A

CALL

TO THE

⚫ UNCONVERTED,

то

TURN AND LIVE,

AND

Accept of Mercy while Mercy may be had,

AS EVER THEY WOULD FIND MERCY
IN THE DAY OF THEIR EXTREMITY,

THE

REASON OF THIS WORK.

IN

N that fhort acquaintance I had with that Reverend Learned Servant of Chrift, Bishop Ufher, he was oft from firft to laft importuning me to write a Directory for the feveral ranks of profeffed Chriftians, which might diftinctly give each one their portion; beginning with the Unconverted, and then proceeding to the Babes in Chrift, and then to the Strong, and mixing fome fpecial helps against the feveral fins that they are addicted to. By the fuddennefs of his motion at our first congrefs, I perceived it was on his mind before: and I told him, both that it was abundantly done by many already, and that his unacquaintedness with my weakness, might make him think me fitter for it than I was. But this did not fatisfy him, but ftill he made it his request. L confefs I was not moved by his reafons, nor did I apprehend any great need of doing more than is done in that way; nor that I was likely to do more: And therefore I parted from him without the leaft purpose to answer his defire. But fince his death, his words often came into my mind; and the great reverence I bore him, did the more incline me to think with fome complacency of his motion. And having of late intended to write a

A 2

Family

iv

Family Directory, I began to apprehend how congruously the fore-mentioned work fhould lead the way; and the feveral conditions of men's fouls be spoken of, before we come to the several relations. Hereupon I refolved, by God's affiftance, - to proceed in order following:

Firft, To speak to the Impenitent Unconverted Sinners, who are not yet fo much as purpofing to turn, or at leaft are not fetting about the work. And with these I thought a weakening perfuafive was a more neceffary means than mere directions. For directions fuppofe men willing to obey them: but the perfons that we have first to deal with, are wilful and asleep in fin, and as men that are paft feeling, having given themselves over to fin with greedinefs, Eph. iv. 19. My next work must be for those that have some purposes to turn, and are about the work, to direct them for a thorough and true converfion, that they mifcarry not in the birth. The third part must be directions for the younger and weaker fort of Chriftians, that they may be established, built up and perfevere. The fourth part, Directions for lapfed and back-fliding Chriftians, for their fafe recovery. Befides thefe, there is intended fome small Perfuafions and Directions against fome fpecial errors of the times, and against fome common killing fins; as for Directions to doubting troubled Confciences, that is done already. And the Strong I fhall not write Directions for, because they are fo much taught of God already. And then the ht part is intended more especially for Families; as fuch, directing the feveral Relations in their Duty; fome of thefe are already written: whether 1 fhall have life and leifure for the reft, God only knoweth. And therefore I fhall publish the feveral parts by themfelves, as I write them and

the

the rather because they are intended for men of different ftates, and because I would not deter them by the bulk or price, from reading what is written for their benefit.

The ufe that this part is published for is, 1. For Masters and Parents to read often in their families, if they have fervants or children that are yet Unconverted. 2. For all fuch Unconverted perfons to read and confider of themselves. 3. For the Richer fort, that have any pity on fuch miferable fouls, to give to the unfanctified that need them, (if they have not fitter at hand to ufe or give.).

The Lord awaken us to work while it is day, for the faving of our own and other's fouls, in fubferviency to the Bleffed God, the Maker, the Redeemer, and the-Sanctifier of Souls.