A call to the unconverted, to turn and live

IN that short acquaintance I had with that Reverend learned servant of Christ, Bishop Usher, he has often, from first to last, been 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 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 fi•ter for it than I was. But this did not satisfy 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 than 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 often came into my mind, and the great reverence I bore him, did the more incline me to think with some complacency of his motion. And having of late intended to write a ⟨p. iv⟩Family Directory, I began to apprehend how congruously the forementioned work should lead the way; and the several conditions of men's souls be spoken of, before we come to the several relations. Hereupon I resolved, by God's assistance, to proceed in in 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 persuasive was a more necessary means than mere directions. For directions suppose men willing to obey them: but the persons we have first to deal with, are wilful and fast asleep in sin, and as men that are past feeling, having given themselves over to sin with greediness, Eph. iv. 19. My next work must be for those that have some purposes to turn, and are about the work, •o direct for a thorough 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 established, built up and persevere. The forth part, Directions for lapsed and backsliding Christians, for their safe recovery. Besides these, there is intended some Persuasions and Directions against some special errors of he times, and against some common killing sins; as or directions to doubting troubled consciences, that s done already. And the strong I shall not write directions for, because they are so much taught in God already. And then the last part is intended more especially for Families; as such, directing the several Relations in their Duty; some of these are already written; whether I shall have life and leisure for the rest, God only knoweth. And therefore I 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