N09311:184
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.
USE II. Of encouragement to those that have seen gracious actings in their own hearts. I suppose that there be several of you that have seen the actings of grace in your own hearts. You have seen the workings of faith, as Paul 2 Tim. 1.12. I know him whom I have believed. of love, as Peter. Joh, 21.17 Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee; of repentance, as Job. Job 42.6. I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes. You may conclude from hence that you are godly. You may have scruples upon many account: You may be under difficulties because God hides his face at present from you: You may have temptation from singular afflictions, and because God denies to answer some prayers, in things that lie much upon your hearts: You may have difficulties from such workings of corruption as seems to be inconsistent with Grace: You may have temptation because you do not seem to grow; but if you have certainly seen the working of a gracious spirit, if an hundred times, if ten times, if one time, you may conclude that you are godly. That which was not in being could not be seen that which is not, is invisible. If there were no sun, or moon, or stars, none could be seen: So, if there were no faith, or love, they could not be seen. There may be grace where it is not seen, but where it is seen, there it is; and you may conclude that you are godly. For,
USE II. Of encouragement to those that have seen gracious actings in their own hearts. I suppose that there be several of you that have seen the actings of grace in your own hearts. You have seen the workings of faith, as Paul 2 Tim. 1.12. I know him whom I have believed. of love, as Peter. Joh, 21.17 Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee; of repentance, as Job. Job 42.6. I abhor myself and repentin dust and ashes. You may conclude from hence that you are godly. You may have scruples upon many account: You may be under difficulties because God hides his face at present from you: You may have temptation from singular afflictions, and because God denies to answer some prayers, in things that lie much upon your hearts: You may have difficulties from such workings of corruption as seems to be inconsistent with Grace: You may have temptation because you do not seem to grow; but if you have certainly seen the working of a gracious spirit, if an hundred times, if ten times, if one time, you may conclude that you are godly. That which was not in being could not be seen that which is not, is invisible. If there were no sun, or moon, or stars, none could be seen: So, if there were no faith, or love, they could not be seen. There may be grace where it is not seen, but where it is seen, there it is; and you may conclude that you are godly. For,