Thomas Shepard, The Sound Believer

Carla Ann McGill (Independent Scholar - North America)
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The Sound Believer. Or, a Treatise of Evangelical Conversion

, like

The Sincere Convert

, went through many printings beginning in 1645 and extending through 1798. The two works are similar in that they both focus on the process of conversion, seeking to inform the prospective or uncertain believer of the efficacy of seeking salvation. Since conversion was a complex process that could be delineated by specific stages, each distinct from the other, the description of the work of grace upon the soul of the individual was of primary importance to Puritan communities. In the New England churches, the matter became even more important due to the fact that church membership required a public confession of faith.

The first work of Christ upon the soul is “conviction”. When this stage is

789 words

Citation: McGill, Carla Ann. "The Sound Believer". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 21 January 2003 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=7788, accessed 29 March 2024.]

7788 The Sound Believer 3 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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