A Call to the Unconverted, Title page – Preface
A CALL TO THE Unconverted TO Turn and Live, AND Accept of Mercy while Mercy may be had, as ever they would find Mercy in the day of their extremity: From the Living God.
By his unworthy Servant RICHARD BAXTER.
To be Read in Families where any are Unconverted.
London, Printed by R. W. for Nevil Simmons Book-seller in Kederminster, and are to be sold by him there; and by Nathaniel Ekins, at the Gun in Pauls Church-Yard. 1658.
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 duplicate page duplicate page 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.
Rich. Baxter. Decemb. 10. 1657.