An Alarm to the Unconverted by Joseph Alain first published in 1671 and read on these tapes by Dr. Stephen Westcott of Bristol, England.

1. Biographical Introduction

Joseph Alain was born into a Puritan family at Devizes in Wiltshire, England and baptised on April 8th 1634. England was then in the throes of these stirring events which were soon to lead to the Civil War, and before Alain was ten years old the market square, where his home stood, echoed with the crash of cannon and the peal of muskets as Royalists put Roundhead to flight at the Battle of Roundway, July 1643.

Two years later the tables were turned and Cromwell himself saw to it that the blue banner of the Parliament was raised aloft over the old castle that stood opposite the home of Elaine's childhood. The family circle was also not without its trials. His father, though a clothier of good standing, suffered some of the economic misfortunes of the war and to their grief Joseph's elder brother Edward already in the Christian ministry died in 1645

that same year saw Alain setting forth in the Christian race and imploring his father that he might be educated to succeed his brother in the work of the ministry thus in April 1649 we find him going up to Oxford to sit at the feet of such divines as John Owen and Thomas Goodwin in November 1651 he moved from Lincoln to Corpus Christi College the latter under the presidency of the saintly Dr. Edward Staunton being a more thoroughgoing Puritan seminary here he took his Bachelor of Arts degree on July 6th 1653 became a tutor and subsequently chaplain to the college

doubtless it was due partly to a lady's influence that Henry Jesse could write in 1660 I think there was scarce such a place in the world as Corpus Christi where such a multitude held forth the power of godliness the purity of God's worship even and even it was, but now it is a barren wilderness.

Alangeas at Oxford were characterised by piety and diligent study. His warm disposition found him many friends, but if their visits interrupted his studying time, he had no leisure to let them in, saying, It is better that they should wonder at my rudeness than that I should lose my time, for only a few will take notice of the rudeness, but many may feel the loss of my time.

As a chaplain he laboured to evangelise the country villages around Oxford and also preached to the prisoners in Oxford jail every fortnight. Such was his training for his future ministry. Not yet 21 he had already learned to be infinitely and insatiably greedy for the conversion of souls and to this end he poured out his very heart in prayer and in preaching.

It's no wonder that a worthy Puritan divine, George Newton, 1602-1681, minister of St. Mary Magdalene, Taunton in Somersetshire, called Elaine to be his assistant in 1655. Taunton, a wool manufacturing town with a population of perhaps some 20,000, was a Puritan stronghold in the English West Country. The spirit of the town had been clearly displayed ten years early, when with heroic steadfastness it had withstood more than one desperate royalist siege, even when half the streets had been burned down by a storm of mortars and many of the inhabitants had died of starvation.

It was here, amongst the hills and meadows and orchards of Somerset, that Alain was to spend his short but unforgettable ministry. Immediately following the commencement of his work at Taunton, Alain was married on October 4th 1655 to his cousin Theodosia Alain, a woman of singular spirituality who left a moving account of her husband's ministry. The only fault for which she chided her husband was that he did not spend more time with her, to which he would reply, Ah, my dear, I know thy soul is safe, but how many that are perishing have I to look after? Oh, that I could do more for them!

Elaine's whole life was an illustration of his saying, Give me a Christian that counts his time more precious than gold. when the week began he would say another week is now before us let us spend this week for God and each morning let us live this one day well all the time of his health writes his wife he did rise constantly at or before four o'clock and on the Sabbath sooner if he did wake He would be much trouble if he heard any smiths or shoemakers or such tradesmen at their trades before he was in his duties with God, saying to me, Oh, how this noise shames me! Does not my master deserve better than theirs?

From four till eight he spent in prayer, holy contemplation, and the singing of psalms, which he much delighted in, and did daily practice alone as well as in his family. Together this devoted pair laboured for souls. Theodosia Elaine kept a school for children in her home, while her husband spent five afternoons every week following up the urgent calls to the unconverted, which sounded forth Sunday by Sunday from beneath the stately tower of Mary Magdalene. He kept a catalogue of the names of the inhabitants of each street and saw that they were all visited and catechised. This resulted in a numerous engathering of souls.

His supplications and his exhortations, said George Newton, many times were so affectionate, so full of holy zeal, life and vigour, that they quite overcame his errors, he melted them, and sometimes dissolved the hardest hearts. It was clear that even in an age when powerful preaching and successful evangelism were comparatively common, Alain's ministry was outstanding in the eyes of his brethren.

Few ages have produced more eminent preachers than Mr. Joseph Alain, declared that apostolic North Country Puritan, Oliver Heywood. and Baxter speaks of his great ministerial skillfulness in the public explication and application of the scriptures

so melting, so convincing, so powerful a day of grace was nearing its sunset when Alain entered into his ministry within three years Oliver Cromwell was dead Two years more and the bells at Taunton rang merrily to welcome the homecoming of King Charles II and the restoration of the monarchy 1660. But the happiness in Puritan hearts was short-lived, for the era when, as Philip Henry said, the face of godliness was upon the nation was over.

and in 1662 by the infamous act of uniformity 2000 of the best ministers in England were cast out of their pulpits among the 85 or so ministers who suffered in this way in Somersetshire we find as we might well expect the names of George Newton and Joseph Alain But though debarred from his pulpit, Alain refused to be silenced. Indeed his wife tells us how, laying aside all other studies, because he accounted his time to be but short, he increased his preaching activity.

I know that he hath preached fourteen times in eight days, and ten often, and six or seven ordinarily in these months. At length, after surviving many threats, Alain received a summons on May 26, 1663. The following night he appointed to meet his people about one or two o'clock in the morning, to which they showed their readiness. There was of young and of old many hundreds. He preached and prayed with them about three hours.

The very next day he was thrown into prison at Ilchester. After a year he was released, but only to be confronted with the rigours of the Five Mile Act and the Conventicle Act. Although now declining in health, he nevertheless resumed preaching in secret until July 10, 1666.

on that evening while he was preaching from Psalm 147 verse 20 to a gathering in a private house the doors were battered open and he was seized and again taken to prison once more he was released and with undiminished spiritual energy he considered what he might do yet to further the gospel of Christ

now we have one day more he would say to his wife as he rose in the morning here is one day more for God let us live well this day work hard for our souls lay up for us treasure in heaven this day for we have but a few days to live his wife told us how with true Puritan spirit his thoughts turned to the possibility of missionary work in Wales or even in China

Never did the evangel of Jesus Christ burn more fervently in any English heart. But Alain's work was done, for his physical constitution never recovered from the hardships of his confinements, and his body was sinking fast. On November the 17th 1668 at the age of 34 God took him away from the evils yet to come and the age of George Newton stood by his body as it was laid to rest in the chancel of the church which had once resounded with the alarms of his call to the unconverted.

