An Alarm to Unconverted Sinners

Chapter 1

VII. Motives for conversion.

-- 4 of 492 -- By that faithful servant of Jesus Christ, MR. JOSEPH ALLEIN, Minister of the Gospel at Taunton, in Somersetshire. First published 1671 Unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. JOHN 3.

Chapter 2

numbers included intra-text.

I pray Alleine’s work proves useful to examine your own walk with Christ, either affirming and strengthening your faith in Christ, or provoking you to flee to Him for salvation; this was Alleine’s purpose in writing it.

Chapter 3

1. Pray in the name of Christ, as you are and will be enabled, for the

more effectual assistances of the Holy Spirit. Such is the corruption of our nature that it utterly disables us from making a saving use of outward means without inward aids. Unless the Spirit, by his powerful operations

Chapter 4

2. Consider seriously what you read, and work it upon your soul to

the extent that a given section concerns you. Medicines for the body will operate even if they are not thought about; but spiritual remedies for the mind require its co-operation with them: the clearest explications, ful

Chapter 5

3. Once you have seriously considered and resolved what to do,

proceed to practice it with all your might, and without the least delay. It is commonly a work of some time to alter the temper of the soul, and to change the course of the life; and according to God’s usual methods, the

Chapter 6

4. Remember that conversion to God is just the beginning of your

duty; you must afterwards obey him all the days of your life. There is no other way to preserve an ix. -- 11 of 492 -- interest in his favour, and a right to its great expressions. The largest and last discoveries of d

Chapter 7

1. It is not taking on the profession of Christianity.

Doubtless Christianity is more than a name. If we hear Paul, it does not lie in words but in power.1Cor 4.20 If ceasing to be Jews and Pagans, and verbally professing to be Christians, had been true conversion (this is a

Chapter 8

2. It is not being washed in the laver of regeneration, or

putting on the badge of Christ in baptism. Many take the press- money,6 and wear the uniform of Christ, yet they never stand to their colours, or follow their leader. Ananias, Saphira, and Magus were each baptized, as we

Chapter 9

2. Then men must be born again, which carries a great deal of

absurdity in its very face. And why may not men be twice born in nature as well as in grace? Why not as great an absurdity to be twice re-generated as to be twice generated? But 3. and above all, this allows the thing I

Chapter 10

1. Because then there would be no reason why it should be confined

only to the seed of believers; for both the law of God, and the nature of charity, requires us to use the means of conversion for all, as far as we have opportunity. Were this true, there is no better charity than to cat

Chapter 11

2. Because it presupposes regeneration, and therefore it cannot be

intended to confer it. In all the express instances in scripture, we find that baptism assumes their repentance, belief, and receipt the Holy Ghost.14 It would be no little absurdity to imagine that baptism was institute

Chapter 12

3. Because baptism is only a seal of the covenant, it cannot convey

the benefits except according to the tenor of the covenant to which -- 21 of 492 -- the seal is set. Now the covenant is conditional; therefore the seal conveys conditionally. The covenant requires faith and repentance

Chapter 13

3. It does not lie in moral righteousness. — This does not

exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, and therefore it cannot bring us to the kingdom of God.Mat 5.20 Paul, while unconverted, was blameless as to the righteousness which is in the law.Phi 3.6 None could

Chapter 14

4. It does not consist in external conformity to the rules of

piety. It is too obvious that men may have a form of godliness without the power of it.2Tim 3.5 Men may pray long,Mat 23.14 and fast often, Luk 18.12 and hear gladly,Mar 6.20 and be very ambitious in the service of God,

Chapter 15

5. It does not lie in chaining up corruption by education,

human laws, or the force of obligatory affliction. It is too common and easy to mistake education for grace; but if this were enough, who was a better man than Joash? While Jehoiada his uncle lived, he was ambitious in G

Chapter 16

6. In short, it does not consist in illumination. or

conviction: in a superficial change, or partial reformation: An apostate may be a man enlightened,Heb 6.4 a Felix who trembles under convictions,Act 24.25 and a Herod who amends many things.Mar 6.20 26 But it is on

Chapter 17

2. The moving cause is either internal, or external.

-- 26 of 492 -- The internal mover is free grace alone: Not by works of righteousness which we have done; but of his own mercy he saved us by the renewing of the Holy Ghost.Tit. 3.5 Of his own will he bore us. Jas. 1.18

