A discourse concerning zeal against immorality and prophaness deliver'd in two sermons in St. Michaels Church Dublin, October 29, and November 26. 1699.
         Hamilton, William, d. 1729.
      
       
         
           1700
        
      
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             A discourse concerning zeal against immorality and prophaness deliver'd in two sermons in St. Michaels Church Dublin, October 29, and November 26. 1699.
             Hamilton, William, d. 1729.
          
           [4], 63, [1] p.
           
             printed by Joseph Ray in Skinner-Row, for Jacob Milner bookseller in Essex-Street,
             Dublin :
             1700.
          
           
             Preface signed: William Hamilton.
             Errata at foot of p. 63.
             Reproduction of the original in Dr. Williams' Library, London.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Sermons, Irish -- 17th century.
           Immorality -- Early works to 1800.
           Blasphemy -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           DISCOURSE
           CONCERNING
           ZEAL
           ,
           AGAINST
           Immorality
           and
           Prophaness
           Deliver'd
           in
           Two
           SERMONS
           IN
           St.
           Michaels
           Church
           
             DVBLIN
             ,
             October
          
           29
           ,
           and
           November
           26.
           1699.
           
        
         
           DUBLIN
           ,
           Printed
           by
           
             Joseph
             Ray
          
           in
           Skinner-Row
           ,
           for
           
             Jacob
             Milner
          
           Bookseller
           in
           Essex-Street
           ,
           1700.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           TO
           THE
           SOCIETIES
           FOR
           REFORMATION
           of
           MANNERS
           .
        
         
           I
           Consented
           the
           more
           readily
           to
           Publish
           the
           following
           Discourse
           ,
           least
           I
           might
           be
           suspected
           as
           wanting
           that
           Zeal
           my self
           ,
           which
           I
           Recommended
           to
           others
           ,
           and
           as
           Afraid
           of
           those
           Censures
           ,
           which
           I
           Exhorted
           you
           to
           Despise
           .
           Since
           therefore
           you
           think
           the
           Publication
           of
           it
           ,
           may
           do
           some
           Service
           to
           Religion
           ,
           and
           Promote
           that
           Excellent
           Undertaking
           ,
           wherein
           you
           have
           engag'd
           your selves
           ;
           I
           do
           willingly
           put
           it
           into
           your
           Hands
           ,
           without
           making
           any
           Apology
           for
           those
           Defects
           ,
           which
           may
           render
           it
           lyable
           to
           Exceptions
           :
           For
           True
           Zeal
           Studies
           to
           do
           Good
           ,
           rather
           than
           to
           
           Please
           ;
           To
           Improve
           Men
           in
           Piety
           ,
           not
           to
           Gratifie
           a
           Vain
           Curiosity
           .
           Plain
           Dealing
           is
           a
           Part
           of
           its
           Character
           ,
           and
           it
           boldly
           tells
           Men
           necessary
           (
           tho
           often
           disobliging
           )
           Truths
           ,
           being
           more
           concern'd
           that
           the
           Food
           it
           gives
           ,
           be
           Wholesome
           and
           Nourishing
           ,
           than
           Drest
           up
           with
           great
           Nicety
           and
           Art.
           
        
         
           That
           GOD
           wou'd
           Strengthen
           and
           Improve
           your
           Zeal
           ,
           and
           add
           to
           your
           Numbers
           many
           more
           
             Zealously
             Affected
             in
             all
             good
             things
          
           :
           That
           he
           wou'd
           Bless
           your
           Endeavours
           ,
           against
           Vice
           and
           Prophaness
           with
           Success
           ,
           and
           make
           You
           happy
           Instruments
           of
           Advancing
           and
           Establishing
           a
           General
           Reformation
           of
           Manners
           ,
           and
           at
           last
           Reward
           your
           Piety
           and
           Zeal
           ,
           with
           the
           Glories
           and
           Happiness
           of
           Heaven
           :
           Is
           with
           great
           Sincerity
           Pray'd
           for
           ,
           by
        
         
           
             Your
             Faithful
             and
             Affectionate
             Servant
             
               William
               Hamilton
            
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           
             
               Gal.
               IV.
               xviii
               .
            
