N03796:507
An alarm to unconverted sinners. In a serious treatise: showing I. What conversion is…An alarm to unconverted sinners. In a serious treatise: shewing I. What conversion is…
An alarm to unconverted sinners. In a serious treatise: showing I. What conversion is not, and correcting some mistakes about it. II. What conversion is, and wherein it consisteth. III. The necessity of conversion. IV. The marks of the unconverted. V. The miseries of the unconverted. VI. Directions for conversion. VII. Motions [i.e., Motives] to conversion. : Whereunto are annexed Divers practical cases of conscience judiciously resolved. / By Joseph Alleine, late Minister of the Gospel at Taunton, in Somersetshire.An alarm to unconverted sinners. In a serious treatise: shewing I. What conversion is not, and correcting some mistakes about it. II. What conversion is, and wherein it consisteth. III. The necessity of conversion. IV. The marks of the unconverted. V. The miseries of the unconverted. VI. Directions for conversion. VII. Motions [i.e., Motives] to conversion. : Whereunto are annexed Divers practical cases of conscience judiciously resolv'd. / By Joseph Alleine, late Minister of the Gospel at Taunton, in Somersetshire.
Philadelphia: printed by B. Franklin, 1741
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.
I shall answer this Question by propounding eight Questions to you, beseeching you to retire to the most solemn and strict Examination, and make Conscience to give a clear Answer to these few Interrogatories, and that will resolve the Case.
Q. I. When others do pick and choose, have you respect to all God's Commandments? The Hypocrite may have great respect to the Comforts, but he hath little to the Commands of Religion: He is much for the Privilege and Promises: little for the Precepts and Duties: He is partial in the Law; he will take but here and there where he likes, and where God's Commands will serve his Interest, or at least will not pinch too hard upon the Flesh. The sound Christian sets all God's Commands before him; he eyes all his Copy; and heartily designs and studies a throughout Conformity: He hath no starting Holes, no contrived Haunts; nor doth he halt between the Lord and Baal, nor serve two Masters: He doth not fear the Lord, and serve other Gods, nor divides his Service between God and Mammon, but he is all for Uniformity and entirely devoted to God's Service, and Fear alone; he hath a good Conscience willing in all Things to live honestly, and doth truly, though not perfectly forsake all his Sins, and keep all his Statutes that are known to him. Let me therefore ask you two Questions: (1. When others divide the Tables, do you sweetly conjoin them in your Practice? The Hypocrite, may be, is just and square towards Men, but follow him to his Family or Closet, you shall find but little of God: His Family is neglected, his Soul is neglected; or it may be he is a forward First-Table-Man, but you shall find him tardy in the Second. He will make many Prayers and long Prayers, yet make no Conscience of devouring Widows Houses. He is a great ⟨p. 9⟩Pretender to Piety, but mean while neglects Judgment and Mercy. The Sincere join all together. He is so far careful of Justice with Men, that meanwhile he will not neglect the first and great Part of Justice, viz To give God his Due: He doth justly, he loves Mercy, but withal walks humbly with God: He walketh soberly with respect to himself, righteously towards his Neighbour, and godly towards his Maker. He is not one of those that are good only on their Knees, but you shall find him every where conscientious: You shall have Temperance at his Table, Chastity and Modesty in his Behaviour, Grace and Truth in his Works, Charity in his Deeds, Faithfulness in his Trust, Justice in his Dealings. He doth not only seem to be religious, but bridleth his Tongue;