This book embodies the substance of Elaine's message and in doing so provides a true model of Puritan evangelism. phraseology must differ from age to age and gifts from man to man but here we have no hesitation in saying are the principles which must be present in any true presentation of the gospel

more than one great evangelist had had his views molded by the following pages George Whitfield while a student at Oxford tells us in his journal how Alain's alarm much benefited him Charles Haddon Spurgeon recalls how when he was a child his mother would often read a piece of Elaine's alarm to them as they sat round the fire on a Sunday evening and when brought on the conviction of sin it was to this old book that he turned.

I remember, he writes, when I used to wake in the morning and the first thing I took up was Elaine's alarm or Baxter's call to the unconverted. Oh, those books, those books! I read them and devoured them!"

With his heart thus burning with the fires of Puritan divinity, Spurgeon was prepared to follow in the steps of Elaine and Whitfield.

Countless editions of this book have been issued since it was first published and saw the light in the year 1671. Dr. Callamy wrote concerning it in 1702, multitudes will have cause to be ever thankful for it no book in the English tongue the Bible alone accepted can equal it for the number that have been dispersed there have been 20,000 sold under the title of The Call or Alarm and 50,000 more of the same under the title A Sure Guide to Heaven 30,000 of which were sold at one impression

As a remarkable illustration of the spiritual influence of this work, we may mention one example. Towards the end of the 18th century, a minister of a highland congregation, a man more eminent for scholarship than for evangelical fervour, was approached by a society to translate the alarm into Gaelic. The book was thus passed into his hands, and finding it suitable material for the pulpit, he commenced to repeat the substance of it in successive days to his congregation. The result, he said, was a widespread awakening which long prevailed in the district of Netherlawn. With the prayer that the substance of this book may again be sounded forth throughout our land and across the seas, we commend this book to the blessing of him whose word is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword.

All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away. But the word of the Lord endureth for ever, and this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. 1 Peter 1 24-25

2. An earnest invitation to sinners to turn to God

Dearly Beloved, I gladly acknowledge myself a debtor to you, and am concerned, as I would be found a good steward of the household of God, to give everyone his portion. But the physician is more concerned for those patients whose case is the more doubtful and hazardous, and the father's pity is especially turned towards his dying child. So unconverted souls call for earnest compassion, and prompt diligence to pluck them as brands from the burning. Jude 23. Therefore it is to them I shall first apply myself in these pages.

But from where shall I fetch my argument? With what shall I win them? O, that I could tell! I would write to them in tears. I would weep out every argument. I would empty my veins for ink. I would petition them on my knees. O, how thankful should I be if they would be prevailed upon to repent and turn! How long have I laboured for you? How often would I have gathered you? This is what I have prayed for and studied for these many years, that I might bring you to God. Oh, that I might do it now! Will you yet be entreated?

But, O Lord, how insufficient I am for this work! Alas, with what shall I pierce the scales of leviathan, or make the heart feel that it is as hard as a nether millstone? Shall I go and speak to the grave, and expect the dead that they would obey me and come forth? Shall I make an oration to the rocks, or declaim to the mountains, and think to move them with my arguments? Shall I make the blind to see? From the beginning of the word, world, it was not heard that a man hath opened the eyes of the blind. John chapter 9 verse 32

But, O Lord, Thou canst pierce the heart of the sinner. I can only draw the bow at a venture, but Thou direct the arrow between the joints of the harness. slay the sin, save the soul of the sinner that casts his eyes upon these pages.

There is no entering into heaven but by the straight passage of the second birth. Without holiness you shall never see God. Hebrews chapter 12 verse 14. Therefore give yourselves unto the Lord now. Search yourselves to seek Him now. set up the Lord Jesus in your hearts set him up in your houses kiss the Son Psalm 2 verse 12 and embrace the tenders of mercy touch his scepter and live for why will you die?

I do not beg for myself but would have you happy this is the prize I run for my soul's desire and prayer for you is that you may be saved Romans chapter 10 verse 1 I beseech you to permit a friendly plainness and freedom with you in this your deepest concern. I am not playing the orator to make a learned speech to you, nor dressing the dish with eloquence in order to please you. These lines are upon a weighty errand, indeed, to convince and convert and save you. I am not baiting my hook with rhetoric or fishing for your applause, but for your souls. My work is not to please you, but to save you. Nor is my business with your fancies, but with your hearts. If I have not your hearts, I have nothing.

if I were to please your ears I would sing another song if I were to preach myself I would steer another course I would tell you a smoother tale I would make pillows for you and speak peace for how can Ahab love this Micaiah that always prophesies evil concerning him? 1 Kings chapter 22 verse 8 how much better are the wounds of a friend than the fair speeches of the harlot who flatters with her lips till the dart strikes through the liver Proverbs chapter 7 verses 21 to 23 and chapter 6 verse 26

If I were to quiet a crying infant, I might sing him into a happier mood, or rock him asleep. But when the child is fallen into the fire, the parent takes quite another course. For he, for will he not try to still him? Then, with a trifle or song, I know, if we succeed not with you, you are lost. if we cannot get your consent to arise and to come away you will perish forever no conversion no salvation I must get your goodwill or leave you miserable

but here the difficulty of my work again occurs to me O Lord choose my stones out of the brook first book of Samuel chapter 17 verses 40 and 45 I come in the name of the Lord God of hosts the God of the armies of Israel I come forth like the stripling David against Goliath to wrestle and not with flesh or blood but with principalities and powers and rulers of the darkness of this world Ephesians chapter 6 verse 12 this day. Let, for me, do thou carry it to the mark and make it sink, not into the forehead, but into the heart of the unconvicted sinner, and smite him to the ground like Saul of Tarsus. Acts chapter 9 verse 4

Some of you do not know what I mean by conversion, and in vain shall I attempt to persuade you to that which you do not understand. Therefore, for your sakes, I will show what conversion is. Others cherish secret hopes of mercy, though they continue as they were. For them I must show the necessity of conversion. Others are likely to harden themselves with the vain conceit that they are converted already. To them I must show the marks of the unconverted. Others, because they feel no harm, fear none, and so sleep as they upon the top of a mast. To them I must show the misery of the unconverted. Others sit still because they do not see the way of escape. so then I must show the means of conversion and finally for the quickening of all I shall close with the motives to conversion

3. Mistakes about conversion

The devil has made many counterfeits of conversion and cheats one with this and another with that. He has such craft and artifice in his mystery of deceits that if it were possible he would deceive the very elect. Now that I may cure the ruinous mistake of some who think that they are converted when they are not, as well as remove the troubles and fears of others who think that they are not converted when they are, I will show you the nature of conversion, both what it is not and what it is. We will begin with the negative.