             
               It
               is
               good
               to
               be
               zealously
               affected
               always
               in
               a
               good
               thing
               .
            
          
        
         
           THE
           Two
           great
           Extremes
           in
           Religion
           opposite
           to
           the
           genuine
           Spirit
           of
           Christianity
           and
           equally
           destructive
           of
           it
           ,
           are
           a
           
             Cold
             Indifference
          
           on
           the
           one
           hand
           ;
           on
           the
           other
           ,
           an
           
             Intemperate
             Zeal
          
           .
           This
           Transports
           a
           Man
           beyond
           all
           bounds
           of
           Sobriety
           and
           Prudence
           ;
           and
           where
           the
           other
           prevails
           that
           Life
           and
           Fervour
           must
           be
           wanting
           ,
           without
           which
           we
           can
           neither
           be
           good
           Christians
           our selves
           ,
           nor
           successful
           Instruments
           in
           making
           others
           so
           .
        
         
           So
           that
           it
           is
           in
           the
           Moral
           as
           in
           the
           Natural
           World
           ,
           wherein
           there
           are
           violent
           Degrees
           both
           of
           Heat
           and
           Cold
           ,
           there
           are
           Regions
           continually
           expos'd
           to
           the
           Suns
           hottest
           Rays
           ,
           there
           are
           others
           under
           the
           constant
           power
           of
           Ice
           and
           Snow
           ;
           in
           the
           one
           you
           Freeze
           ,
           you
           are
           Scorch'd
           in
           the
           other
           .
        
         
           But
           still
           betwixt
           these
           Extremes
           ,
           lye
           Temperate
           Climates
           ,
           where
           Cold
           and
           Heat
           are
           regularly
           divided
           ,
           where
           there
           's
           enough
           of
           each
           to
           answer
           the
           Necessities
           of
           Nature
           ,
           and
           Ends
           of
           Creation
           .
           Thus
           it
           is
           ,
           thus
           it
           ought
           to
           be
           in
           Religion
           ,
           we
           are
           to
           choose
           a
           middle
           way
           betwixt
           the
           Lethargy
           of
           the
           Careless
           ,
           and
           Violence
           of
           the
           Zealot
           .
           A
           Religious
           warmth
           shou'd
           actuate
           our
           Spirits
           ,
           but
           no
           Wild-Fire
           shou'd
           inflame
           them
           .
           We
           shou'd
           have
           a
           hearty
           concern
           for
           the
           Honour
           of
           GOD
           ,
           and
           the
           Promotion
           of
           Piety
           ,
           and
           an
           equal
           abhorrence
           of
           Prophaness
           and
           Vice
           ,
           but
           then
           Modesty
           and
           Humility
           ,
           Sincerity
           and
           Prudence
           ,
           shou'd
           still
           accompany
           our
           Zeal
           .
           It
           shou'd
           be
           Peaceable
           and
           Impartial
           ;
           its
           
           End
           manifestly
           good
           ,
           its
           manner
           of
           Acting
           Regular
           and
           Legal
           :
           And
           then
           it
           wou'd
           be
           such
           Zeal
           as
           St.
           Paul
           recommends
           to
           us
           ,
           
             It
             is
             good
             to
             be
             Zealously
             Affected
             always
             in
             a
             good
             thing
             .
          
        
         
           Zeal
           in
           the
           general
           acceptation
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           signifies
           such
           a
           fervent
           emotion
           of
           our
           Spirits
           ,
           such
           an
           inflammation
           of
           our
           Passions
           and
           Affections
           ,
           as
           makes
           us
           pressing
           and
           earnest
           ,
           in
           the
           pursuit
           of
           any
           undertaking
           ,
           together
           with
           some
           degree
           of
           Trouble
           and
           Impatience
           ,
           at
           our
           being
           oppos'd
           in
           our
           Designs
           ,
           and
           obstructed
           in
           the
           attainment
           of
           them
           .
           Whatever
           we
           vigorously
           contend
           for
           ,
           and
           prosecute
           with
           a
           strong
           endeavour
           ,
           for
           that
           thing
           we
           may
           be
           said
           to
           be
           Zealous
           .
        
