they pretend to reformation when they are not throughly reformed; their moisture is turned into the drought of summer before they will comply.
And there is a great deal of difficulty in the work of Humiliation. They are called to come to Jesus Christ, but they will try other methods first, and go about to establish their own righteousness,