A26701:349
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.
Introduction › Chapter 6: Containing DIRECTIONS for Conversion.
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.
Dir. IX. Make choice of the Laws of Christ as the rule of thy words, thoughts and actions, Psal. 119. 30. This is the true Converts choice. But here remember these three rules. 1. Thou must choose them all. There is no coming to Heaven by a partial obedience. Read Psal. 119. 6, 128, 160. Ezek, 18. 21. None may think it enough to take up with the cheap and easy part of Religion, and let alone the duties that are ⟨p. 161⟩costly, and self-denying, and grate upon the interest of the flesh. You must take all, or none. A sincere Convert, though he makes most conscience of the greatest sins and weightiest duties; yet he makes true conscience of little sins, and of all duties, Psal. 119. 6. 113. Mat. 23. 23. 2. For all times, for prosperity, and for adversity; whether it rain, or shine. A true Convert is resolved in his way: he will stand to his choice, and will not set his back to wind, and be of the religion of the times. I have stuck to thy testimonies, I have inclined my heart to perform thy statutes alway, even to the end. Thy testimonies have I taken, as an heritage for ever, Psal. 119. 31, 111, 117, 44, 93. I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. 3. This must be done, not hand over head, but deliberately and understandingly. That disobedient son said, I go sir, but he went not Mat. 24. 30. How fairly did they promise: All that the Lord our God shall speak unto thee, we will do it; and it's like they speak as they meant, but when it came to trial, it was found that there was not such a heart in them, as to do what they had promised, Deut. 5. 27, 29. If you would be sincere in closing with the laws and ways of Christ, First, Study the meaning, and the latitude and compass of them. Remember, that they are very spiritual: they reach the very thoughts and inclinations of the heart; so that if you will walk by this rule, your very thoughts, and inward motions must be under government. Again, that they are very strict and self-denying, quite contrary to the grain of