and rise
night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not
how; for the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself, first the blade,
then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear."

In some, converting light is like a glorious brightness suddenly shining
upon a person, and all around him: they are in a remarkable manner
brought out of darkness into marvelous light. In many others it has been
like the dawning of the day, when at first but a little light appears,
and it may be presently hid with a cloud; and then it appears again, and
shines a little brighter, and gradually increases, with intervening
darkness, till at length it breaks forth more clearly from behind the
clouds. And many are, doubtless, ready to date their conversion wrong,
throwing by those lesser degrees of light that appeared at first
dawning, and calling some more remarkable experience they had
afterwards, their conversion. This often, in a great measure, arises
from a wrong understanding of what they have always been taught, that
conversion is a great change, wherein old things are done away, and all
things become new, or at least from a false inference from that
doctrine.

Persons commonly at first conversion, and afterwards, have had many
texts of Scripture brought to their minds, which are exceeding suitable
to their circumstances, often come with great power, as the word of God
or of Christ indeed; and many have a multitude of sweet invitations,
promises, and doxologies flowing in one after another, bringing great
light and comfort with them, filling the soul brimful, enlarging the
hear