Conversion is not the taking upon us the profession of Christianity Christianity is more than a name if we will hear Paul it does not lie in word but in power 1 Corinthians chapter 4 and verse 20 if to cease to be Jews or Pagans and put on the Christian profession had been true conversion as this is all that some would have us to understand by it who better Christians than they of Sardis and Laodicea these were all Christians by profession they had a name to live but because they had a name they are condemned by Christ and threatened to be rejected Revelation chapter 3 verses 14 to 16 are there not many that name the name of the Lord Jesus who do not depart from iniquity 2nd Timothy chapter 2 verse 19 and profess that they know God but in works deny him Titus chapter 1 verse 16 so will God receive these as true converts? what? converts from sin while they live in sin? it is a visible contradiction

surely if the lamp of profession had served the turn the foolish virgins would never have been cast out Matthew chapter 25 verse 12 we find not only professing Christians but preachers of Christ and wonder workers rejected because they were evil workers Matthew chapter 7 verses 22 to 23 conversion is not the putting on the badge of Christ in baptism Ananias and Sapphira and Simon Magus were baptised as well as the rest how many make a mistake here dreaming that effectual grace is necessarily tied to the external administration of baptism so that every baptised person is regenerated not only sacramentally but really and properly hence men fancy that because they were regenerated when they were baptised they need no further work but if this were so then all that have been baptised must necessarily be saved because the promise of pardon and salvation is made to conversion and regeneration Acts chapter 3 verse 19 Matthew 19 verse 28 and indeed were conversion and baptism the same then men would do well to carry a certificate of baptism when they die and upon sight of this there is no doubt of their admission into heaven

in short if there is nothing more to conversion or regeneration than to be baptised this would fly directly in the face of that scripture Matthew chapter 7 verses 13 to 14 as well as a multitude of others If this were true, we could no more say, Straight is the gate, and narrow is the way. For if all that are baptised are saved, the door is exceeding wide, and we shall henceforth say, Wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth unto life. if this is true thousands may go in abreast and we will no more teach that the righteous are scarcely saved or that there is need of such a stare in taking the kingdom of heaven by violence and striving to enter in 1 Peter 4.18 Matthew 11.12 Luke 13.24

Surely if the way be so easy as many suppose, that little more is necessary than to be baptised and to cry out, Lord have mercy, we need not put ourselves to such seeking and knocking and wrestling as the word requires in order to salvation. again if this is true we shall no more say few there be that find it we will rather say few there be that miss it we shall no more say that of the many that are called few are chosen Matthew chapter 22 verse 14 and that even of the professing Israel but a remnant shall be saved Romans chapter 9 verse 27 if this doctrine is true we shall no more savor the disciples who then can be saved? but rather who then shall not be saved? then if a man be baptized though he is a fornicator or a railer or covetous or a drunkard yet he shall inherit the kingdom of God 1 Corinthians chapter 5 verse 11 and chapter 6 verses 9 and 10

But some will reply, such as these, though they received regenerating grace in baptism are since fallen away and must be renewed again or else they cannot be saved. I answer, one, there is an infallible connection between regeneration and salvation as we have already shown. to, then man must be born again, again, which carries a great deal of absurdity in its face. We might as well expect a man to be twice born in nature as twice born in grace.

3 and above all, this grants the thing I contend for. For whatever men do or pretend to receive in baptism, if they are found afterwards to be grossly ignorant, or profane, or formal, without the power of godliness, they must still be born again. John 3.7 Or else be shot out of the kingdom of God. so then they must have more to plead for themselves than their hopes of baptismal regeneration well in this you see all are agreed that be it more or less that is in receiving a baptism if men are still evidently unsanctified they must be renewed by a thorough and powerful change or else they cannot escape the damnation of hell

Be not deceived, God is not mocked. whether it be your baptism or whatever else you pretend I tell you from the living God that if any of you be a prayerless person or a scoffer or a lover of evil company Proverbs chapter 13 verse 20 in a word if you are not holy strict and a self-denying Christian you cannot be saved Hebrews chapter 12 verse 14

Matthew chapter 15 verse 14 conversion does not lie in moral righteousness this does not exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees and therefore cannot bring us into the kingdom of God Matthew chapter 5 verse 20 Paul while unconverted touching the righteousness which is by the law was blameless Philippians chapter 3 verse 6 the pharisee could say I am no extortioner, adulterer, unjust etc. Luke chapter 18 verse 11 you must have something more than all this to show or else however you may justify yourself God will condemn you

I do not condemn morality but I warn you not to rest in it. Piety includes morality as Christianity includes humanity and as grace does reason but we must not divide the tables. Conversion does not consist in external conformity to the rules of piety. it is manifest that men may have a form of godliness without a power 2nd Timothy chapter 3 verse 5

men may pray long Matthew chapter 23 verse 14 may fast often Luke chapter 18 verse 12 may hear gladly Mark chapter 6 verse 20 and be very forward in the service of God though costly and expensive Isaiah chapter 1 verse 11 and yet be strangers to conversion they must have more to plead for themselves than that they go to church, give alms, make use of prayer to prove themselves sound converts

there is no outward service but a hypocrite may do it even to the giving of all his goods to feed the poor and his body to be burned 1 Corinthians chapter 13 verse 3 Conversion is not the mere chaining up of corruption by education, human laws, or the force of affliction. It's too common and easy to mistake education for grace. But if this were enough, who was a better man than Jehoash? While Jehoiada lived, his uncle, he was very forward in God's service. and calls upon him to repair the house of the Lord 2nd Kings chapter 12 verse 7 but here was nothing more than good education all this while for when his good tutor was taken away he appears to have been but a wolf chained up and he falls into idolatry

In short, conversion does not consist in illumination or conviction or in a superficial change or partial reformation. An apostate may be an enlightened man. Hebrews chapter 4 verse 4 Felix may tremble under conviction Acts chapter 24 verse 25 and Herod may do many things Mark chapter 6 verse 20 it is one thing to have sin alarmed only by convictions and another to have it crucified by converting grace

Many, because they have been troubled in conscience for their sins, think well of their case, miserably mistaking conviction for conversion. With these, Cain might have passed for a convert, who ran up and down the world like a distracted man, under the rage of a guilty conscience, till he stifled it up with buildings and business.

