A call to the unconverted, to turn and live

O what is the matter then that the hearts of sinners be not pierced with such a weighty truth? A man would think now that every unconverted soul that hears these words should be pricked to the heart, and think with themselves, this is my own case, and never be quiet till they found themselves converted. Believe it, fits, this drowsy careless temper will not last long. Conversion and Condemnation are both of them awakening things, and one of them will make you feel ere long, I can foretell it as truly as if I saw it with my eyes, that either grace or hell will shortly bring these matters to the quick, and make you say, What have I done? what a foolish wicked course have I taken? The ⟨p. 17⟩scornful and the stupid state of sinners will last but a little while; as soon as they either turn or die, the presumptuous dream will be at an end, and then their wits and feeling will return.

BUT I foresee there are two things that are like to harden the unconverted, and make me lose all my labour, except they can be taken out of the way; and that is the misunderstanding of those two words, (The wicked) and (Turn.) Some will think to themselves, it is true the wicked must turn or die; but what is that to me, I am not wicked, though I am a sinner, as all men be: Others will think, 'it is true that we must turn from our evil ways, but I am turned long ago, I hope this is not now to do.' And thus while wicked men think they are not wicked, but are already converted, we lose all our labour in persuading them to turn. I shall, therefore, before I go any farther, tell you here who are meant by the wicked; and who they be that must turn or die; and also what is meant by turning, and who they be that are truly converted: And this I have purposely reserved for this place, preferring the method that fits my end.

BUT I soresee there are two things that are like to harden the unconverted, and make me lose all my labour, except they can be taken out of the way; and that is the misunderstanding of those two words, (The wicked) and (Turn.) Some will think to themselves, it is true the wicked must turn or die; but what is that to me, I am not wicked, though I am a sinner, as all men be: Others will think, 'it is true that we must turn from our evil ways, but I am turned long ago, I hope this is not now to do.' And thus while wicked men think they are not wicked, but are already converted, we lose all our labour in persuading them to turn. I shall, therefore, before I go any farther, tell you here who are meant by the wicked; and who they be that must turn or die; and also what is meant by turning, and who they be that are truly converted: And this I have purposely reserved for this place, preferring the method that fits my end.