N09311:52
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. VIII. Men are capable to receive Light from the Spirit of God, before they have an habitual Change in their Understanding.
MAN in his natural estate is represented in Scripture at utterly depraved, dead in trespasses and sins. He is blind, and in darkness. And it may be thought that he is incapable to see the gloriousness of God, until there be first an habitual change in his understanding; but if we examine the word of God, we may find plain intimations, that this light doth precede the habitual change. Joh. 5.25. The time is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that bear shall live. Hearing the voice of Christ is antecedent to their living: It is in that way that life enters into them, 2 Cor. 3.18. We all with open face beholding as is a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image: Before they are changed into God's image, they do behold his Glory. This makes it evident, that men are capable to behold the glory of the Lord before the habitual change. God discovers his Glory, and that inclines him to assent and draws forth an actual assent. Which may be further considered by these considerations.
MAN in his natural estate is represented in Scripture at utterly depraved, dead in trespasses and sins. He is blind, and in darkness. And it may be thought that he is incapble to see the gloriousness of God, until there be first an habitual change in his undestanding; but if we examine the word of God, we may find plain intimations, that this light doth precede the habitual change. Joh. 5.25. The time is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that bear shall live. Hearing the voice of Christ is antecedent to their living: It is in that way that life enters into them, 2 Cor. 3.18. We all with open face beholding as is a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image: Before they are changed into God's image, they do behold his Glory. This makes it evident, that men are capable to behold the glory of the Lord before the habitual change. God discovers his Glory, and that inclines him to assent and draws forth an actual assent. Which may be further considered by these considerations.