Others think because they have given up their riotous ways are broken off from evil company or some particular lust and are reduced to sobriety and civility that they are now real converts. They forget that there is a vast difference between sanctification and civilization. They forget that many seek to enter into the kingdom of heaven and are not far from it and arrive to be almost a Christian and yet fall short at last.

While conscience holds the whip over them, many will pray, hear, and read, and forbear their delightful sins. But no sooner is the lion asleep than they are at their sins again. Who more religious than the Jews when God's hand was upon them? Yet no sooner was the affliction over than they forgot God.

You may have forsaken some troublesome sin and have escaped the gross pollutions of the world and yet in all this not have changed your carnal nature. You may take a crude mass of lead and mold it into the more comely proportion of a plant, or then into the shape of an animal, and then into the form and features of a man, but all the time it remains lead. So a man may pass through various transmutations, from ignorance to knowledge, from profanity to civility. then to a form of religion and all this time he is still carnal and unregenerate his nature remains unchanged

Hear then, O sinners, hear that you would live. Why should you willfully deceive yourselves and build your hopes upon the sand? I know that he will find hard work that goes to pluck away your hopes. It cannot be but unpleasant to you, and truly it is not pleasing to me. it as a surgeon when about to cut off a mortified limb from his beloved friend, which of necessity he must do, though he do it with an aching heart.

But understand me, beloved, I am only taking down the ruinous houses, which otherwise will speedily fall of itself and bury you in the ruins, that I may build it fair and strong and firm for ever."

the hope of the wicked shall perish. Proverbs 11 verse 7. And had you not better, O sinner, let the word convince you now in time, and let go your false and self-deluded hopes, than have death open your eyes too late, and find yourselves in hell before you are aware.

I would be a false and a faithless shepherd if I should not tell you that you who have built Your hopes, upon no better ground than these which we have before mentioned, are yet in your sins. Let conscience speak. What have you to plead for yourselves? Is it that you were Christ's slithery, that you bear his name, that you are a member of the visible church? that you have knowledge in the points of religion, are civilized, perform religious duties, are just in your dealings, have been troubled in conscience for your sins. I tell you from the Lord, these pleas will never be accepted at God's bar. All this, though good in itself, will not prove you converted, and so will not suffice for your salvation.

Oh, look to it, and resolve to turn speedily and entirely. Study your own hearts. Do not rest till God has made a thorough work with you, for you must be to other men, or else you are lost men. If these persons come short of conversion, what shall I say of the profane person? It may well be he will scarcely cast his eyes upon or lend an ear to this discourse. If there be any such reading or within hearing, he must know from the Lord that made him that he is far from the kingdom of God.

May a man keep company with the wise virgins and yet be shut out, and shall not a companion of fools, the more be destroyed. May a man be true in his dealings and yet not justified before God. What then will become of you, O wretched man, whose conscience tells you that you are false in your trade and false to your word? if men may be enlightened and brought to the external performance of holy duties, and yet go down to perdition for resting in them and sitting down on this side of conversion, what will become of you, O miserable families that live without God in the world? What will become of you, O wretched sinners, with whom God is scarcely in your thoughts at all, that are so ignorant that you cannot pray, or so careless that you will not?

O repent and be converted, break off your sins by righteousness. A way to Christ for pardoning and renewing grace. Give up yourselves to Him, to walk with Him in holiness or you will never see God. O that you would heed the warnings of God. In his name I once more admonish you. Turn, ye, at my reproof. Forsake the foolish and live. Be sober, righteous, and godly. Wash your hands, ye sinners. Purify your hearts, ye double-minded. Cease to do evil. Learn to do well.

Proverbs 1.23
9.6
Titus 2.12
James 4.8
Isaiah 1.16-17

but if you will go on you must die

4. The nature of conversion

I dare not leave you with your eyes half opened, like him who saw men walking as trees. The word is profitable for doctrine as well as for reproof. And therefore, having thus far conducted you by the shelves and rocks of so many dangerous mistakes, I would guide you at length into the haven of truth. Conversion, then, in short, lies in the thorough change both of the heart and life. I shall briefly describe it in its nature and causes

1. The author of conversion is the Spirit of God and therefore it is called the sanctification of the Spirit 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 and verse 13 and the renewing of the Holy Ghost Titus chapter 3 verse 5 this does not exclude the other persons in the Trinity for the Apostle teaches us to bless the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath begotten us again unto a lively hope 1 Peter chapter 1 verse 3 and Christ is said to give repentance unto Israel Acts chapter 5 verse 31 and is called the everlasting father in Isaiah chapter 9 verse 6 and we his seed and the children which God has given him Hebrews chapter 2 verse 13 yet this work is principally ascribed to the Holy Ghost and so we are said to be born of the Spirit John chapter 3 verses 5 to 6



So then, conversion is a work above man's power. We are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1, 13. Never think that you can convert yourself. If ever you will be savingly converted you must despair of doing it in your own strength. It is a resurrection from the dead, Ephesians 2 verse 1. It is a new creation, Galatians 6 verse 15, Ephesians 2 verse 10. It is a work of absolute omnipotence, Ephesians 1 verse 19. Are not these things out of the reach of human power? If you have no more than you had by your first birth, a good nature, a meek and chaste temper, etc. you are a stranger to true conversion. This is a supernatural work.

