A26701:264
The way to true happiness in a serious treatise /
The way to true happiness in a serious treatise / by Joseph Alleine.
London : Printed and are to be sold by Nevil Simmons, 1678
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
By this time methinks I hear my reader crying out with the Disciples, who then shall be saved? Set out from among our Congregations all those ten ranks of the profane on the one hand; and then besides take out all these twelve sorts of close and self-deceiving Hypocrites on ⟨p. 101⟩the other hand, and tell me then whether it be not a remnant that shall be saved. How few will be the sheep that shall be left, when all these shall be separated, and set among the Goats? For my part, of all my numerous hearers, I have no hope to see any of them in Heaven, that are to be found among these two and twenty sorts that are here mentioned, except by found conversion they be brought into another condition.
By this time methinks I hear my reader crying out with the Disciples, who then shall be saved? Set out from among our Congregations all those ten ranks of the prophane on the one hand; and then besides take out all these twelve sorts of close and self-deceiving Hypocrites on ⟨p. 101⟩the other hand, and tell me then whether it be not a remnant that shall be saved. How few will be the sheep that shall be left, when all these shall be separated, and set among the Goats? For my part, of all my numerous hearers, I have no hope to see any of them in Heaven, that are to be found among these two and twenty sorts that are here mentioned, except by found conversion they be brought into another condition.
Application. And now Conscience do thine office. Speak out, and speak home to him that heareth or readeth these lines. If thou find any of these marks upon him, thou must pronounce him utterly unclean. Levit. 13. 44. Take not up a lie into thy mouth: speak not peace to him, to whom God speaks no peace. Let not lust bribe thee, or self-love, or carnal prejudice blind thee. I subpoena thee from the Court of Heaven, to come and give in evidence. I require thee in the name of God to go with me to the search of the suspected house. As thou wilt answer it at thy peril, give in a true report of the state and case of him that readeth this book. Conscience wilt thou altogether hold thy peace at such a time as this? I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us the truth.