         
           Zeal
           then
           resides
           in
           the
           Affections
           ,
           and
           has
           its
           sway
           over
           them
           ;
           and
           indeed
           whenever
           we
           are
           
             Zealously
             Affected
          
           ,
           all
           our
           Passions
           and
           Affections
           have
           new
           Heat
           and
           Vigour
           infus'd
           into
           them
           ,
           and
           they
           become
           more
           strong
           and
           lively
           than
           before
           .
        
         
           Our
           Love
           fixes
           on
           the
           Object
           of
           our
           Zeal
           ,
           and
           we
           grasp
           it
           with
           a
           powerful
           bent
           of
           desire
           ,
           and
           Zeal
           excites
           our
           passion
           of
           Hatred
           ,
           against
           whatever
           is
           contrary
           to
           the
           thing
           we
           Love.
           Zeal
           enlivens
           our
           hopes
           with
           the
           flattering
           expectations
           of
           success
           ,
           but
           sometimes
           dejects
           our
           Spirits
           ,
           with
           the
           apprehensions
           of
           disappointment
           .
           Great
           Joy
           attends
           a
           Prosperous
           Zeal
           ,
           and
           't
           is
           hard
           not
           to
           be
           griev'd
           ,
           when
           we
           are
           Zealous
           in
           vain
           .
        
         
           So
           that
           Zeal
           is
           strictly
           nothing
           else
           ,
           but
           a
           very
           strong
           and
           active
           warmth
           of
           the
           two
           prevailing
           Passions
           of
           Love
           and
           Hatred
           :
           of
           Love
           towards
           what
           appears
           Good
           and
           Excellent
           :
           Of
           Hatred
           against
           what
           we
           judge
           Evil
           and
           Dangerous
           ;
           all
           our
           other
           Passions
           and
           Affections
           ;
           Fears
           and
           Hopes
           ;
           Joy
           and
           Grief
           being
           consequent
           upon
           these
           .
        
         
           Thus
           for
           Example
           .
           Do
           we
           passionately
           Love
           GOD
           ,
           and
           Burn
           with
           some
           degree
           of
           Angels
           Fire
           ?
           Does
           he
           possess
           the
           Chief
           Empire
           of
           our
           Hearts
           and
           Minds
           ;
           and
           do
           we
           suffer
           nothing
           to
           out-Rival
           him
           in
           our
           Affections
           ?
           The
           consequence
           of
           this
           must
           be
           ,
           that
           with
           great
           industry
           and
           application
           we
           propagate
           his
           Service
           ,
           and
           earnestly
           contend
           for
           his
           Glory
           ;
           That
           we
           make
           it
           the
           constant
           matter
           of
           our
           Study
           and
           Prayers
           ,
           to
           engage
           others
           to
           Love
           his
           Name
           and
           Obey
           his
           Laws
           .
           That
           our
           most
           sensible
           
           Grief
           shall
           be
           the
           effect
           of
           seeing
           him
           Dishonour'd
           ,
           our
           greatest
           Joy
           ,
           of
           seeing
           Religion
           Prosper
           .
           And
           thus
           we
           may
           be
           said
           to
           be
           
             Zealously
             Affected
          
           towards
           GOD.
           
        
         
           Again
           ,
           do
           we
           hate
           and
           abhor
           Sin
           with
           the
           same
           degree
           of
           Passion
           ,
           wherewith
           we
           love
           GOD
           ?
           Do
           we
           see
           something
           in
           it
           contrary
           to
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           ;
           to
           Infinite
           Purity
           ,
           Justice
           and
           Goodness
           ,
           as
           also
           to
           our
           own
           reason
           and
           Happiness
           ?
           Then
           we
           must
           needs
           labour
           to
           destroy
           it
           as
           a
           common
           Enemy
           ;
           and
           cannot
           but
           mightily
           Rejoyce
           ,
           when
           we
           do
           it
           with
           any
           Success
           .
           And
           so
           we
           are
           
             Zealously
             Affected
          
           against
           Sin.
           