2. The efficient cause of conversion is both internal and external. the internal cause is free grace alone not by works of righteousness which we have done but of his mercy he saved us and by the renewing of the Holy Ghost Titus chapter 3 verse 5 of his own will he begat us James chapter 1 verse 18 we are chosen and called unto sanctification not because of it Ephesians chapter 1 verse 4 God finds nothing in man to turn his heart, but enough to turn his stomach. He finds enough to provoke his loathing, but nothing to excite his love. Look back upon yourself, O Christian, reflect upon your swinish nature, your filthy swill, your once beloved mire. Behold your slime and corruption! Do not your own clothes abhor you? Job chapter 9 verse 31 How then should holiness and purity love you? Be astonished, O heavens, at this! Be moved, O earth! Who but must needs cry, Grace! Grace! Zechariah chapter 4 verse 7

hear and blush, you children of the Most High. O unthankful men, that free grace is no more in your mouths, in your thoughts, no more adored, admired, and commended by such as you. One would think that you should be doing nothing but praising and admiring God wherever you are. How can you forget such grace, or pass it over with a slight and formal mention? what but free grace could move God to love you unless enmity could do it unless deformity could do it how affectionately Peter lifts up his hands blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus who of abundant mercy hath begotten us again how feelingly does Paul magnify the free mercy of God in it God who is rich in mercy for his great love wherewith he loved us has quickened us together with Christ by grace are ye saved? Ephesians chapter 2 verses 4 and 5

the external cause is the merit and intercession of the blessed Jesus he hath obtained gifts for the rebellious Psalm 68 verse 18 and through him it is that God worketh in us which is well pleasing in his sight Hebrews chapter 13 verse 21 through him are all spiritual blessings bestowed upon us in heavenly places Ephesians chapter 1 verse 3 he intercedes for the elect that believe not John chapter 17 verse 20 every convert is the fruit of his travail never was an infant born into the world with that difficulty which Christ endured for us all the pains that he suffered on the cross were our birth pangs he has made sanctification to us 1st Corinthians chapter 1 verse 30 he sanctified himself, that is, set apart himself as a sacrifice that we might be sanctified John chapter 17 verse 19 we are sanctified through the offering of his body once for all Hebrews chapter 10 verse 10 it is nothing then but the merit and intercession of Christ that prevails with God to bestow upon us converting grace if you are a new creature, if you know to whom you owe it, you know it is to Christ's pangs and prayers

The foe does not more naturally run after the dam or the suckling, search for the breast, than a believer goes to Jesus Christ. Where else should you go? If any in the world can show for your heart what Christ can, let them do it. Does Satan claim you? Does the world court you? Does sin sue for your heart? Why? Were these things crucified for you? O Christian, love and serve your Lord while you have being.

The instrument of conversion is personal and real. the personal instrument is the ministry in Jesus Christ have I begotten you through the gospel says Paul in 1 Corinthians chapter 4 and verse 15 Christ's ministers are they that are sent to open men's eyes and turn them to God Acts chapter 26 verse 18 oh unthankful world! little do you know what you're doing when you are persecuting the messengers of the Lord these are they whose business it is under Christ to save you! whom have you reproached and blasphemed? Isaiah 38 verse 23 these are the servants of the Most High God that shows the way of salvation Acts chapter 16 verse 17 and do you requite them thus, O foolish and unwise? Deuteronomy chapter 22 verse 6 O sons of ingratitude against whom do you sport yourselves? these are the instruments that God uses to convert and to save sinners and do you revile your physicians and throw your pilots overboard? Father forgive them for they know not what they do

the real instrument is the word we are begotten by the word of truth it is this that enlightens the eye that converts the soul Psalm 19 verses 7 and 8 that makes us wise unto salvation 2nd Timothy chapter 3 verse 15 this is the incorruptible seed by which we are born again 1 Peter chapter 1 verse 23 if we are washed it is by the word Ephesians chapter 5 verse 26 if we are sanctified it is through the truth John chapter 17 verse 17 this generates faith and it regenerates us Romans chapter 10 verse 17 James chapter 1 verse 18 O ye saints, how you should love the word, for by this you have been converted. You that have felt its renewing power, make much of it while you live, be ever thankful for it, tie it about your neck, write it upon your hand, lay it up in your bosom, when you go let it lead you when you sleep let it keep you when you wake let it talk to you Proverbs chapter 6 verses 21 to 22 say with thee Psalmist I will never forget thy precepts for by them thou hast quickened me Psalm 119 verse 93 you that are unconverted read the word with diligence flock to where it is powerfully preached pray for the coming of the spirit in the word come from your knees to the sermon and go from the sermon to your knees the sermon doesn't prosper because it's not watered by prayers and tears nor covered by meditation

the final cause or end of conversion is man's salvation and God's glory we are chosen through sanctification to salvation 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 verse 13 called that we might be glorified Romans 8 verse 30 but especially that God might be glorified Isaiah chapter 60 verse 21 that we should show forth his praises 1 Peter chapter 2 and verse 9 and be fruitful of good works Colossians chapter 1 verse 10 O Christian, do not forget the end of your calling. Let your light shine, let your lamp burn, let your fruits be good and many and in season. Psalm 1 verse 3. Let all your designs fall in with God's that he may be magnified in you. Philippians 1 verse 20. the subject of conversion is the elect sinner a lad in all his parts and powers, members and mind whom God predestinates them only he calls Romans 8 verse 30 none are drawn to Christ by their calling nor come to him by believing but his sheep those whom the Father has given him John chapter 6 verses 37 and 44 effectual calling runs parallel with eternal election 2 Peter 1 verse 10 so you begin at the wrong end if you dispute about your election prove your conversion and then never doubt your election if you cannot yet prove it set a present and a thorough turning whatever God's purposes be they are secret I am sure his promises are plain.

How desperately do rebels argue? If I'm elected I shall be saved, do what I will. If not, I shall be damned, do what I can. perverse sinner! Will you begin where you should end? Is not the word before you, which saith, Repent and be converted that your sins may be plotted out? If you mortify the deeds of the body you shall live, believe, and be saved. Acts chapter 3 verse 19 Romans chapter 8 verse 13 Acts chapter 16 verse 31 What? can be plainer. Do not stand still disputing about your election, but set you to repenting and believing. Cry to God for converting grace. Reveal things belong to you in these busy yourself. It is just as one well said, that they who will not feed on the plain food of the word should be choked with the bones.

whatever God's purposes may be I am sure that his promises are true whatever the decrees of heaven may be I am sure that if I repent and believed I shall be saved and that if I do not repent I shall be damned is not this plain ground for you? and will you yet run upon the rocks?

