Heaven Opened: The Riches of God's Covenant

Nothing is more precious to a believer than the promises of the covenant. 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 have fallen."

Richard Alleine (1611-1691) was the brother of the more famous Joseph Alleine, He ministered in the city of Batcomb for more than twenty years until he was ejected in 1662 for nonconformity. As a preacher and pastor, he was greatly respected and very well-known for his pious, practical writings. Though often in trouble with the authorities for continuing to preach after his suspension, his piety and goodness were so conspicuous that his enemies knew they would do more harm than good to their own cause by sending such a man to prison. After the passing of The Five Mile Act, which made it illegal for a nonconformist minister to come within five miles of a church or school, Richard Alleine moved to Froom Selwood, and preached privately there until his death on December 22, 1691