Required reading
Sure Guide to Heaven (Puritan Paperbacks) by Joseph Alleine (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Chapter 3 (Point 11 to end of the chapter)
My notes and thoughts
More directions to the unconverted:
11) Take heed of delaying conversion
12) Attend conscientiously on the word
13) Strike in with the Spirit
14) Pray. Alleine places a strong emphasis on prayer as part of the conversion: 'He that neglects prayer is a profane and unsanctified sinner. He that is not constant in prayer is a hypocrite, unless the omission be contrary to his ordinary course, under the force of some instant temptation. One of the first things conversion appears in is that it sets men a-praying.'
15) Forsake evil company. Also a strong emphasis on a change in behaviour: 'I never expect your conversion from sin unless you are brought to some self-denial...'
16) Set apart a day to humble your soul.
Interesting that Alleine provides a 'sinner's prayer' to pray. Considerably longer than most that I've seen and with a greater emphasis on the sinner's sin.
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