More particularly, this change of conversion extends to the whole man. A carnal man may have some shreds of good morality, but he is never good throughout the whole cloth. Conversion is not a repairing of an old building, but it takes all down and erects a new structure. It's not the sewing of a patch of holiness, but with the true convert holiness is woven into all of his powers principles and practice the sincere Christian is quite a new fabric from the foundation up to the top stone he is a new man a new creature all things are become new 2nd Corinthians chapter 5 verse 17 conversion is a deep work it is a heart's work It makes a new man in a new world. It extends to the whole man, to the mind, to the members, to the motions of the whole life.

The mind. Conversion turns the balance of the judgment so that God and his glory outweigh all carnal and worldly interests. it opens the eye of the mind and makes the scales of its native ignorance fall off and turns men from darkness to light the man of before so no danger in his condition now concludes himself lost and forever undone Acts chapter 2 verse 37 except renewed by the power of grace he that formerly thought there was little hurt in sin now comes to see it to be the chief of evils he sees the unreasonableness the unrighteousness the deformity and the filthiness of sin so that he is affrighted with it loathes it dreads it flees from it and even abhors himself because of it Romans chapter 7 verse 15 Job chapter 42 verse 6 Ezekiel chapter 36 verse 31 He that could see little sin in himself and could find no matter for confession now sees the rottenness of his heart, the desperate and deep pollution of his whole nature. He cries, Unclean! Unclean! Lord, purge me with hyssop, wash me thoroughly, create in me a clean heart. He sees himself altogether filthy, corrupt, both root and branch. Psalm 14 verse 3 Matthew 7 verses 17 to 18 He writes unclean upon all his parts and powers and performances Isaiah 46 verse 6 Romans 7 verse 18 He discovers the filthy corners that he was never aware of and sees the blasphemy, the theft, the murder, the adultery that is in his heart of which before he was ignorant. Hitherto he saw no form or comeliness in Christ, no beauty that he should desire him. Now he finds a hidden treasure and will sell all to buy that field. Christ is the pearl he seeks. Now, according to this new light, the man is of another mind, another judgment than he was before. Now God is all with him. He has none under heaven or in earth like him who truly prefers him before all the world. His favor is his life. The light of his countenance is more than corn and wine and oil. The good that he formerly inquired after and set his heart upon Psalm 4 verses 6-7 a hypocrite may come to yield a general assent that God is the chief good indeed the wiser heathens, some few of them have at least stumbled upon this truth but no hypocrite comes so far as to look upon God as the most desirable and suitable good to him and thereupon to acquiesce in him this is the convert's voice The Lord is my portion, saith the soul, whom have I in heaven but thee, and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever. Lamentations chapter 3 verse 24 Psalm 73 verses 25 to 26 God, in conversion, turns the bias of the will both as to means and end. The intentions of the will are altered. Now the man has new ends and new designs. He now intends God above all and desires and designs nothing in all the world so much as that Christ may be magnified in him. He counts himself more happy in this than in all that the earth could yield. that he is serviceable to Christ and brings him glory. This is the mark he aims at that the name of Jesus may be great in the world. Reader, do you read this without asking yourself whether it is thus with you? Pause a while and examine yourself. the choice is also changed he pitches upon God as his blessedness and upon Christ and holiness as means to bring him to God he chooses Jesus for his Lord he's not really forced to Christ by the storm nor does he take to Christ for bare necessity but he comes freely his choice is not made in a fright as with the terrified conscience or the dying sinner that will seemingly do anything for Christ but he's only trying to take Christ rather than hell he deliberately resolves that Christ is his best choice and would rather have him than all the good of this world might he enjoy it while he would Philippians chapter 1 verse 23 again he takes holiness for his path he does not out of mere necessity submit to it but he likes it he loves it I have chosen the way of thy precepts Psalm 119 verse 173 He takes God's testimonies, not as his bondage, but as his heritage, yea, heritage forever. He counts them not his burden, but his bliss, not his cords, but his cordials. 1 John 3, Psalm 119, verses 14, 16 and 47. He does not only bear, but he takes up Christ's yoke. He takes not holiness, as the stomach takes some loathed medicine, which a man would rather take than die, but as the hungry man does his most beloved food. no time passes so sweetly with him when he is himself as that which he spends in the exercises of holiness these are both his element and element the desire of his eyes and the joy of his heart put it to your consciences whether you are that man oh happy man if this be your case but see that you are thorough and impartial in your search

conversion turns the bent of the affections these all run in a new channel the Jordan is now driven back and the water runs upward against its natural course Christ is his hope this is his prize here his eyes here his heart he's content to cast all overboard as the merchant in the storm about to perish so that he may just keep his jewel

The first is of his desires, he's not after gold, but after grace. He hungers for it, he seeks it as silver, he digs for it as for hid treasure. He'd rather be gracious than great. He'd rather be the holiest man on earth than the most learned, the most famous, the most prosperous.

Well, Carla, he said, oh, if I were but in great esteem, rolling in wealth, or swimming in pleasures, if my debts were paid, and I and mine were provided for, then I would be a happy man. But now the tune is changed. Oh, says the convert, if I had but my corruption subdued, if I had such a measure of grace and fellowship with God, though I were poor and despised, I should not care. I should account myself a blessed man. Reader, is this the language of your soul?

His joys are changed. He rejoices in the way of God's testimonies as much as in all riches. He delights in the law of the Lord, in which was he had little savour. He has no such joy as in the thought of Christ, the enjoyment of his company, the prosperity of his people.

his cares are quite altered he was once set for the world and any scrap of spare time was enough for his soul now his cry is what must I do to be saved? Acts chapter 16 verse 30 his great concern is how to secure his soul oh how he would bless you if you could put him out of doubt concerning this

his fears are not so much of suffering as of sinning once he was afraid of nothing so much as the loss of his estate or reputation nothing sounded so terrible to him as pain or poverty or disgrace now these are little to him in comparison with God's dishonor or displeasure how warily does he walk lest he should tread upon a snare He looks in front and behind, he has his eye upon his heart and is often casting it over his shoulder lest he should be overtaken by some sin. It kills his heart to think of losing God's favour. This he dreads as his only undoing. No such thought pains him so much as that of parting with Christ.