Chapter 18

3. The instrument is either personal or real.

The personal is the ministry: In Christ, I became your father through the gospel.1Cor 4.15 Christ’s ministers are those sent to open men’s eyes, and turn them to God.Act 26.18 O unthankful world, little do you know what

Chapter 19

4. The final cause is man’s salvation and God’s glory.

We are chosen through sanctification to salvation,2Thes 2.13 called that we might be glorified,Rom 8.30 but especially, that God might be glorified,Isa 60.21 that we would display his praises,1Pet 2.9 and be -- 29 of 49

Chapter 20

5. The subject is the elect sinner in all his parts and

powers, members and mind. God calls only those he predestines.Rom 8.30 None are drawn to Christ by their calling, nor do they come to him by believing, except his sheep — those whom the Father has given him.Joh 6.37, 44

Chapter 21

1. Throughout the mind. It makes a universal change within. First, It

turns the balance of the judgment, so that God and his glory outweigh all carnal and worldly interest.22 It opens the eye of the mind, and makes the scales of its native ignorance fall off; it turns men from darkness to

Chapter 22

2. Throughout the members. Those who were the instruments of sin

before, have now become the holy utensils of Christ’s living temple.35 Someone who before made a vulgarity or a cask of his body, now possesses his vessel in sanctification and honour, in temperance, chastity and sobriet

Chapter 23

3. Throughout the activities, or the life and practice. The new man

takes a new course; Eph 2.2-3 His citizenship is in heaven,Phi 3.20 No sooner does Christ call him by effectual grace, than he becomes a follower of Christ.Mat 4.20 When God has given him a new heart, and written his law

Chapter 24

1. The things from which we turn in this motion of conversion are

sin, Satan, the world, and our own righteousness. 50 First, Sin. When a man is converted, he is done forever with sin, yes, with all sin;Psa 119.128 but most of all he is done with his own sins, and especially with his s

Chapter 25

2. The terms to which we are turned, are either ultimate or

subordinate, and also mediate. The ultimate is God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, whom the true convert takes as his all-sufficient and eternal blessedness. A man is never truly sanctified until his heart is truly set

Chapter 26

I. Your being is in vain. Isn’t it a pity that you are good for

nothing, an unprofitable burden on the earth, a wart or a cyst in the body of the universe? This is what you are while you remain unconverted; for you cannot fulfil the purpose of your being. Is it not for the divine ple

Chapter 27

II. Not only man, but the whole visible creation is in vain

without conversion. Beloved, God has made all the visible creatures in heaven and earth for the service of man; and man alone is the spokesman for all the rest. Man is in the universe like the tongue is in the body: it s

Chapter 28

III. Without this, your religion is in vain.Jas. 1.26 All your

religious performances are but lost; for they can neither please God, -- 57 of 492 -- Rom 8.8, nor save your soul,1Cor 13.2-3 which are the very ends of religion. No matter how gilded your services may be, God takes no

Chapter 29

IV. Without this, your hopes are in vain.84

The Lord has rejected your confidences. Jer 2.37 First, your hopes of comfort here are in vain. It is not only necessary to the safety, but to the comfort of your condition, that you be converted. Without this, you will

Chapter 30

V. Without this, all that Christ has done and suffered will

be in vain for you.87 That is, in no way will it lead to your salvation. Many urge this as a sufficient ground for their hopes: that Christ died for sinners. But I must tell you that Christ never died to save impenitent

Chapter 31

3. Drunkards. Not only those who drink away their reason, but along

with this, indeed, above all this, those who are addicted to strong drink. The Lord fills his mouth with woes against these, and he declares that they have no inheritance in the kingdom of God. Isa 5.11- 12, 22; Gal. 5.3

Chapter 32

4. Liars. The God that cannot lie has told them that there is no place

for them in his kingdom, no entrance into his hill; instead, their portion is with the father of lies (whose children they are) in the lake of burnings. Psa 15.1-2; Rev 21.8, 27; Joh 8.44; Pro 6.17

Chapter 33

7. Thieves, extortioners, oppressors, who grind the poor and over-

stretch their brothers when they have them at an advantage: these must know that God is the avenger of all these.1Thes 4.6 Hear, O you false, and purloining, and wasteful servants! Hear, O you deceitful tradesmen! Hear y

Chapter 34

8. All that typically live in the profane neglect of God’s worship,

those who don’t hear his word, who don’t call on his name, who withhold prayer before God, who don’t mind their own soul, nor their family’s souls, but live without God in the world.Joh 8.47; 15.4; Psa 14.4; 79.6; Eph 2.

