A26695:185
A sure guide to heaven, or, An earnest invitation to sinners to turn to…
A sure guide to heaven, or, An earnest invitation to sinners to turn to God in order to their eternal salvation showing the thoughtful sinner what he must do to be saved / by Joseph Alleine.A sure guide to heaven, or, An earnest invitation to sinners to turn to God in order to their eternal salvation shewing the thoughtful sinner what he must do to be saved / by Joseph Alleine.
London: printed for Tho. Parkhurst, 1688
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.
Here the Hypocrites rottenness may be discovered. He desires holiness (as one well) only as a Bridge to Heaven, and enquires earnestly, what is the least that will serve his turn; and if he can get but so much as may just bring him to Heaven, this is all he cares for. But the sound Convert desires holiness for holiness sake, Psalm 119. 97. Mat. 5. 6. and not only for Heaven's sake. He would not be satisfied with so much as might save him from Hell; but desires the highest pitch. Yet desires are not enough. What is thy way and thy course? Is the drift and scope of thy life altered? Is holiness thy trade, and religion thy business? Rom. 8. 1. Mat. 25. 16. Phil. 1. 20. If not, thou art short of sound Conversion.
Application. And is this, that we have described, the Conversion that is of absolute necessity to salvation? Then be informed. 1. That strait is the gate ⟨p. 47⟩and narrow the way that leadeth unto life. 2. That there be but few that find it. 3. That there is need of a Divine power, savingly to convert a sinner to Jesus Christ.
Again, then be exhorted, O man that readest, to turn in upon thine own self. What saith Conscience? Doth it not begin to bite? Doth it not twitch thee as thou goest? Is this thy Judgment, and this thy Choice, and this thy way, that we have described? If so, then 'tis well. But doth not thy heart condemn thee, and tell thee, there is such a sin thou livest in against thy Conscience? Doth it not tell thee, there is such and such a secret way of wickedness, that thou makest no bones of? Such or such a Duty, that thou makest no Conscience of?