A26701:424
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.
The Conclusion of the whole.
And now my brethren let me know your minds. What do you intend to do? Will you go on and die, or will you set upon a thorough and speedy conversion, and hold on eternal life? how long will you linger in Sodom? how long will you halt between two opinions? 1 King. 18. 21. Are you not yet resolved whether Christ or Barabbas, whether bliss or torment, whether the land Cabul, 1 Kings 9. 13. or the Paradise of God, be the better choice? Is it a disputable case, whether the Abana and Pharphar of Damascus, be better than all the streams of Eden? or whether the vile puddle of sin, be to be preferred before the water of life, clear as Crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb? Can the world in good earnest do that for you, that Christ can? Will it stand by you to eternity? will pleasures, titles, lands, treasures, descend with you, Psal. 49. 17. 1 Tim. 6. 7. If not, had you not need look after somewhat that will? What mean you to stand wavering, to be off and on? Foolish Children! how long will you stick between the womb and the world? Shall I leave you at last no farther than Agrippa, but almost persuaded? Why, you are for ever lost, if left here. As good not at all, as not altogether Christians. You are half of the mind to give over your former negligent life, and to set to a strict and holy course: you could wish that you were as some others be, and could do as they can do. How ⟨p. 204⟩long will you rest in idle wishes, and fruitless purposes? when will you come to a fixed, full, and firm resolve? Do not you see how Satan gulls you, by tempting you to delays? How long hath he tolled you on in the way of perdition? how many years have you been purposing to amend what if God should have taken you off this while?