        
         
           I
           own
           the
           Word
           Zeal
           is
           frequently
           in
           Scripture
           taken
           in
           a
           bad
           sence
           ;
           Emulations
           [
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ]
           are
           by
           St.
           Paul
           reckon'd
           among
           
             the
             works
             of
             the
             Flesh
          
           ,
           Gal.
           5.20
           .
           And
           St.
           James
           cautions
           us
           against
           [
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ]
           
             Bitter
             Envying
          
           ,
           or
           Zeal
           .
           Ja.
           3.14
           .
           And
           indeed
           it
           is
           the
           Object
           of
           our
           Zeal
           together
           with
           its
           manner
           of
           acting
           ,
           that
           renders
           it
           either
           Vertuous
           or
           Unlawful
           ,
           a
           Duty
           or
           a
           Sin.
           
        
         
           If
           we
           envy
           our
           Neighbours
           Happiness
           ,
           are
           uneasie
           at
           his
           Prosperity
           ,
           and
           pleas'd
           with
           his
           Misfortunes
           :
           Then
           is
           our
           Zeal
           highly
           Wicked
           ,
           it
           is
           the
           prevailing
           Quality
           ,
           the
           very
           Essence
           of
           the
           Devil
           .
           But
           if
           our
           Zeal
           fixes
           upon
           a
           right
           Object
           ,
           proposes
           as
           its
           end
           something
           morally
           good
           ;
           and
           prosecutes
           that
           end
           by
           fair
           justifiable
           Methods
           :
           Then
           is
           it
           a
           Commendable
           and
           Christian
           Zeal
           .
        
         
           But
           now
           to
           render
           our
           Zeal
           truly
           such
           ,
           these
           two
           Qualifications
           are
           necessary
           :
           That
           it
           be
           constant
           and
           lasting
           ;
           and
           that
           it
           be
           employed
           in
           a
           good
           thing
           .
        
         
           I.
           Our
           Zeal
           must
           be
           constant
           and
           lasting
           .
           It
           is
           good
           to
           be
           Zealously
           Affected
           always
           .
           True
           Zeal
           is
           no
           sudden
           Heat
           ,
           no
           violent
           Transport
           ,
           nor
           gust
           of
           Passion
           ,
           which
           is
           vehement
           for
           a
           while
           but
           soon
           blows
           over
           ;
           but
           is
           a
           constant
           Religious
           frame
           of
           Mind
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           it
           is
           not
           always
           upon
           the
           stretch
           ,
           nor
           acts
           to
           the
           utmost
           of
           its
           force
           ,
           yet
           is
           it
           habitually
           dispos'd
           to
           it
           .
           Like
           Fire
           it
           is
           ever
           moving
           ,
           yet
           burns
           not
           still
           alike
           ,
           but
           is
           sometimes
           blown
           up
           into
           a
           Flame
           .
        
         
           But
           that
           which
           in
           the
           Second
           place
           Consecrates
           our
           Zeal
           ,
           and
           renders
           it
           such
           as
           St.
           
           Paul's
           was
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           he
           proposes
           to
           us
           as
           excellent
           and
           necessary
           ,
           is
           the
           goodness
           of
           its
           Object
           .
           
             It
             is
             good
             to
             be
             Zealously
             Affected
             always
             ,
          
           provided
           
             it
             be
             in
             a
             good
             thing
             .
          
