A Sure Guide to Heaven, Title page – Table of contents
A Sure Guide TO HEAVEN: OR An Earnest Invitation to Sinners to turn to God, in order to their Eternal Salvation.
Shewing the thoughtful Sinner what he must do to be saved.
By Ioseph Alleine late Minister of the Gospel at Taunton in Somersetshire.
John 3. 3.
Except a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God.
LONDON, Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns, at the lower end of Cheapside near Mercers Chappel. 1688.
TO THE READER That would be safe and happy.
IF it were only possible thou mayst live hereafter, and be called to account in another world for what thou dost in this, it would be thy wisdom to take the safest course, and not to run the constant hazard of being dragg'd by death to Iudgment, before thou wert prepar'd to meet thy Iudge. But another Life, and a Judgment to come, are more than possible; there is an high probability, yea as great a certainty as can with reason he expected, that death will not put an end to thy being, that thou shalt live after the return of thy body to the Earth, and that then thou shalt be tryed, and sentenced to such an happiness or misery, as will be incomparably greater than any thing, nay than all thou didst ever feel or see, hear of or imagine. These weighty Truths are taught and establisht in some measure by the Light of Nature, but much more clearly and firmly by the Oracles of God in the Holy Scriptures. Besides what they say of the different states of separated Souls, they plainly teach, and strongly assert, That God hath appointed a time in which he will judge the whole world by the Mediator Jesus Christ; that that great Mediator who is God as well as Man, will descend from Heaven, attended by its glorious Inhabitants, with triumphant Acclamations to his Royal Throne; that a mighty Voice will cite all that ever dwelt on Earth to make their personal appearance; that that awakening and commanding Summons shall be presently heard and obeyed by the dead, and they with the quick then remaining alive, shall all stand before the Judgment Seat; that after a throughly searching and impartial tryal, which will reach mens several talents, trusts and opportunities of getting and doing good, and their most secret actions, words and thoughts, every one shall receive an unalterable Sentence of Absolution or Condemnation; and that then such as are approv'd and absolv'd, shall inherit an heavenly Kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world, be like the Angels their delightful Companions, converse with their most amiable and loving Saviour, beholding and partaking of his glory, yea resemble, see and enjoy God himself in compleated Holiness, and everlasting Bliss: And those on the other hand, that are reprobated and damn'd shall never be admitted into the Regions of Light, nor yet be favour'd with a glimpse thereof; but suffer with Devils in the blackness of darkness for ever, the perpetual gnawings of the Worm that dieth not, and the extreme torments of unquenchable fire. Seeing then these things cannot be denied, thou must be guilty of such woful abuses of reason as far exceed all the extravagancies of them that want it; thou must be most grosly foolish, most unnaturally cruel to thine own Soul, to thy whole self, if thou dost not earnestly desire to be one of those unto whom the Lord shall say, Come ye blessed, and not, Depart ye cursed; if thou dost not readily welcom, and diligently use any proper helps for the avoiding of the heaviest endless misery, and for the attaining of the purest, vastest, everlasting happiness. And such helps are now offered thee in this little Book, which hath a taking tincture of the excellent Author's flaming love to God, and useful Charity to the Souls of men; and now it is in thine hand, let me tell thee, it cannot be refus'd the reading, or rea… without doing what it so plainly teacheth and affectionately urgeth, but at thy greatest peril. If thou wilt not be at a small expence of time and pains to read it over, if after the neglect of so many means of instruction this also be rejected, how justly mayst thou be destroyed for lack of knowledge? How soon may the things which belong unto thy peace be hid from thine eyes? A continued wilful want of understanding is large ground for fear, lest he that made thee should not have mercy on thee, and he that form'd and redeem'd thee should shew thee no favour: If thou readest, but dost not practise what Scripture and Reason so pathetically plead for, the increase of thy knowledge will increase thy sorrow, because it will aggravate thy sin; for to him that knows his Lords will, how and why to do good, and doth it not but the forbidden evil, to him 'tis heinous, inexcusable sin, for which he is liable to be beaten with many stripes, in constant dreadful danger of severer punishment. I hope therefore thou wilt peruse so short a discourse, and art not unwilling to do it in such a manner as to grow acquainted with, and be perswaded to thy great duty, and which is inseparable from it, thy greatest advantage; and that thou may'st not fail thereof, is the design of the following Directions.
1. Pray in the name of Christ as thou art and shalt be enabled, for the more effectual assistances of the Holy Spirit. Such is the corruption of our nature, that it utterly disables to make a saving use of outward means without inward aids. Unless the Spirit by his powerful operations work thee into a serious teachable temper, set home the attempts of Gods Messengers, and give them an efficacy far beyond their own, the most concerning truths and weightiest arguments can never be so represented and inforc'd, as to overcome thy sensual, worldly inclinations, rescue thee from the dominion of sin and Satan, and bring thee back to God. Thou must therefore pray, and that with becoming apprehensions of the great God, due regard to the gracious Mediator, deep shame and sorrow for the …ins thou confessest, ardent desires of all the grace thou beggest, and faithful improvements of such measures as thou hast already received. And if thou thus askest, with fervent importunity and persevering constancy, thou wilt undoubtedly find that God bade thee not to seek his face in vain. As our Lord warrants us to argue, Luke II. If a man will not deny a Friend what he is importunate for, and if a Father will grant his Son what he asks and wants, much more will thy Heavenly Father give thee the Holy Spirit for all needful purposes, to produce all those effects in thee, that are truly necessary for thine Eternal Salvation.
2. Consider seriously what thou readest, and work it on thy Soul as far as thou art concern'd therein. Medicines for the Body will operate though they are not thought of; but Spiritual Remedies for the mind require its co-operation with them; the clearest explications, fullest proofs and strongest motives about matters of nearest and greatest concernment will not do the Soul any good, unless by thinking it apply them, and extract their vertue; nor will the Spirit heal its lamentable Diseases, if his influences be not answer'd with suitable endeavours. Work then as he works in and with thee; take into most serious consideration whatever is apt to promote thy recovery; lay those things closest to heart which are likeliest to cure the hardness thereof; inculcate and urge them, and withal cry mightily unto him, who is able, and no less willing to help thee, till thou feelest his gentle force, and comest to a conquering resolution, that thou must and wilt do as thou art advis'd, till thou dost not only assent to the course propos'd as fit to be taken, but art steadily determin'd, that it is best for thee, that it is absolutely necessary, and must effectually be prosecuted; that by the grace of God thou wilt thoroughly change thy heart and life, and so escape from the greatest evil, and make sure of the chiefest good.
3. When thou hast seriously consider'd and resolv'd, proceed presently to practise, with all thy might, and without the least delay. 'Tis commonly a work of some time to alter the temper of the Soul, and change the course of the life; and according to God's usual methods, the longer thou hast been accustom'd to do evil, the more time and pains will be requisite, to break the force of stubborn lusts, to weaken and subdue vitious habits, and to gain those of grace and goodness, to travel back the way thou hast gone wrong, and to get out of it into the path of life. 'Tis well then if there be days enough before thee to do the one thing needful, to be sure thou art not certain of an hour to spare, the loss of so small a part may prove the loss of all. Besides, if thou putt'st off thy reformation though but for a little while, 'tis a sign thou dost not really intend it at all, for thou purposest against conviction to add sin to sin at present, and how can that consist with an hearty design of growing good afterward? Delude not therefore thy self with such a desperate cheat, but imitate the Royal Ps…lmist, When thou hast thought on thy ways turn thy feet unto Gods testimonies; Make haste and delay not to keep his Commandments.
4. Remember that conversion unto God is but the beginning of thy duty, that thou must afterward obey him all the days of thy life, and that there is no other way to preserve an interest in his favour, and a right to the great expressions thereof. They are the largest and the last discoveries of Divine Grace, that teach thee to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world, and so doing to look for the blessed Object of thy hope; they plainly enough warn thee against drawing back unto perdition; they threaten a final rejection if thou deniest thy Saviour in words or works, and they oft direct and command thee to seek for glory and honour, and immortality, by patient continuance in well-doing; to be faith ful unto death whatever it cost thee, that thy Lord may give thee a crown of life: These may seem hard sayings, but they contain nothing like a reasonable discouragement. There's misery more than enough in Hell to necessitate a prevention by any temporary labours, wants and suff…rings, and an abundantly sufficient happiness in Heaven to encourage a stedfast perseverance in the work of the Lord, though it were more harsh and grievous than sinners imagine. And even at present, Religion is not without a reward, yea thou wilt find it, if thou triest as thou shouldst, a reward to it self, when the main difficulties at first are over, thy duty will grow daily easier, it will have many pleasures mixed with it, and become at length it self the greatest. It will not abridge thy appetites of any desirable gratifications, but give them a new delicious relish of the Fountain from which they flow. Instead of the girds and twinges of a bad Conscience, and dread of an after-reckoning, 'twill settle peace within, and fill thee with comfortable reflections and joyful hopes; and a loving, thankful, praising obedience will by degrees become thy sweetest employment. Therein thou may'st draw still nearer to God, delight thy self in, and receive from him the desires of thine heart, thou may'st walk always in the light of his countenance, and feed on his loving kindness, which is better than life.
In short, before thou ascendest to Heaven thou may'st be in an Heaven on Earth, and find by happy experience, that the way to have all thou canst wish hereafter, is to be and do what is best for thy self here.
Useful Questions, whereby a Christian may every day examine himself.
Psal. 4. 4.
Commune with your heart upon your beds.
EVery Evening before you sleep (unless you find some other time of the day more for your advantage in this work) sequester your self from the World, and having set your heart in the presence of the Lord, charge it before God to answer to these Interrogatories.
For your Duties.
