A26695:188
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.
Chap. III. Of the Necessity of Conversion.
IT may be you are ready to say, what meaneth this stir? And are apt to wonder, why I follow you with such earnestness, still ringing one lesson in your •ars, That you should repent and be converted, Acts 3. 19. But I must say unto you, as Ruth to Naomi, Entreat me not to leave you, nor to turn aside from following after you, Ruth 1. 16. Were it a matter of indifferency, I would never keep so much ado. Might you be saved as you be, I would gladly let you alone. But would you not have me solicitous for you, when I see you ready to perish? As the Lord liveth, before whom I am, I have not the least hopes to see one of your faces in Heaven, except you be converted. I utterly despair of your salvation, except you will be prevailed with to turn throughly, and give up your selves to God in holiness and newness of life. Hath God said, Except you be born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God, John 3. 3. and yet do you wonder, why your Ministers do so plainly travel in birth with you? Think it not strange, that I am earnest with you to follow after holiness, and long to see the Image of God upon you. Never did any, nor shall any enter into Heaven by any other way but this. The Conversion described is not an high pitch of some taller Christians, but every soul, that is saved, passes this universal change.
IT may be you are ready to say, what meaneth this stir? And are apt to wonder, why I follow you with such earnestness, still ringing one lesson in your ars, That you should repent and be converted,