A SERIOUS CALL TO A DEVOUT AND HOLY LIFE; ADAPTED TO All Orders of Christians. BY REV. WILLIAM LAW, A. M. A NEW EDITION, CAREFULLY REVISED AND ABRIDGED "Behold I come quickly, and my reward is with me." Rev. xxii. 12. BOSTON: WILLIAM D. TICK NOR. Corner of Washington and School Streets. BV 4500 Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1835, by STEREOTYPED BY THOMAS G. WELLS & Co. BOSTO N. BOSTON: Printed by Lewis and Penniman, Bromfield Street EDITOR'S PREFACE. The reader is assured that no sentiments are expunged from this edition of the "Serious Call" but such as are repugnant to the views of the great bulk of Christians, or are redundant. In no case has any sentiment of the Editor been foisted into the book. It was not deemed proper to make great alterations in the diction, though in many respects this has necessarily been done to meet the present standard of taste. In the original work, though the author was an Episcopal minister, some of the prominent errors not only of Jacob Behmen, and Madame Guion, but of the Romish Church, constantly occur, beside many peculiarities which have never been adopted by any body of Christians, or perhaps by any other individual. The intrinsic excellence of a large part of the book has, however, notwithstanding these blemishes, kept it always in demand; eighteen editions having already been printed in this country, beside a still larger number in England. It seemed therefore to the Editor, and to many of his friends, highly important that an expurgated edition should be prepared. This has now been done, with all the care and pains of which the Editor is capable. It must be remembered by the reader, that this book is addressed to professed Christians. Hence it formed no part of the author's plan to exhibit the satisfaction of Christ, or the mode of conversion. These topics he |