N03796:585
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.
Direct. III. First, cleanse the Inside, Matth. 23.26 Cleanse first that which is within the Cup. Tho' they are much out that live as if all their Work were within Door, yet remember that it lies chiefly here. It's a most preposterous Course in Religion, to begin first with the Outside, Jer. 4.14. O Jerusalem, wash thine Heart! When once this is done, Reformation will soon follow in the Life: but not otherwise: Many are careful that all that appears to Men should be beautiful, but their Hearts are neglected. These carry upon them the Marks of the Hypocrite, Matth. 23.27.28. And what will it profit thee, O vain Man, to have all kept secret from Men, since God knows and detects thee? And hath appointed a Day wherein he will rip open thy Pack, and anatomize thy Heart before the World, 1 Cor. 4.5. Eccles. 12.23. Rom. 2 16.
Direct. IV. Eye those Duties most that are of most Importance, Matth 22.23. The Hypocrite is very punctual in lesser Matters, but neglects the weightiest Things of the Law, Judgment and Mercy, and Faith. He is for a Religion, that will cost him little: And therefore Words being good cheap, he will be forward in talk as a mighty Zealot in Circumstantials of Religion, and marvellous censorious of others that come not up to his Mind, as Men of wide Principles and large Consciences: But in the mean time he is very negligent in secret Duties, a great Stranger to Self-denial, and walking humbly with God. He strains wonderfully at a Ceremony? But it may be he can swallow the Gains of Unrighteousness, or the Baits of Intemperance fast enough. It may be he will decry Superstition, and never want a Stone to fling at a profane Church-man: But in the mean time walks loosely in his Family, makes little Conscience