N09311:190
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.
2 If there be great probability that you live in a way of faith, and love, and repentance, that do not make it evident. There is some probability of some mens faith, because gospel promises have been a comfort to them; and of ⟨p. 129⟩their love, because they are zealous and do delight in ordinances, and in praising God; of their repentance, for their sins are a great burden to them, and they are careful to avoid sin: but probabilities prove nothing; that may be probable, that may be false; there may be some probability of a thing, yet the contrary may be certain. Probabilities leave men under uncertainties. If they raise hopes, yet they leave room for fears. There may be probabilities one way, and as great probabilities the other way. Men will not content themselves with a probable title to their land. God will not take men to heaven because there is a probability of their goodness. Twenty Probabilities make the thing more probable, but they do not make it certain. Probabilities are no Demonstration. The hopes that are built on them may be disappointed, therefore we are directed to make our Calling and Election sure. 2 Pet. 1.10.
2 If there be great probability that you live in a way of faith, and love, and repentance, that do not make it evident. There is some probability of some mens faith, because gospel promises have been a comfort to them; and of ⟨p. 129⟩their love, because they are zealous and do delight in ordinances, and in praising God; of their repentance, for their sins are a great burden to them, and they are careful to avoid sin: but probabilities prove nothing; that may be probable, that may be false; there may be some probability of a thing, yet the contrary may be certain. Probabilities leave men under uncertainties. If they raise hopes, yet they leave room for fears. There may be probabilities one way, and as great probabilities the other way. Men will not content themselves with a probable title to their land. God will not take men to heaven because there is a probability of their goodness. Twenty Probabilities make the thing more probable, but they do not make it certain. Probabilites are no Demonstration. The hopes that are built on them may be disappointed, therefore we are directed to make our Calling and Election sure.