           
           
           
           
           
           For
           the
           more
           intense
           our
           Zeal
           is
           ,
           the
           greater
           mischief
           it
           does
           ,
           if
           we
           mistake
           in
           the
           Object
           of
           it
           :
           As
           the
           sharper
           the
           Weapon
           ,
           and
           the
           more
           violent
           the
           Blow
           ,
           the
           deeper
           ,
           the
           more
           dangerous
           must
           be
           the
           Wound
           .
           And
           both
           Sacred
           and
           Prophane
           History
           afford
           us
           many
           melancholly
           instances
           of
           the
           dismal
           effects
           of
           a
           
             Misguided
             Zeal
          
           ,
           which
           being
           mistaken
           in
           its
           Object
           ,
           and
           over
           violent
           in
           its
           degree
           ,
           has
           prov'd
           fatal
           to
           Religion
           ,
           and
           set
           the
           World
           on
           Fire
           .
        
         
           But
           now
           since
           the
           case
           is
           so
           ,
           since
           Zeal
           which
           is
           not
           determin'd
           to
           a
           right
           Object
           is
           generally
           hurtful
           and
           always
           vain
           ;
           the
           great
           Question
           is
           ,
           what
           is
           the
           proper
           Object
           of
           Religious
           Zeal
           ,
           and
           what
           is
           
             that
             good
             thing
             wherein
             it
             is
             good
             to
             be
             always
             Zealously
             Affected
          
           ?
        
         
           This
           is
           on
           all
           hands
           allow'd
           to
           be
           that
           (
           what
           ever
           that
           particularly
           may
           be
           )
           whereby
           the
           Glory
           of
           God
           is
           Promoted
           ,
           Religion
           Strengthen'd
           ,
           the
           good
           of
           others
           and
           our
           own
           Salvation
           Advanc'd
           and
           Secur'd
           .
        
         
           So
           far
           there
           is
           no
           Controversie
           ,
           and
           all
           persuasions
           agree
           .
           But
           the
           misery
           is
           ,
           when
           Men
           come
           to
           enter
           upon
           Particulars
           ,
           their
           Zeal
           is
           for
           the
           most
           part
           confin'd
           to
           the
           interest
           and
           opinions
           of
           a
           Party
           ,
           to
           things
           of
           smaller
           Concernment
           and
           Importance
           ,
           to
           the
           externals
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           modes
           Worship
           ,
           things
           wherein
           Men
           never
           did
           ,
           nor
           ever
           will
           agree
           .
           And
           while
           they
           nicely
           dispute
           and
           eagerly
           contend
           about
           these
           ,
           they
           too
           often
           overlook
           
             The
             weightier
             Matters
             of
             the
             Law
             ,
             Judgment
             ,
             Mercy
             ,
             and
             Faith.
          
           The
           Life
           of
           Religion
           ,
           Piety
           and
           Virtue
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           very
           true
           ,
           that
           nothing
           in
           Religion
           shou'd
           be
           esteem'd
           little
           or
           inconsiderable
           ;
           if
           it
           belongs
           to
           Religion
           at
           all
           it
           must
           be
           of
           moment
           and
           challenges
           our
           regard
           .
           Yet
           it
           will
           be
           easily
           acknowledg'd
           ,
           that
           some
           things
           of
           greater
           necessity
           than
           others
           ,
           and
           tho
           nothing
           is
           small
           enough
           to
           fall
           below
           our
           notice
           ,
           yet
           what
           is
           of
           greatest
           Weight
           deserves
           our
           first
           and
           greatest
           Zeal
           ;
           and
           as
           our
           Saviour
           speaks
           in
           a
           Parallel
           case
           ,
           
             the
             one
             we
             shou'd
             be
             sure
             to
             do
             ,
             yet
             so
             as
             not
             to
             leave
             the
             other
             undone
             .
          
           Mat.
           23.23
           .
        