Chapter 35

10. Scoffers at religion, those who scorn strict living, and laugh at

the messengers and diligent servants of the Lord and their holy profession, and amuse themselves with the weakness and failings of those who profess Christ: hear, you despisers; hear your dreadful doom. Pro 19.29; 2Chr 3

Chapter 36

1. Gross ignorance. Ah, how many poor souls this sin kills in the

darkHos. 4.6 while they sincerely think they have good hearts, and are on their way to heaven! This is the murderer who dispatches thousands silently when (poor hearts!) they suspect nothing, and don’t see the hand that

Chapter 37

2. Secret reservations in following Christ. To forsake all for Christ,

to hate father and mother for him — yes, even a man’s own life — this is a hard saying.Luk 14.6 Some will do much, but they will not be of the sort of religion that deprives them of anything; 106 they will never be entir

Chapter 38

3. Formality in religion. Many stop at the bark of the tree, and rest

on the outside of religion, in the external performances of their holy duties.Mat 23.25 This most effectively deceives men; it more certainly undoes them than open looseness, as it did in the Pharisees’ case.Mat 23.31 Th

Chapter 39

4. The prevalence of false ends in holy duties.Mat 23.25 This was the

bane of the Pharisees. Oh, how many a poor soul is undone by this, and drops into hell before he discerns his mistake! He performs good duties, and so he thinks all is well. 107 He doesn’t perceive that he is motivated b

Chapter 40

5. Trusting in their own righteousness.Luk 18.9 This is a soul-undoing

mischief.Rom 10.3 When men trust in their own righteousness, they do indeed reject Christ’s. Beloved, you need to watch on every hand — for not only may your sins undo you, but your duties. It may be you never thought of

Chapter 41

6. A secret hostility against the strictness of religion. Many moral

persons, punctual in their formal devotions, still have a bitter hostility against strictness; they hate the life and power of religion.111 They don’t like this aggressiveness, that men are so stirred up by religion. The

Chapter 42

8. The predominant love of the world. This is the sure evidence of an

unsanctified heart.112 But how close this sin lurks, often under a pleasing cover of open profession! Luk 8.14 Indeed, such a power of deceit exists in this sin, that many times, 109 when everybody else can see the man’s

Chapter 43

9. Reigning malice and envy against those who disrespect or injure

them.1Joh 2.9, 11 Oh, how many who seem to be religious remember injuries, and carry grudges, and return to men as good as they get: rendering evil for evil, loving to take revenge, 110 wishing evil to those who wrong th

Chapter 44

10. Unmortified pride. When men love the praise of men more than

the praise of God, and they set their hearts on men’s esteem, applause, and approbation, it is most certain that they are still in their sins, and strangers to true conversion.115 When men don’t see, or complain, or groa

Chapter 45

11. The prevailing love of pleasure.2Tim 3.4 This is a black mark.

When men give the flesh the liberty that it craves, and they pamper and please it and don’t deny and restrain it; when their great delight is in gratifying their bellies and pleasing their senses: whatever appearance the

Chapter 46

12. Carnal security, or a presumptuous and ungrounded confidence

that their condition is already good.Rev 3.17 Many cry peace and safety, when sudden destruction is coming upon them. 1Thes 5.3 This is what kept the foolish virgins sleeping when they should have been working; it kept t

Chapter 47

I. The infinite God is engaged against you.

It is no small part of your misery that you are without God.Eph 2.12 Micah ran crying after the Danites, You have taken away my gods, and what have I left? Jdg 18.23-24 122 Oh, what a mourning you must then lift up, you

Chapter 48

1. His face is against you. The face of the Lord is against those who

do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them.Psa 34.16 Woe to those whom God sets his face against. When he but looked upon the host of the Egyptians, how terrible was the consequence! I will set my face against that man,

