A26872:78
A Call to the Unconverted
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, 1658
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Doct. 1. IT is the unchangeable Law of God that wicked men must Turn or Die.
If you will believe God, believe this: There is but one of these two ways for every wicked man, either Conversion or Damnation. I know the wicked will hardly be persuaded either of the truth or Equity of this. No wonder if the Guilty quarrel with the Law. Few men are apt to believe that which they would not have to be true: And fewer would have that to be true which they apprehend to be against them. But it is not quarrelling with the Law, or with the Judge, that will save the Malefactor. Believing and regarding the Law might have prevented his death: but denying and accusing •t will but hasten it. If it were not ⟨p. 10⟩so, an hundred would bring their reasons against the Law, for one that would bring his reason to the Law: and men would rather choose to give their reasons why they should not be punished, then to hear the commands and reasons of their Governors which require them to obey. The Law was not made for you to Judge, but that you might be ruled and Judged by it.
If you will believe God, believe this: There is but one of these two wayes for every wicked man, either Conversion or Damnation. I know the wicked will hardly be perswaded either of the truth or Equity of this. No wonder if the Guilty quarrel with the Law. Few men are apt to believe that which they would not have to be true: And fewer would have that to be true which they apprehend to be against them. But it is not quarrelling with the Law, or with the Judge, that will save the Malefactor. Believing and regarding the Law might have prevented his death: but denying and accusing •t will but hasten it. If it were not ⟨p. 10⟩so, an hundred would bring their reasons against the Law, for one that would brind his reason to the Law: and men would rather choose to give their reasons why they should not be punished, then to hear the commands and reasons of their Governours which require them to obey. The Law was not made for you to Judge, but that you might be ruled and Judged by it.