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{The Application
Application for the Ungodly}
I will say a few words to the ungodly. Speak now, O you foolish sinners: Is godliness of God? Is Christianity of Christ or is it not? Is holiness the way of [eternal] life or can you hope to see [eternal] life without it? If you say holiness is not of God, and you will stand to it, produce your proof and bring out your strong reasons. Only I must tell you before you do conclude against it, that if you say anything, you will need to be sure that what you allege is something of weight for this is a matter of great importance.
Let your consciences speak, for to them I dare now appeal215—if you will forbear consulting with lust. Let your consciences speak and tell you whose voice this is: “See that you walk circumspectly” (Ephesians 5:15). “Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way that leads to life” (Matthew 7:14). “God has set apart him who is godly for Himself” (Psalm 4:3). “Follow holiness, without which no one will see God” (Hebrews 12:14). Speak, sinners, whose words are these? And what do Precisians say more or other than this? Dare you say concerning the way of life as it has been described to you: “If this is godliness, let me never see God. I will never see [eternal] life if this is the only way to it”?
But do your consciences tell you that this is of God and that this narrow and difficult way is the only way of life? If so, then oh, consider what it is that you have done. Who is it whom you have reproached? Do you still intend to hold your course, whether right or wrong, come life or come death?
Is there any among you whose heart smites him on the mouth and whispers in his ear, “Do you blaspheme God? Do you revile His servants? And will you still go on to pervert the good ways of the Lord?” Is there any among you that does ask, “What must I do to get into this way of life?” If you do so ask, listen to me while I give you the following directions.
Consider that I am now dealing with you about your entrance into a godly life. My present business is to help you over the threshold and get you through the narrow gate. You must first be Christians before you can follow Christ. You must enter into the narrow gate before you can walk on in the difficult way. Now if you ever wish to attain to the beginning of godliness, take this course:
215Dear reader: Alleine is doing nothing more than appealing to that knowledge of God that is within you and every inside human, but which sinners actively suppress.
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