A26701:87
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.
1. It is not the taking on us the Profession of Christianity. Doubtless Christianity is more than a name. If we will hear Paul, it lies not in word, but in power, 1 Cor. 4. 20. If to cease to be Jews and Pagans, and to put on the Christian profession had been true conversion, (as this is all, that some would have to be understood by it) who better Christians than they of Sardis and Laodicea? These were all Christians by profession, and had a name to live, but because they had but a name, are condemned by Christ, and threatened to be spewed out, Rev. 3. 1, 16. Are there not many that name the name of the Lord Jesus, that yet depart not from iniquity? 2 Tim. 2. 19. and profess they know God, but in works deny him? Tim. 1. 16. And will God receive these for true converts, because turned to the Christian Religion? What, converts from sin, when yet they do live in sin! 'Tis a visible contradiction. Surely if the lamp of profession would have served the turn, the foolish Virgins had never been shut out, Mat. 25. 3, 12. We find not only professors but Preachers of Christ, and Wonder-workers turned off, because evil workers, Mat. 7. 22. 23.
1. It is not the taking on us the Profession of Christianity. Doubtless Christianity is more than a name. If we will hear Paul, it lies not in word, but in power, 1 Cor. 4. 20. If to cease to be Jews and Pagans, and to put on the Christian profession had been true conversion, (as this is all, that some would have to be understood by it) who better Christians than they of Sardis and Laodicea? These were all Christians by profession, and had a name to live, but because they had but a name, are condemned by Christ, and threatned to be spewed out, Rev. 3. 1, 16. Are there not many that name the name of the Lord Jesus, that yet depart not from iniquity?