A26701:79
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.
Dearly beloved, would you rejoice the heart of your Minister? Why then, embrace the counsels of the Lord by me: forgo your sins: set to prayer: up with the worship of God in your families: keep at a distance from the corruptions of the times. What greater joy to a Minister, than to hear of souls born unto Christ by him, and that his Children walk in the truth? 2 John 4.
Dearly beloved, would you rejoyce the heart of your Minister? Why then, embrace the counsels of the Lord by me: forgo your sins: set to prayer: up with the worship of God in your families: keep at a distance from the corruptions of the times. What greater joy to a Minister, than to hear of souls born unto Christ by him, and that his Children walk in the truth? 2 Iohn 4.
Brethren, I beseech you suffer a friendly plainness and freedom with you in your deepest concernments. I am not playing the orator, to make a learned speech to you, nor dressing my dish with eloquence, wherewith to please you. These lines are upon a weighty errand indeed, viz. to convince, and convert, and save you. I am not baiting my hook with Rhetoric, nor fishing for your applause, b•t for your souls. My work is not to please you, but to save you; nor is my business with your fancies, but your hearts. If I have not your hearts, I have nothing. If I were to please your ears, I could sing another song. If I were to preach my self, I would steer another course; I could then tell you a smoother tale: I would make you pillows, and speak you peace; for how can ⟨p. 5⟩Ahab love this Micaiah, that always prophesies •vil concerning him? 1 Kings 22. 8. But how much better are the wounds of a Friend, than the fair speeches of the Harlot, who flattereth with her lips, till the Dart strike through the liver, and hunteth for the precious life?