A Call to the Unconverted

The Reason of this Work.

IN that short acquaintance I had with that Reverend, Learned servant of Christ, Bishop Vsher, he was oft from first to last importuning me to write a directory for the several ranks of Professed Christians, which might distinctly give each one their portion: beginning with the Unconverted, and then proceeding to the babes in Christ, and then to the strong: and mixing some special helps against the several sins that they are addicted to. By the suddenness of his motion at our first congress, I perceived it was in his mind before: And I told him, both that it is abundantly done by many already; and that his unacquaintedness with my weakness, might make him think me fitter for it then I was. But this did not satisfie him, but still he made it his request. I confess I was not moved by his Reasons, nor did I apprehend any great need of doing more then is done in that way: nor that I was likely to do more. And therefore I parted from him without the least purpose to answer his desire. But since his death, his words oft came into my mind: and the great Reverence I bore to him, did the more incline me to think with some complacency of his motion. And having of late intended to write a Family Directory, I began to apprehend how congruously the forementioned work should lead the way; and the several conditions of mens souls be spoken of, before we come to the several Relations. Hereupon I resolved by Gods assistance to proceed in the order following. First, to speak to the impenitent Unconverted sinners, who are not yet so much as purposing to Turn, or at least are not setting about the work. And with these I thought a wakening Perswasive was a more necessary means then meer Directions. For Directions suppose men willing to obey them: but the persons that we have first to deal with, are wilful and asleep in sin, and as men that are past feeling, having given themselves over to sin with greediness, Ephes. 4.19. My next work must be for those that have some purposes to Turn and are about the work, to Direct them for a through and true Conversion, that they miscarry not in the birth. The third part must be Directions for the younger and weaker sort of Christians, that they may be stablished, built up, and persevere. The fourth part, Directions for lapsed and back-sliding Christians, for their safe recovery. Besides these there is intended some short Perswasives and Directions against some spec◊al errours of the times, and against some common killing sins. As for Directions to Doubting troubled Consciences, that is done already. And the strong I shall not write Directions for; because they are so much taught of God already. And then the last part is intended more specially for Families as such, Directing the several Relations in their Duties. Some of these are already written: whether I shall have life and leisure for the rest, God only knoweth. And therefore I shall publish the several parts by themselves, as I write them: and the rather, because they are intended for men of different states, and because I would not deter them by the bulk or price, from reading what is written for their benefit. The use that this part is published for, is 1. For Masters and Parents to read often in their Families, if they have servants or children that are yet unconverted. 2. For all such Unconverted persons to read and consider of themselves. 3. For the richer sort that have any pitty on such miserable souls, to give to the unsanctified that need them: (if they have not fitter at hand to use and give) The Lord awake us to work while it is day for the saving of our own and others souls, in subserviency to the Blessed God, the Maker, the Redeemer and the Sanctifier of souls.

To all unsanctified persons that shall read this Book; Especially of my Hearers in the Burrough and Parish of Kederminster.

Men and Brethren,

THE Eternal God that made you for a life Everlasting, and hath Redeemed you by his only Son, when you had lost it and your-selves, being mindful of you in your sin and misery, hath indited the Gospel and sealed it by his Spirit, and commanded his Ministers to preach it to the world, that pardon being 〈…〉 offered you, and Heaven b◊ing ◊ot before you, he might call you off from your fleshly pleasures, and from following after this deceitfull world, and acquaint you with the life that you were Created and Redeemed for, before you are dead and past remedy. He sendeth not you Prophets or Apostles, t◊at receive their message by immediate Revelation; but yet he calleth you by his ordinary Ministers, who are Commissioned by him to preach the same Gospel which Christ and his Apostles first delivered. The Lord standeth over you, and seeth how you forget him and your latter end, and how light you make of Everlasting things, as men that understand not what they have to do or suffer: He seeth how bold you are in sin, and how fearless of his threatnings, and how careless of your souls, and how the works of Infidels are in your lives, while the belief of Christians is in your mouths. He seeth the dreadful day at hand, when your sorrows will begin, and you must lament all this with fruitless cries in torment and desperation, and when the remembrance of your folly will tear your hearts, if true Conversion now prevent it not; in comparison of your sinful miserable souls, the Lord that better knows your case then you can know it, hath made it our duty to speak to you in his name, (2 Corinth. 5.19.) and to tell y◊u plainly of your sin and misery, and what will be your end, and how sad a change you'l shortly see, if yet you go on a little longer. Having bought you at so dear a rate as the blood of his Son Iesus Christ, and made you so free and general a promise of pardon, and grace, and everlasting glory, he commandeth as to tender all this to you, as the gift of God, and to intreate you to consider of the necessity and worth of what he offereth.