N09311:99
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.
The two sorts of illumination, are resemblances of a twofold spiritual Illumination that saints have. One is by sanctified reason, whereby men are convinced of divine truths. Men understand the divine authority of the Scripture, and thereby they are assured of the truth of Promises and Threatenings: They are assured that God made the world, and from thence they are convinced of his eternal Power and Godhead: They know that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, and thereby they know the saving virtue of his Blood.
The two sorts of illumination, are resemblances of a twofold spiritual Illumination that saints have. One is by sanctified reason, whereby men are convinced of divine truths. Men understand the divine authority of the Scripture, and thereby they are assured of the truth of Promises and Threatnings: They are assured that God made the world, and from thence they are convinced of his eternal Power and Godhead: They know that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, and thereby they know the saving vertue of his Blood.
The other is by special discoveries of divine truths. They are led into Christ's chambers, as the phrase is, Cant. 1.4. God breaks into the heart by divine light, and gives great discoveries of his faithfulness, of his holiness, his ⟨p. 66⟩grace, the delight he takes in the sacrifice of Christ, and many other things. 2 Cor. 4.6. God hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ, Both these ways of conviction seem to be intimated, Eph. 1.17. That God may give unto you, the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.