Conversion, Its Theory and Process, Practically Delineated

Excerpt from Conversion, Its Theory and Process, Practically Delineated

The chief objects of the following work are to enlighten the honest inquirer in relation to his duty to God, to encourage the believer in faith and hope, and to aid the churches in advancing the work of grace in their congregations. The writer is deeply impressed with the responsibility of attempting to guide immortal souls into the right paths, but the providence of God seems so evidently to have "laid a necessity upon him," that he dares not shrink from the duty. In discharging it, he has endeavored to present the cardinal evangelical doctrines without formality, and merely as the exigencies of his subject demanded; and while he has avoided dry theological discussions and every thing merely theoretical, he has not hesitated to develop every important principle which was adapted to his designs, even at the hazard of being considered too particular by the ignorant or indolent.

In the earlier period of his ministry he was much disheartened by the absence of that precision of instruction in relation to the sinner's duty to Christ which is so indispensable to his intelligent discharge of it, and consequently to his final salvation. In every other branch of science such accuracy is attainable, and indeed is a peculiar beauty in the legal and other professions; and it seemed evident that the Scriptures intended it should be acquired on this most important of all subjects also. The many discouraging apostasies which followed his own and others' instructions, finally determined the writer to devote himself to a study of the position, exigencies, and capabilities of impenitent and regenerate mind, the truths that were adapted to its various frames, and the ways of the Holy Spirit with the hearts of men so far as they were revealed or were discoverable from the impressions produced by him.

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