N09311:47
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.
CHAP. VII. Conversion is wrought by Light.
GOD is the Author of Conversion: Men must be born of the spirit. Whatever means are used they will be ineffectual, if there be not the operation of the spirit: Jam. 1.18. Of his own will begat he us. Such as are converted are born of God, Joh. 1.13. And the way wherein he doth it, is by letting spiritual light into the Soul; by irradiating the mind, letting in beams of light into the heart. In that way God increaseth Grace, and in that way he giveth Grace at first. While men remain in darkness, they do remain in the kingdom of darkness; but by enlightening the mind he changes the heart. It is by inward discoveries of the Glory of God that he sanctifies the heart▪ In this way the Gospel doth become a rod of strength. Psal. 110.2. The Lord shall send forth the rod of thy strength out of Zion. Spiritual sight prevails immediately upon the heart. Men that have refused a long while do refuse no longer after God lets in this light: Act. 26.18. To open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan ⟨p. 29⟩unto God. 2 Cor. 3.18. We all as with open face beholding in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord. All that are ignorant of God remain unconverted; all that know God are converted.
GOD is the Author of Conversion: Men must be born of the spirit. Whatever means are used they will be ineffectual, if there be not the operation of the spirit: