'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — January 11

The new man takes a new course. His conversation is in heaven. No sooner does Christ call one by effectual grace, but he immediately becomes a follower of Christ. When God has given him a new heart, he henceforth walks in his statutes. Though sin may dwell in him truly a wearisome and unwelcome guest, it has no more dominion over him. He is not one man at church and another at home. He is not a saint on his knees and a cheat in his shop. He turns from all his sins and keeps all of God's statutes, though not perfectly, yet sincerely, not allowing himself the breach of any. Now he delights in the Word, and sets himself to prayer. He has a good conscience willing in all things to live honestly without offence towards God and men (Heb. 13:18). Here you find the unsoundness of many that take themselves for good Christians. They take up the cheap and easy duties of religion, but are not thorough with the work. They are like a cake half-baked. You may find them exact in their words, punctual in their dealings, but they do not exercise themselves unto godliness; as for governing their hearts, they are strangers. You see them duly at church; but follow them to their families, and you see little but the worldly minded. Follow them to their closets and you will find their souls little looked after. They seem religious, but do not bridle their tongues (James 1:26). They may come to the closet and family prayer; but follow them to their shops, and you find them in the habit of lying, or some fashionable deceit. The hypocrite is not thorough in obedience. The new man bears fruit unto holiness, and though he makes many a blot, yet the law and life of Jesus is what he looks for as his pattern. He respects all of God's commandments. He is sensitive in his conscience even to the little sins and little duties.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Devotional Readings 'Voices From The Past Vol.1.'
Joseph Alleine, A Sure Guide to Heaven, pp. 36-37
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