Chapter 49

2. His heart is against you: He hates all the workers of iniquity.

125 Man, does your heart not tremble to think of being an object of God’s hatred? Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be inclined towards this people: throw them out of my sight. Jer 15.1 My so

Chapter 50

3. His hand is against you. 1Sam. 12.14-15 All his attributes are against

you: First, His justice is like a flaming sword, unsheathed against you. If I whet my glittering sword, and my hand takes hold on judgment, I will render vengeance to my adversaries, and will reward those who hate me. I

Chapter 51

II. The whole creation of God is against you. The whole creation

(says Paul) groans and travails in pain.Rom 8.22 But what is it that the creation groans under? Why, the tearful abuse that it is subject to in serving the lusts of unsanctified men. And what is it that the creation groa

Chapter 52

III. The roaring lion has his full power upon you.1Pet 5.8 You are held

fast in the paw of that lion which is greedy to devour you. You are in the snare of the devil, led captive by him at his will.2Tim 2.26 This is the spirit that works in the children of disobedience.Eph 2.2 They are his d

Chapter 53

IV. The guilt of your sins lies like a mountain upon you. Poor soul!

You don’t feel it, but this is what seals your misery. While unconverted, none of your sins are blotted out,Act 3.19 they are all on the score against you: regeneration and remission are never separated; the unsanctified

Chapter 54

V. Your raging lusts miserably enslave you. While unconverted, you

are a servant to sin. It reigns over you and holds you under its dominion, until you are brought within the bonds of God’s covenant.141 Now there’s no other tyrant like sin. 137 Oh, the filthy and fearful work that it en

Chapter 55

VI. The furnace of eternal vengeance is heated — ready for you.Isa

30.33 Hell and destruction open their mouths for you, they gape for you, they groan for you,Isa 5.14 waiting with a greedy eye as you stand on the brink, and when you drop in. If the wrath of man is like the roaring of a

Chapter 56

VII. The law discharges all its threats and curses at you.145

Oh, how dreadfully it thunders! It spits fire and brimstone in your face: its words are like drawn swords and the sharp arrows of the mighty: it demands satisfaction to the utmost, and it cries, “Justice, justice!” 142 I

Chapter 57

VIII. The gospel itself binds on you the sentence of eternal

damnation.Mar 16.16 If you continue in your impenitent and unconverted state, know that the gospel announces a much worse condemnation than would ever have been levied for the transgression only of the first covenant. Is

Chapter 58

3. Search your heart to see whether you are sincerely willing to

forsake all your sins and resign yourself, body and soul, to God and to his service — to serve him in holiness and righteousness all the days of your life. Secondly, Put your spirit in the most serious frame possible, su

Chapter 59

1. The God that made you most graciously invites you.

First, His most sweet and merciful nature invites you. Oh, the kindness of God, his working pity, his tender mercies! They are infinitely above our thoughts: they are higher than heaven; what can we do? Deeper than hell;

Chapter 60

2. The doors of heaven are thrown open to you, the everlasting

gates are set wide for you, and an abundant entrance into the kingdom of heaven is provided to you. Christ now speaks to you, (as the woman spoke to her husband) Arise and take possession.1Kng 21.15 View the glory of the

Chapter 61

3. God will place unspeakable privileges on you right now.208

Though the fullness of your blessings will be deferred until hereafter, God will give you no little things in-hand.209 He will redeem you from your bondage.Joh 8.36 He will pluck you from the lion’s paw.Col. 1.13 The ser

Chapter 62

4. The terms of mercy are brought as low as possible to you. God

has stooped as low to sinners as he can do with honour. He will not be thought to favour sin; nor will he stain the glory of his holiness. How could he come lower than he has, unless he would do those things? He has abat

Chapter 63

5. In what you are impotent, God offers grace to enable you. I have

stretched out my hand and no man regarded.Pro 1.24 Though you are plunged into the ditch of that misery from which you can never get out, Christ offers to help you out; he stretches out his hand to you: if you perish, it

Chapter 64

1. Personal godliness. Let it be your first care to set up Christ in your

hearts: see that you make all your worldly interest stoop to him, that you are entirely and unreservedly devoted to him. If you wilfully, and deliberately, and ordinarily harbour any sin, you are undone.231 See that you