Q. 1. Did not God find me on my Bed, when he looked for me on my knees? Job 1. 5. Psal. 5. 3.
Q. 2. Have not I prayed to no purpose, or suffered wandring thoughts to eat out my duties? Mat. 15. 8, 9. Jer. 12. 2.
Q. 3. Have not I neglected or been very overly in the reading Gods holy word? Deut. 17. 19. Josh. 1. 7, 8.
Q. 4. Have I digested the Sermon I heard last? Have I repeated it over, and prayed it over? Luke 2. 19, 51. Psal. 1. 2. and 119. 5, 11, 97.
Q. 5. Was there not more of custom and fashion in my family-duties than of Conscience? Psal. 101. 2. Jer 30. 21.
Q. 6. Where in have I denied my self this day for God? Luke 9. 23.
Q. 7. Have I redeemed my time from too long or needless visits; idle imaginations, fruitless discourse, unnecessary sleep, more than needs of the World? Eph. 5. 16. Col. 4. 5.
Q. 8. Have I done any thing more than ordinary for the Church of God, in this time extraordinary? 2 Cor. 11. 28. Isa. 62. 6.
Q. 9. Have I look care of my company? Prov. 13. 20. Psal. 119. 63.
Q. 10. Have not Ineglected or done something against the duties of my Relations, as a Master, Servant, Husband, Wife, Parent, Child, &c. Eph. 5. 22. to chap. 6. V. 10. Col. 3. 18. to the 4. V. 2.
For your Sins.
Q. 1. Doth not sin sit light? Psal. 38. 4. Rom. 7. 24.
Q. 2. Am I a mourner for the sins of the Land? Ezek. 9. 4. Jer. 9. 1, 2, 3.
Q. 3. Do I live in nothing that I know or fear to be a sin? Psal. 119. 101, 104.
For your Heart.
Q. 1. Have I been much in holy Ejaculations? Neh. 2. 4, 5.
Q. 2. Hath not God been out of mind: Heaven out of sight? Psal. 16. 8 Jer. 2. 32. Col. 3. 1, 2.
Q. 3. Have I been often looking into mine own heart, and made conscience even of vain thoughts? Prov. 3. 23. Psal. 119. 113.
Q. 4. Have not I… given way to the workings of pride, or passion? 2 Chron. 32. 26. James 4. 5, 6, 7.
For your Tongue.
Q. 1. Have I bridled my Tongue, and forced it in? Jam. 1. 26. Jam. 3. 2, 3, 4, Psal. 39. 1.
Q. 2. Have I spoken evil of no man? Tit. 3. 2. Jam. 4. 11.
Q. 3. Hath the Law of the Lord been in my mouth as I sate in my house, went by the way, was lying down, and rising up? Deut. 6. 6, 7.
Q. 4. Is there no company I come into, but I have dropped something of God, and left some good savour behind? Col. 4. 6. Eph. 4. 29.
For your Table.
Q. 1. Did not I sit down with no higher end than a beast, meerly to please my Appetite? did I eat and drink to the glory of God? 1 Cor. 10. 31.
Q. 2. Was not my Appetite too hard for me? Jude 12. 2 Pet. 1. 6.
Q. 3. Did not I arise from the Table without dropping any thing of God there? Luke 7. 36, &c. Luke 14. 1, &c. John 6.
Q. 4. Did not I mock God, when I pretended to crave a blessing, and return thanks? Acts 27. 35, 36. Mat. 15. 36. Col. 3. 17, 23.
For your Calling.
Q. 1. Have I been diligent in the duties of my Calling? Eccles. 9. 1 Cor. 7. 17, 20, 24.
Q. 2. Have I defrauded no man? 1 Thes. 4. 6. 1 Cor. 6. 8.
Q. 3. Have I dropped never a lye in my shop, or trade? Prov. 28. 6. Eph. 4. 25.
Q. 4. Did not I ra…hly make, nor falsly break some promise? Psal. 106. 33. Josh. 9. V. 14, &c. Psal. 15. 4.
An Addition of some brief Directions for the Morning.
D. 1. If through necessity or carelessness you have omitted the reading and weighing of these questions in the Evening, be sure to do it now.
D. 2. Ask your self, what sin have I committed? what duty have I omitted? against which of these Rules have I offended in the day foregoing? and renew your repentance, and double your watch.
D. 3. Examine whether God were last in your thoughts when you went to sleep; and first, when you awoke.
D. 4. Enquire whether your care of your heart and ways doth increase upon your constant using of this course for self-examination; or whether it doth abate, and you grow more remiss.
D. 5. Impose a task of some good meditation upon your selves while you are making ready, either to go over these Rules in your thoughts, or the heads of the Sermon you heard last, or the holy meditations for the purpose in the practice of Piety, or Scudder's daily walk.
D. 6. Set your ends right for all that day.
D. 7. Set your watch, especially against those sins and temptations that you are like to be most incident to that day.
THE CONTENTS.
I. What Conversion is not, and correcting some Mistakes about it.
II. What Conversion is, and wherein it consists.
III. The Necessity of Conversion.
IV. The Marks of the Unconverted.
V. The Miseries of the Unconverted.
VI. Directions for Conversion.
VII. Motives to Conversion.
VIII. Conclusion.
IX. Counsel for Personal and Family-Godliness.