N09311:70
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. XI. No man is able to give a full Account of all that he saw when this light did first shine into his heart.
THERE is a great deal of difference in this light as to the clearness of it; all that have this spiritual light do not see things with the like clearness; the discoveries are more dim in some than in others. There are degrees of natural light, so of the light of reason, so of spiritual light. This light is sometimes called wisdom. Sometimes because of the clearness of it, it is called revelation. Eph. 1.17. That God would give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. But whether the sight be clear or more obscure, they do all see the truth of the gospel; that Christ is a sufficient foundation for them to build upon, that it is safe to cast themselves upon him; that Christ is precious, and that the gospel is of divine authority. But no man is able to give an exact account of all that he did see at that time. The thing was done in ⟨p. 45⟩the twinkling of an eye; and though men never forget it, yet they cannot call to mind all that they were convinced of; no, not if they were to give an account the next hour. Men have not at that time the actual understanding of all gospel principles: Indeed they saw that that way of Salvation that they had been for many years instructed in was true; but they have not the actual understanding of them at the very time: Yet they did see, and actually understood at the time, a great deal more than they can remember.