N09311:91
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.
1 When they see the foundation of holy carriages they are able to carry holily. Men cannot come to Christ unless the Father draw them, Joh. 6.44. But the way whereby he draws them is by teaching them, v. 45. And when this light is let into them, they are able. Many sinners are concerned to get the pardon of sin; and they resolve to come to Christ, and they strive to come to Christ, but they cannot; it seems to them a dangerous thing to venture themselves on Christ, and they cannot overcome their fears: They set many encouraging considerations before themselves, but they cannot vanquish their fears; they dare not for their heart venture upon Christ: They are as unable to come as a man that is bound with chains is to come out of prison. It is a terror to them to continue as they be, yet they dare not cast themselves upon Christ: But when their eyes are opened to see the free grace of God and the preciousness of Christ, their fears are removed; their fetters are taken off, and now they can come▪ ⟨p. 59⟩Yea, they dare not stay away from Christ, they would not for a world stay away from Christ: Satan with all his artifices cannot persuade them to neglect Christ. They have been in great distress, and now they see the relief that is provided for them; they are under a necessity in their own spirits to accept the call. In like manner when they see the gloriousness of God, they are able to love him. They were before urged in conscience to do it, and had abundance of arguments set before them to induce them to love him; but nothing would prevail upon them, because they were strangers to the loveliness of God: But as soon as ever their eyes were opened to see the glorious grace of God in the gospel, now they can love him. They made a profession before, but now they are sincere; Psal. 36.10. Stretch forth thy loving kindness to them that know thee, and thy righteousness to the upright in heart. The heart is drawn to God, they cannot deny their love to him. Whatever was dear to them before, now God is dearest to them. And in like manner, now they can indeed abase themselves, when they see the divine excellency of God: They look on themselves infinitely inferior to him, and lay themselves low before him.