'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — August 26

In conversion the poor convinced sinner ventures on Christ and resolves to hold on to him: 'Here, I stand; and if I perish, I perish; if I die, I will die here, I will not go from your door.’ Before conversion, man makes light of Christ and cares more for his friends and merchandise than for Christ. Now, Christ is his daily bread and the staff of his life. He desires that Christ be magnified. Before, religion was a fancy, but now to live is Christ. The sincere convert accepts a complete Christ. He loves not only the reward, but labour. He seeks not only the benefits, but the burden of Christ. He takes up the commands, yes, even the cross of Christ. The unsound 'convert' takes Christ by halves. He is all for the salvation, but not sanctification. He is all for the privileges, but neglects the person of Christ. He divides the offices and benefits of Christ. This is an error in the foundation. Whoever loves life, let him beware here. It is an undoing mistake. Many men do not love the Lord Jesus in sincerity. They will not have him as God offers him, 'as Leader and Saviour' (Acts 5:31). They divide what God has joined, King and Priest. They desire salvation from suffering, but do not desire to be saved from sinning. They would be saved and keep their lusts; they are content to destroy some sins, but cannot leave the lap of Delilah. They cannot be cruel to the right eye or hand. O be infinitely careful here, your soul depends upon it! The sound convert takes a whole Christ without exceptions, without limitations, without reserve. He is willing to have Christ upon any terms. He is willing to have the dominion of Christ as well as deliverance. He says with Paul; ‘Lord, what will you have me to do?' Anything, Lord.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Devotional Readings 'Voices From The Past Vol.1.'
Joseph Alleine, A Sure Guide to Heaven, pp. 44-46
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