N09311:183
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.
3 Though they be afterwards sorry for it. Some men fall into great transgression, but when they consider of it they are sorry for it. They do not justify themselves, neither do they ⟨p. 123⟩excuse themselves, and say others do so as well as they, and if men be left of God who can help it; but they confess it, and bewail it before God, it is an affliction to them that they were carried away with temptation, they see they have acted foolishly, that they have despised the commandments of God, and they hope they shall never do so again, be drunk, again, or lie again. Sometimes men take occasion to talk with them, and they are ready to own their fault, they are ashamed, and they shed tears; but after a while the temptation returns, and they are as bad again: They are like the dead fish, that are carried down the stream; but they are sorry again; and so they keep on, sinning and repenting. Just thus it was with Saul: Jonathan talks to him and he hearkens, 1 Sam. 19 6. Saul hearkened to Jonathan, and Saul sware, as the Lord liveth, he shall not be slain. After a while he is persecuting David again; but upon David's saving his life, he weeps and makes confession, 1 Sam. 24.16. Saul lift up his voice and wept. But upon the Invitation of the Ziphites he pursues David again, and David spares his life a second time; and upon that Saul confesses and promises, I Sam. 26 21. Then said Saul, I have sinned, return my son David, for I will no more do thee harm, I have played the fool, and erred exceedingly. There is no trusting such men; if they live in ways of sin, they are ungodly. Godly sorrow will make men live holily; 2 Cor. 7.10. Godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation, not to be repented of.
3 Though they be afterwards sorry for it. Some men fall into great transgression, but when they consider of it they are sorry for it. They do not justify themselves, neither do they ⟨p. 123⟩