Heaven Opened

Nothing is more precious to a believer than the promises of the covenant, but our knowledge of the riches of the covenant is impoverished. Richard Alleine (1611-1691), the brother of Joseph Alleine, here introduces us to that grandest of themes with these words: "Good news from heaven. The Lord God has made and established a covenant ... which, if you lay hold of it, will recover all you have lost, ransom you from death, redeem you from hell, and advance you to a more sure and blessed condition than the original state from which you had fallen." Here is grace displayed and heaven opened! As a preacher and pastor, Richard Alleine was greatly respected, and very well-known for his pious, practical writings.