Sure Guide to Heaven:

A Sure Guide to Heaven by Joseph Alleine This book, which is a part of the well known Puritan Paperback series from Banner of Truth is very short (160 pages), but a very good read. It was first recommended to me by my buddy Joe. The original title of the book was "Alarm to the Unconverted," and I can easily say that that title is much more fitting. When looking at the title "A Sure Guide to Heaven," one could easily assume that Joseph Alleine wrote a book about assurance of salvation. Such an assumption couldn't be further from the truth. While reading "A Sure Guide to Heaven," the alarms were definitely going off. I could feel the urgings of the author to every reader to make sure they are truly saved. The basic dumbed down flow of the book could be said to be the following. 1) If these qualities are true of you, then you are probably a believer. 2) If these qualities are true of you, then you are probably not a believer. 3) This is how you become a believer. I love this book because of the fact that the author would have never acknowledged the simple idea of praying a prayer and asking Jesus into your heart. To him, the signs of obvious change in one's life have to be clear, evident, and visible. This thinking is shown in his chapter titled "The Marks of the Unconverted." He lists such qualities as "formality in religion," "the prevalence of wrong motives in holy duties," "trusting in their own righteousness," "the predominant love of the world," "unmortified pride," "the prevailing love of pleasure," and "carnal security" as distinguishing marks of a person who may think that he or she is saved, but may truly be a non-believer. At the same time though, he tends to put a very strong emphasis on grace. It is really unique. Later on in the book, he gives directions for conversion. His directions are a far cry to what we mostly hear in the Church today. For instance he says "Set it down with yourself as an undoubted truth, that it is impossible for you ever to get to heaven in this your unconverted state," "make a solemn choice of God for your portion and blessedness," "resign all your powers and faculties, and your whole interest to be His," and "choose the laws of Christ as the rule of your words, thoughts, and actions" among many other directions. Basically, this is a very long Gospel tract. Along those lines though, it is clear that this book would surely edify anybody who can truly call him or herself a believer in Christ. Therefore, I highly recommend Joseph Alleine's classic "A Sure Guide to Heaven." Be prepared to be challenged though, because it is not for the faint of heart.

Although I would not give this book to all my non-Christian friends, it could well be useful for those who are seeking Christ and are yet to make a commitment. For ministers, Alleine's book is an excellent example of someone who has poured out their heart to win souls for Christ. Alleine has used argument after argument coupled with impassioned pleas for the sinner to come to Christ. If only more of us were as alarmed as Alleine about the souls' of the unconverted.

Originally titled 'An Alarm To The Unconverted' Alleine's evangelistic treatise along with Richard Baxter's 'A Call To The Unconverted' are considered to be two of the greatest Puritan evangelistic works that God has been pleased to mightily use in the conversion of many. A 'Sure Guide ...' is also an extraordinary work on conversion(distinguishing between true and false conversion).A common theme in Puritan books and a much needed emphasis in the present day. The Puritans were master physicians when it came to diagnosing spiritual maladies.Chapters 1 and 4 'Mistakes About Conversion' and 'The Marks Of The Unconverted'attest to Joseph Alleine's thorough understanding of the Scriptures and of the deceitfulness of the human heart.He briefly but powerfully lays bare some of the common errors re-conversion:1.Trusting In Their Own Righteousness-certainly one of the pillars of deception that keep many from entering the Kingdom of God.2.The Predominant Love Of The World-Many profess to love Christ above all but there is an inordinate love of the world and nobody can serve two masters.3.Formality In Religion-Having a form of godliness(external only)but lacking the reality and power of true heart religion. Some may ask,how can books written more than 300 years ago have any relevance for this generation of believers.On p.113 Alleine writes "Will you have Christ in all His relations to be yours,your king ,your priest,your prophet?Will you have Him and bear His cross?" The Lordship salvation debate has been raging for the last 25 years.The Puritans without exception would contend that if you would have Christ as your saviour,you must submit to His Lordship(His offices cannot be divided). There is a high suicide rate in our generation(especially teen suicides).Men try to find the reasons for this and try and deal with the problem.In the chapter 'The Necessity Of Conversion' the author provides us with the root of the problem.Under the first heading'Without Conversion Your Being Is In Vain' he writes"It were better you had no being than not be for Him".Some who take their own lives do so because life has no meaning for them.Apart from being united to God through faith in Jesus Christ their reasoning is sound.There is no purpose to life if one lives as if God does not exist. A Sure Guide... some 300 years after its first printing can still be used mightily of the Lord to bring many from darkness into the Kingdom Of Light.May the Lord be pleased to continue to so use it.

This book should be required reading for all who call themselves Christians! Instead of the 4 Spiritual Laws, we should be reading this marvelous work be this great Puritan Evangel. In less than 150 pages Alleine walks us through what a true conversion consists of . Alleine tells us some of the mistakes about conversion, the nature of conversion. To me the best chapter is 4 where he gives us the Marks of the Unconverted. Upon reading this I found my soul deeply disturbed, as it was obvious that I was in an unconverted state, 25 years after praying to "receive Christ". I soon made a total surrender of my all to Christ, vowing to live a holy life before Him. He points out our lives, not our lips are the truest evidence of a saving faith. He closes by showing us how to be converted, that the gates of Heaven and Mercy are thrown open to us, and the Savior waits to embrace all who will accept as LORD of all they do. When I get to heaven after I first embrace the savior, I will search out Joseph Allenie.