A26689:73
Divers practical cases of conscience satisfactorily resolved ... to which are added some counsels…
Divers practical cases of conscience satisfactorily resolved ... to which are added some counsels & cordials / by Joseph Alleine ...
London: printed for Nevill Simmons, 1672
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Many enlightened sinners think by reading, and praying; forsaking some conscience-wasting sins, to pacify God, and set all right: Mistaken souls, let me undeceive you: you begin at the wrong end, your first and greatest care must be, to get your hearts and natures changed and renewed by the power of converting grace: you labour in vain at the streams, while the fountain of corruption in the heart remains in its strength. You must not think it is with you as it is with a ruinous house, where the mending of here and there a little will make up all again; no, but the old building must be quite book down, and the foundation stone laid anew, in a sound repentance from dead works, and through conversion unto God. Till this be done you must know that God hath no pleasure in you, neither will accept an offering at your hand, Mal. 1. 10. as he doth from those that are his friends.
Many enlightned sinners think by reading, and praying; forsaking some conscience-wasting sins, to pacifie God, and set all right: Mistaken souls, let me undeceive you: you begin at the wrong end, your first and greatest care must be, to get your hearts and natures changed and renewed by the power of converting grace: you labour in vain at the streams, while the fountain of corruption in the heart remains in its strength. You must not think it is with you as it is with a ruinous house, where the mending of here and there a little will make up all again; no, but the old building must be quite book down, and the foundation stone laid anew, in a sound repentance from dead works, and through conversion unto God. Till this be done you must know that God hath no pleasure in you, neither will accept an offering at your hand, Mal. 1. 10. as he doth from those that are his friends.
2. That there be the Acceptation of your persons through faith in Christ Jesus: For in him alone it is that God will be well-pleased, Matth. 3. last, so that without faith, interessing us in him, it is impossible to please God,