N03796:614
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.
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.
4. Where this Weariness of and Unwillingness to Duties is painful and grievous, as a Sore in the Eye, as a Sickness in the Heart, the State is good, but where it is naturally allowed, and meets with little or no Resistance, it is a black Mark. For this argues there is nothing but Flesh, that there is no contrary Principle in such a Heart. For if there were, the Spirit would at least make Opposition: This was the very Frame of those unsanctified Sinners that counted the Sabbaths and Services of God an unprofitable Burden, a very Weariness, a Bondage not to be born,