Chapter 65

2. Family godliness. The one who has set up Christ in his heart will

be sure to study to set him up in his house. Let every family be a Christian church,1Cor 19.19 every house a house of prayer; let every householder say with Joshua, I and my house will serve the Lord;Josh. 24.15 and reso

Chapter 66

2. Let every person in your families be duly called to account as to

how they are profiting by the word heard or read as they are going about your business: this is a sacred duty of consequence; 233 and it would be a means to bring those under your charge to remember and profit by what th

Chapter 67

3. Often take an account of the souls under your care concerning

their spiritual states.237 Enquire into their condition; emphasize the sinfulness and misery of their natural state, and the necessity of regeneration and conversion in order to be saved. Admonish them gravely for their

Chapter 68

4. See to the strict sanctity of the Sabbath by all your household.238

Many poor families have little other time. Oh, if you would as diligently improve your Sabbath days in labouring for knowledge and doing your Maker’s work, as you do the other days in doing your own work, then I have no

Chapter 69

5. Let the morning and evening sacrifice of solemn prayer be offered

up daily in all your families.239 Beware they are not found among the families that don’t call on God’s name; for, why should there be wrath from the Lord upon your families? Jer 10.25 -- 164 of 492 -- 234 Families wit

Chapter 70

6. Have everyone in your families engage in private prayer. Observe

whether they perform it. Get them the help of a form if they need it, until they are able to do without it. Direct them how to pray by reminding them of their sins, wants, and mercies, which are the materials of prayer.

Chapter 71

7. Set up catechising in your families at the least once every week.

Have you no fear of the Almighty’s charge that you should teach these things diligently to your children, and talk of them as you sit in your houses? 244 And train them up in the way in which they should go?Pro 22.6 God

Chapter 72

1. Put off every sin.

It is your iniquity that separates you and your God; this is the point of contention. If you want God pleased, then turn every sin out of doors, pluck it out, cast it from you; if you esteem iniquity in your heart, God w

Chapter 73

2. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Rom 13.14

(1.) Put on the red robe of his righteousness for justification. The Lord will never give you a good look or a good word except in Christ. He is a revenging, consuming fire to those out of Christ; but put on Christ’s rob

Chapter 74

I. Be clothed with humility.1Pet 5.5 This is a garment which must

be put on, or else you cannot be accepted or saved.Mat 18.3 Here is the dress that you must come to God in. He must be served in humility of mind.Act 20.19 You must humble yourselves to walk with him.Mic 6.8 Humility is

Chapter 75

II. Labour for sincerity. This is not a distinct grace from the rest;

yet, for doctrine sake I will speak of it distinctly. Uprightness is the main thing God looks for and covenants for.Gen 17.1 It is what renders us and our performances acceptable to God.Pro 15.8 Those who are upright in

Chapter 76

III. Put on a spirit of zeal and activity. How wonderfully God

was pleased with Phinehas’ zeal. Num. 25.11-13 What great approbation he shows him! What a testimony he gives him! He is so greatly pleased with Phinehas’ zealous appearance for him, that he turns away his displeasure fr

Chapter 77

IV. Live by faith. Heb 10.38 This is a precious grace in God’s

account.260 It gives glory to God, and therefore God takes no small pleasure in it. By faith, Enoch obtained the testimonial that he pleased God.261 If you want to walk so as to please God, you must walk by faith. Christ

Chapter 78

V. Put on the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. This has

great value in God’s sight.1Pet 3.4 Study to be like your Father: slow to anger, ready to forgive, forgetting injuries, loving enemies, requiting ill-will with kindness, ill-words with courtesy, and neglects with -- 186

Chapter 79

VI. Get a spirit of self-denial. God is pleased best, when self is

displeased most. God is well- pleased when we are content to be empty and abased, so that God may be honored. And as with the holy Baptist, he is pleased when we are willing to be eclipsed by Christ, willing to decrease;

Chapter 80

VII. Maintain a spirit of resolution and constancy in God’s

way.Heb 10.38 This was the renown of the three worthies.Dan. 3 They265 did not fear the fierceness of Nebuchadnezzar’s rage, nor the fire of the furnace. All the world could not make them bow. And how gloriously God owne