His love runs in a new course. My love was crucified, says Ignatius, that is my Christ. This is my beloved, says the spouse. Canticles chapter 5 verse 16. How often does Augustine pour his love upon Christ, he can find no words sweet enough. Let me see thee, O light of mine eyes. come, O thou joy of my spirit, let me behold thee, O gladness of my heart, let me love thee, O life of my soul, appear unto me, O my great delight, my sweet comfort, O my God, my life, and the whole glory of my soul, let me find thee, O desire of my heart, let me hold thee, O love of my soul let me embrace thee, O heavenly bridegroom let me possess thee

his sorrows have now a new vent 2nd Corinthians chapter 7 verses 9 and 10 the view of his sins, the sight of Christ crucified that could scarcely stir him before, now how much do they affect his heart. His hatred boils, his anger burns against sin. He has no patience with himself, he calls himself a fool and beast and thinks any name too good for him when his indignation is stirred up against his sin. Psalm 70 verse 3 and Proverbs chapter 30 verse 2. He could once wallow in it with much pleasure, now he loathes the thought of returning to it as much as licking up the filthiest vomit.

Commune then with your own heart and attend to the general current of your affections whether they be towards God in Christ above all other concerns. Indeed, sudden and strong motions of the affections are often found in hypocrites, especially where the natural temperament is warm. and, contrary-wise, the sanctified themselves are often without conscience, stirring of the affections, where the temperant is more slow, dry, and dull. The great inquiry is whether the judgment and will are steadily determined for God above all other good, real, or apparent. If so, and if the affections do sincerely follow their choice and conduct, though it be not so strongly and feelingly as it is to be desired, there is no doubt but the change is saving.

The Members

These that before were the instruments of sin are now become the holy utensils of Christ's living temple. He that before dishonoured his body now possesses his vessel in sanctification and honour, in temperance, chastity and sobriety, and dedicates it to the Lord.

The eye, that was once a wandering eye, a wanton eye, a haughty, a covetous eye, is now employed, as Mary's, in weeping over its sins, in beholding God in his works, in reading his word, or in looking for objects of mercy and opportunities for his service.

the ear that was once open to Satan's call and did relish nothing so much as filthy or at least frothy talk and the laughter of fools is now bored to the door of Christ's house and open to his disciples it says speak Lord for thy servant heareth it waits for his word as the rain and relishes them more than the appointed food Job chapter 23 verse 12 and more than honey in the honeycomb Psalm 19 verse 10

the head that was full of worldly designs is now filled with other matters and set on the study of God's will and the man employs his head and not so much about his gain as about his duty the thoughts and cares that fill his head are principally how he may please God and flee from sin

his heart, that was a stye of filthy lusts, is now become an altar of incense, where the fire of divine love is ever kept burning, and from which the daily sacrifice of prayer and praise, and the sweet incense of holy desires, ejaculations and prayers are continually ascending.

The mouth is become a well of life, his tongue is choice silver, and his lips feed many. now the salt of grace has seasoned his speech has eaten out the corruption Colossians chapter 4 verse 6 and cleansed the man from his filthy conversation flattery, boasting, railing, lying, swearing, backbiting and what came like flashing flashes proceeding from hell that was in his heart James chapter 3 verse 6

that throat that once was an open sepulchre now sends forth the sweet breath of prayer and of holy discourse and the man speaks with another tongue in the language of Canaan and is never so well as when talking of God and of Christ and of the matters of another world his mouth brings forth wisdom his tongue has become the silver trumpet of his maker's praise his glory and the best member that he has now here you will find the hypocrite sadly deficient he speaks it may be like an angel but he has a covetous eye or the gain of unrighteousness is in his hand his hand is white but his heart is full of rottenness Matthew chapter 23 verse 27 full of unmortified cares a very oven of lust a shop to pride a seat of malice

It may be with Nebuchadnezzar's image, he has a golden head, a great deal of knowledge, but he has feet of clay. His affections are worldly, he minds earthly things, and his way and walk are sensual and carnal. The work is not thorough with him.

The Life and Practice the new man takes a new course Ephesians 2 verses 2 to 3 his conversation is in heaven Philippians chapter 3 verse 20 no sooner does Christ call by effectual grace but he straightway becomes a follower of him when God has given a new heart and written his law in his mind he henceforth walks in his statutes and keeps his judgments

Though sin may dwell in him, truly a wearisome and unwelcome guest, yet it has no more dominion over him. He has his fruit unto holiness, though he makes many a blot, yet the law and life of Jesus is what he looks to as his pattern, and he has an unfeigned respect to all God's commandments. He makes conscience even of little sins, and of little duties. His very infirmities, which he cannot help, though he would, are his soul's burden, and are like the dust in a man's eye, which though belittled, is not a little troublesome.

O man, do you read this, and never stop to examine yourself? The sincere convert is not one man at church and another man at home. He is not a saint on his knees and a cheat in his shop. He will not tithe mint and cumin and neglect mercy and judgment and the weightier matters of the law. He doesn't pretend piety and neglect morality.

and he turns from all his sins and keeps all God's statutes, though not perfectly, yet in desire and endeavour, yet sincerely, not allowing himself in the breach of any. Now he delights in the word, and sets himself to prayer, and opens his hand and draws out his soul to the hungry. he breaks off his sins by righteousness and his iniquities by showing mercy to the poor Daniel chapter 4 verse 27 he has a good conscience willing in all things to live honestly Hebrews chapter 13 verse 18 and to keep without offense towards God and men

here again you find the unsoundness of many that take themselves to be good Christians they are partial in the law Malachi chapter 2 verse 19 and take up the cheap and the easy duties of religion but they do not go thoroughly in the work they are like a cake half baked and half raw it may be you find them exact in their words punctual in their dealings but then they do not exercise themselves unto godliness and as for examining themselves and governing their hearts to this they are strangers

you may see them duly at church but follow them to their families and there you will see little but what is of the world indeed or if they have family duties follow them into their closets and there you shall find their souls are but little looked after it may be that they seem religious but they do not bridle their tongues and so all their religion is vain James chapter 1 verse 26 it may be they come to closet and family prayer but then follow them to their shops and there you will find them in the habit of lying or in some fashionable way of deceit

thus the hypocrite is not thorough in his obedience the objects from which we turn in conversion are sin, Satan, the world and our own righteousness we turn from sin when a man is converted he is forever at enmity with sin with all sin, but most of all with his own sins, especially his own bosom sin. Sin is now the object of his indignation. His sin swells his sorrows. It is sin that pierces him and wounds him. He feels it like a thorn in his side, like a prick in his eyes. He groans and struggles under it. and not formally, but feelingly cries out, O wretched man! He is not impatient of any burden so much as this of his sin. If God should give him choice he would choose any affliction so that he might be rid of sin. He feels it like the cutting gravel in his shoes pricking and paining him as he goes along.

