The Jonathan Edwards Center at Yale University

As to preparatory work before conversion, there is undoubtedly always, except very extraordinary cases, such a thing. For we have shown [No. 1] that conversion is wrought in a moment. Now who can believe that the Spirit of God takes a man in his career in sin, without any forethought, or foreconcern or any such thing, or any preparatory circumstances to introduce it? We have no instance of such a thing without something preparatory, either preparatory thought or circumstances which prepared in some measure his thoughts. We do not determine how great a difference there may beI.e. between one soul and another. See No. 116b for a discussion of the difference. in this preparatory introduction of Christ into the soul.