N03796:613
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.
2. Where our Weariness in and Unwillingness to Duties, is only gradual and partial, not plenary and prevalent, it is not sufficient to conclude our selves graceless: While the Twins are together in the Womb, and two Nations within our Bowels, there will be contrary Inclinations. The Flesh will never say Amen, to a good Motion as such, but will be lusting against the Spirit, and will hang back when the Spirit puts forward, and pulls down when the Spirit bends upwards: So that while Corruption remaineth, there will be always a dissenting Party, and continual Conflicts; from whence it is no Wonder there should arise some Weariness: Yet the Spirit is the prevailing Interest, and tho' oft times foiled, yet hath mostly the Mastery in the Combat, and carries it against the Flesh, though not ⟨p. 54⟩without much Resistance and Reluctancy from the Rebel Opponent.
3. When this Weariness is only transient, during the present Temptation or Defection, which as soon as the tired Soul can get out of it, returns to its former Temper and Pleasure in Holy Duties, there is only Matter of Humiliation. But when it is the settled permanent and habitual Frame of the Mind, it is a Matter of questioning our Condition. The Holy Psalmist under a Desertion, was even almost persuaded to give over with Religion; but when he is himself, nothing is so sweet, nothing is so lovely and desirable to him, as the Duties of Holiness. But for them who have in their ordinary settled Course and Frame, no Mind of Duties, but are called to them by Conscience, or engaged by Company, as Custom or the like, their Case is fearful in that measure, that Duty is unpleasing and not loved.
3. When this Weariness is only transient, during the present Temptation or Defection, which as soon as the tired Soul can get out of it, returns to its former Temper and Pleasure in Holy Duties, there is only Matter of Humiliation. But when it is the settled permanent and habitual Frame of the Mind, it is a Matter of questioning our Condition. The Holy Psalmist under a Desertion, was even almost perswaded to give over with Religion; but when he is himself, nothing is so sweet, nothing is so lovely and desirable to him, as the Duties of Holiness. But for them who have in their ordinary settled Course and Frame, no Mind of Duties, but are called to them by Conscience, or engaged by Company, as Custom or the like, their Case is fearful in that measure, that Duty is unpleasing and not loved.