Chapter 81

1. That they are done by the right rule, which is God’s word. You

must not follow the imaginations of your own hearts.Num. 15.39 You must not do what is right in your own eyes. In all sacred actions, you must have God’s command to warrant you. You may not offer to God anything of which

Chapter 82

3. That they proceed from right principles: (1.) Faith, without

which it is impossible to please God; prayer will not avail you, unless it is the prayer of faith.Heb 11.6 We believe, and therefore we speak. (2.) Love. If we were to give our goods to the poor, and our bodies to the fi

Chapter 83

4. That they may be done in a right manner: (1) preparedly, not

impulsively or inconsiderately in the presence of so dreadful a Majesty; (2) prudently, for lawful acts may be spoiled and may even be done unlawfully if they are done without considering 270 that an offence might in som

Chapter 84

5. That they be directed through the right means, that is, through

Jesus Christ as the only way to the Father. Bring all your sacrifices to the High Priest; offer them all upon this altar; otherwise all is lost. It is not enough to say, “through our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen,” at the end.

Chapter 85

1. That there our natures be altered by renewing grace, for those

who are in the flesh cannot please God.Rom 8.8 Wild vines must bring forth sour grapes.Isa 5.4 The fruit they bear (however deceptively pleasing and fair to the eye) is evil fruit.Mat 7.16 Where a good treasure of grace

Chapter 86

2. That you are accepted through faith in Jesus Christ. For God is

well-pleased in him alone. Mat 3.17 So without faith gaining us an interest in Christ, it is impossible to please God.Heb 11.6 To better understand both these particulars, know that there are two attributes of God to whi

Chapter 87

1. It is enough if we serve God on the Lord’s day, and we may

serve ourselves the rest of the week. Though God has reserved one day in seven to be wholly for his immediate service, which is why it is specifically called the Lord’s day, we still must know that every day is his. He h

Chapter 88

2. If God is served morning and evening, it is enough, even

though we serve ourselves the rest of the day. God must be served every day, and all day.Pro 23.17 You must serve him not only in your fasts, but at your meals; not only on your knees, but in your callings. Some think th

Chapter 89

1. A man’s business is what his livelihood and subsistence

depend on. The lawyer considers the law his business, and the tradesman considers his trade his business, because their livelihood and subsistence depends on them. Brothers, our whole being depends on pleasing God. Do th

Chapter 90

2. A man’s business is what he has his stock and talents for. If a

man is entrusted as a steward or a factor, then his business is to buy commodities that are useful. Beloved, all of our time, parts, interest, food, and clothing, and whatever mercies, spiritual or -- 194 of 492 -- tem

Chapter 91

3. A man’s business is what his capacities call for. It is a man’s

business, if he has the capacity of a judge, to do justice; or the capacity of a servant, to do his masters will. Brothers, all your capacities evidence that it is your business to please God. You are his friends; you ar

Chapter 92

4. A man’s business is what he is employed for. If a man is

employed as a schoolmaster, it is his business to teach; if he is employed as a soldier, it is his business to fight. Beloved, don’t you know who feeds you? Do you think God keeps so many servants to have them idle, or t

Chapter 93

1. Begin at home in provoking good. Why should God plead with

you, you that teach another, do you not teach yourself? Rom 2.21 Be an example of your own rule, or else the hypocrite’s charge will come against you: They bind heavy burdens, but will not touch them with one of their fi

Chapter 94

2. First get the beam out of your own eye in reproving evil;Mat 7.5

otherwise you will be branded a hypocrite. We may not think as many mistakingly do, that we must not reprove another when we are guilty of the same sin. Rather, we must, in such a case, be sure to cast the first stone at

Chapter 95

1562. The duke of Guise and his men slew several dozen Protestant worshippers in a

barn in the Champagne town of Vassy, near the Guise family seat of Joinville. The Protestants mobilized for self-defense, leading to the First Civil War (1562-1563) of the French Wars of Religion. — WHG -- 318 of 492 --

Chapter 96

1555. The chancellor told him the queen’s pardon was in the box if he would recant.

He said he would gladly accept it, for he loved the queen; but it would tend to pluck him from God who was King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and he could not receive it on such terms. (Detroit, 1853 ed.) p. 409. -- 435 o