Before conversion He had light thoughts of sin. He cherished it in his bosom as you rye his lamb. He nourished it up. It grew up together with him. It did eat as it were of his meat and drank of his own cup and lay in his bosom and was to him as a daughter. But, when God opens his eyes by conversion, he throws it away with abhorrence, as a man would a loathsome toad, which in the dark he had hugged fast to his bosom, as though it had been some pretty and harmless bird.

When a man is savingly changed, he is deeply convinced, not only of the danger, but of the defilement of sin, and oh, how earnest he is with God to be purified! He loathes himself for his sins. He runs to Christ and casts himself into the fountain set open for him and for uncleanness. If he fall, what a stare there is till he gets all clean again. He has no rest till he flees to the word and washes and rubs and rinses in its infinite fountain, laboring to cleanse himself from all filthiness, both of flesh and of spirit.

the sound convert is heartily engaged against sin. He struggles with it, he wars against it, he is too often foiled, but he will never yield the cause, nor lay down his weapons while he has breath in his body. He will make no peace, he will give no quarter.

he can forgive his other enemies he can pity them and pray for them but here he is implacable here he is set upon extermination he hunts it as it were for the precious life his eye shall not pity his hand shall not spare though it be a right hand or a right eye be it gainful sin most delightful to his nature or the support of his esteem with worldly friends, yet he will rather throw his gain down in the gutter, see his credit fall, or the flower of his pleasure wither in his hand, than he will allow himself to be any more in a way of known sin. He will grant no indulgence, he will give no toleration. He draws upon sin whenever he meets it, and frowns upon it with this unwelcome salute, Have I found thee, O mine enemy?

Reader, has conscience been at work while thou hast been looking upon these lines? Have you pondered these things in your heart? Have you searched the book within to see if these things be so? If not, read it again and make your conscience speak whether it is or is not thus with you. Have you crucified your flesh with its affections and lusts, and not only confessed but forsaken your sins, all sin, in your fervent desires and the ordinary practice of every deliberate and willful sin in your life? If not, you are yet unconverted. Does not conscience fly in your face as you read and tell you that you live in a way of lying to your advantage? that you use deceit in your calling that there is in some way a secret wantonness that you live in why then do not deceive yourself thou art in the gall of bitterness and the bond of iniquity as your unbridled tongue, your indulgence of appetite, your wicked company, your neglect of prayer, of reading and of hearing the word, now witness against you and say, we are your works and we will follow you. or if I have not hit you right does not the monitor within tell you there is such and such a way that you know to be evil that yet for some carnal respect you tolerate yourself in? if this be the case you are to this day unregenerate and must be changed or condemned

we turn from Satan Conversion binds the strong man, spoils his armor, casts out his goods, turns men from the power of Satan unto God. Before, the devil could no sooner hold up his finger to the sinner, to call him to his wicked company, sinful games, and filthy delights, but immediately he rose and followed, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks. as the bird that hasteth to the snare and knoweth not that it is for his life Proverbs chapter 7 verses 22 to 23 no sooner could Satan bid him lie but immediately he had it on his tongue no sooner could Satan offer a wanton object but he was stung with lust If the devil says, away with these family duties, be sure they will be rarely performed in that house. If the devil says, away with this strictness, this preciseness, he will keep far enough from it. If he tells him there is no need of secret duties, he will go from day to day and scarcely ever perform them.

but after he is converted he serves another master and takes quite another course he goes and comes at Christ's bidding Satan may sometimes catch his foot in a trap but he will no longer be a willing captive he watches against the snares and baits of Satan and studies to be acquainted with his devices He is very suspicious of his plots and is very jealous in what comes across him lest Satan should have some design upon him. He wrestles against principalities and powers. He entertains the messenger of Satan as men do the messengers of death. He keeps his eye upon his enemy and watches in his duties lest Satan should get an advantage.

we turn from the world. Before a man has true faith he was overcome by the world. He either bows down to mammon or idolizes his reputation or is a lover of pleasure more than a lover of God. here is the root of man's misery by the fall he is turned aside to the creature and gives that esteem and confidence and affection he gives it to the creature that which is due to God oh miserable man what a deformed monster has sin made you God made you a little lower than the angels and sin has made you little better than the devils a monster that has his head where his heart and where his feet should be His feet are kicking against heaven. Everything is out of its due place. The will that was formed to serve you has come to rule you. The deceitful Harlot has bewitched you with her enchantments and made you bow down and serve her.

But converting grace sets all in order again and puts God on his throne and the world as his footstool. Christ in the heart and the world under the feet I am crucified to the world and the world to me Galatians chapter 6 verse 14 before this change all the cry was who will show us any that is worldly good but now he prays Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon me and take the corn and the wine whosoever will Psalm 4 verses 6 to 7 before his heart's delight and content were in the world and the song was so take my knees eat drink and be merry thou hast much goods laid up for many years But now all this has withered. There is no comeliness that we should desire it. And he tunes up with the sweet psalmist of Israel. The Lord is the portion of my inheritance. The lions are fallen to me in fair places. I have a goodly heritage.

Nothing else can make him content. He has written vanity and vexation upon all his worldly enjoyments, and loss and dung upon all human excellences. he has life and immortality now in his pursuit he pants for grace and glory and has a crown incorruptible in view his heart is set in him to seek the Lord he seeks first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and religion is no longer a casual matter with him but is his main concern

before the world had the sway with him he could do more for gain than godliness more to please his friend or his flesh than the God who made him God must stand by till the world was first served but now all must stand by he hates father and mother and life and all in comparison with Christ

well then pause a little and look within does not this concern you? You pretend to be for Christ, but does not the world sway you? Do you not take more delight and content in this world than in Him? Do you not find yourself more at ease when the world is in your mind and you are surrounded with carnal delights than when retired to prayer and meditation in your room or attending upon God's word and worship?