A26701:399
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 7: Containing the Motives to 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.
CHAP. VII. Containing the Motives to Conversion.
Though what is already said of the Necessity of Conversion, and of the Miseries of the unconverted, might be sufficient to induce any considering mind to resolve upon a present turning, or Conversion unto God: yet knowing what a piece of desperate obstinacy and untractableness the heart of man naturally is, I have thought it necessary, to add to the means of Conversion, and Directions for a Covenant-closure with God in Christ, some Motives to persuade you hereunto.
THough what is already said of the Necessity of Conversion, and of the Miseries of the unconverted, might be sufficient to induce any considering mind to resolve upon a present turning, or Conversion unto God: yet knowing what a piece of desperate obstinacy and untractableness the heart of man naturally is, I have thought it necessary, to add to the means of Conversion, and Directions for a Covenant-closure with God in Christ, some Motives to perswade you hereunto.
O Lord, fail me not now at my last attempts. If any soul hath read hitherto, and be yet untouched, now Lord fasten in him, and do thy work: Now take him by the heart, overcome him, persuade him, till he say, Thou hast prevailed, for thou wast stronger than I Lord, didst thou not make me a fisher of men? And have I toiled all this while and caught nothing? Alas, that I should have spent my strength for nought! And now I am casting my last: Lord Jesus stand thou upon the shore, and direct, how, and where I shall spread my net; and let me so enclose with arguments the souls I seek for, that they may not be able to get out. Now Lord for a multitude of souls! now for a full draught! O Lord God, remember me I pray thee, and strengthen me this once, O God.
O Lord, fail me not now at my last attempts. If any soul hath read hitherto, and be yet untouched, now Lord fasten in him, and do thy work: Now take him by the heart, overcome him, perswade him, till he say, Thou hast prevailed, for thou wast stronger than I Lord, didst thou not make me a fisher of men? And have I toyled all this while and caught nothing? Alas, that I should have spent my strength for nought! And now I am casting my last: Lord Iesus stand thou upon the shore, and direct, how, and where I shall spread my net; and let me so enclose with arguments the souls I seek for, that they may not be able to get out. Now Lord for a multitude of souls! now for a full draught! O Lord God, remember me I pray thee, and strengthen me this once, O God.