A call to the unconverted, to turn and live

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 ⟨p. v⟩not deter them by the bulk or price, from reading what is written for their benefit.

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 faft asleep in sin, and as men that are past feeling, having given themselves over to sin with greediness,