Extract from Alleine's Alarm.
By Joseph Alleine
You see who it is that calls you. Consider also by what instruments, and how often and how earnestly he does it. 1. Every leaf of the blessed book of God has as it were a voice, and calls out, Turn, and live; turn, or thou wilt die. How canst thou open it, or read a leaf, or hear a chapter, and not perceive God bids thee turn? 2. The voice of many a motion of the Spirit secretly urges thee to turn. 3. The voice of conscience. Art thou not sometimes convinced that all is not well with thee? And does not thy conscience tell thee that thou must be a new man, and take a new course? 4. The voice of all the works of God. For they also are God's books, that teach thee this lesson, by showing thee his greatness, and wisdom, and goodness, and calling thee to observe them, and admire the Creator. Ps. xix. 1, 2. "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handy work. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge." Every time the sun riseth upon thee, it calls thee to turn, as if it should say, "What do I travel and compass the world for, but to declare to men the glory of their Maker, and to light them to do his work? And do I still find thee doing the work of sin, and sleeping out thy life in negligence? 'Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.'" 5. The voice of every mercy thou dost possess. If thou couldst but hear and understand them, they all cry unto thee, Turn. Why does the earth bear thee, but to seek and serve the Lord? Why does it afford thee its fruit, but to serve him? Why do all the creatures serve thee with their labor and their lives, but that thou mightest serve the Lord of them and thee? Why does he give thee time, health, and strength, but to serve him? Why hast thou meat, and drink, and clothes, but for his service? Hast thou anything which thou hast not received? And if thou didst receive them, it is reason that thou shouldst bethink thee, from whom, and to what end and use thou didst receive them.