Pilgrim:

Scripture does not allow for the abuse in this area. COnversion naratives as espoused in the puritan experiment are not scriptural. There is much said on the topic. You ended up with some ridiculous "Half-Way COvenant" at best. Men are added first by the power of the Holy Spirit, then taught through their conversion. If I am understanding you correctly, you have it the other way around.


There is absolutely no evidence in the writ of having to give a conversion experience in length or depth as was required and still is by some..

"The practice was for men orally [women in writing] to make confession of faith and a declaration of their experiences of a worke of grace in the presence of the whole congregation, having bin examined and heard before by the elders in private and then stood propounded in publick for two or three weeks ordinarily," John Cotton [the younger], 1679.

Again, the above is not scriptural.

Perhaps you are not far from allowing 'spectral evidence' given against a professing applicant..

There never was a sinner half as big as Christ is as a Savior.