Required reading
Sure Guide to Heaven (Puritan Paperbacks) by Joseph Alleine (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Chapter 6 (Points 6 to 10)
My notes and thoughts
More directions are given to the unconverted:
6) Make the solemn choice of God - in his personal relations (Father, Son, Spirit); essential perfections (holiness, all-sufficiency, sovereignty, faithfulness). We need to take the God as revealed in Scripture, not the one we wish to construct ourselves: 'But when men close with His mercy, but yet love sin, hating holiness and purity; or will take Him for their Benefactor, but not for their Sovereign; of for their patron, and not for their portion; this is no thorough and sound conversion.'
7) Accept Jesus and all his offices: 'Here lies the main point of your salvation, that you be found in your covenant-closure with Jesus Christ'.
8) Resign all your powers and faculties (will; memory; conscience, affections, desire, fear, grief, mourning, anger, hatred)
9) Choose the laws of Christ as your rule (all of them; for all times; do it deliberately and understandingly): 'Take the Westminster Assembly's Larger Catechism and see their excellent and most comprehensive exposition of the commandments, and put your heart to it.' Now there's a reading challenge that the bookclub could rise to if it keeps going!
10) Covenant with God. Alleine provides a nice covenant which he encourages the reader to consider and then make in writing. I have to say, again, that I like Alleine's continual attempt to impact upon the reader's heart, not simply fill their head with knowledge.
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