         
           Those
           things
           therefore
           which
           the
           Natural
           Reason
           of
           Mankind
           approves
           ,
           &
           all
           the
           differing
           Parties
           of
           Christians
           agree
           in
           as
           good
           
           and
           excellent
           ,
           those
           are
           undoubtedly
           the
           fittest
           Objects
           of
           a
           Christian's
           Zeal
           ,
           and
           the
           
             good
             things
          
           wherein
           we
           ought
           to
           be
           most
           
             Zealously
             Affected
          
           .
           Such
           are
           the
           great
           and
           substantial
           Parts
           of
           our
           Duty
           to
           GOD
           and
           our
           Neighbour
           ,
           the
           constant
           exercise
           of
           Piety
           and
           Devotion
           towards
           the
           one
           ,
           of
           Justice
           ,
           and
           Charity
           towards
           the
           other
           :
           The
           attainment
           of
           the
           particular
           Virtues
           of
           the
           
             Christian
             Life
          
           ;
           such
           as
           
             Humility
             ,
             Meekness
             ,
             Patience
             ,
             Self-denyal
             ,
          
           and
           the
           like
           ;
           and
           promoting
           as
           effectually
           as
           we
           can
           the
           Practice
           of
           them
           in
           others
           .
           And
           such
           likewise
           in
           a
           particular
           manner
           are
           ,
           suppressing
           publick
           and
           scandalous
           Immoralities
           ,
           and
           restraining
           the
           progress
           of
           Vice
           ,
           by
           a
           just
           Execution
           of
           our
           Laws
           against
           it
           ,
           stemming
           the
           Torrent
           of
           Impiety
           and
           Prophaness
           ,
           and
           correcting
           Lewd
           and
           Disorderly
           Practices
           .
           Zeal
           that
           is
           employ'd
           in
           such
           things
           as
           these
           is
           truly
           Glorious
           ,
           
             and
             it
             is
             good
             to
             be
             Zealously
             Affected
             always
             in
             them
          
           :
           It
           is
           good
           to
           be
           active
           and
           industrious
           ,
           constant
           and
           indefatigable
           ,
           in
           so
           Divine
           a
           Service
           ;
           a
           Service
           that
           has
           all
           the
           Encouragements
           of
           Earth
           and
           Heaven
           ,
           to
           invite
           us
           to
           it
           ;
           intitles
           us
           here
           to
           GOD's
           particular
           Grace
           and
           Favour
           ,
           and
           to
           extraordinary
           degrees
           of
           Glory
           hereafter
           .
        
         
           This
           
             my
             Brethren
          
           is
           the
           good
           thing
           wherein
           you
           have
           been
           ,
           and
           I
           hope
           still
           are
           so
           
             Zealously
             Affected
          
           .
           You
           have
           
             stood
             in
             the
             Gap
          
           ,
           and
           oppos'd
           that
           Flood
           of
           Wickedness
           ,
           which
           not
           long
           since
           ,
           had
           almost
           overwhelm'd
           us
           .
           You
           have
           in
           some
           measure
           check'd
           those
           Crimes
           ,
           which
           heretofore
           were
           publickly
           committed
           ,
           with
           Impunity
           ,
           and
           without
           shame
           .
           Your
           Endeavours
           and
           Examples
           have
           gain'd
           many
           Proselites
           to
           Piety
           ,
           which
           after
           long
           languishing
           ,
           begins
           to
           recover
           both
           Strength
           and
           Courage
           ;
           and
           to
           shine
           forth
           like
           that
           
             Great
             Light
             which
             rules
          
           and
           makes
           
             the
             Day
          
           ;
           tho
           like
           the
           same
           Sun
           ,
           its
           Brightness
           is
           sometimes
           obscur'd
           by
           Clouds
           :
           Its
           Branches
           are
           adorn'd
           with
           very
           fair
           Blossoms
           ,
           which
           promise
           a
           plentiful
           Stock
           of
           excellent
           Fruit.
           You
           have
           engag'd
           in
           a
           Service
           acceptable
           to
           good
           Men
           ,
           and
           (
           what
           is
           infinitely
           more
           valuable
           )
           pleasing
           to
           GOD
           himself
           ,
           and
           you
           may
           be
           assur'd
           ,
           you
           shall
           never
           want
           their
           Prayers
           ,
           nor
           his
           Blessing
           .
           A
           Service
           so
           Heavenly
           ,
           that
           it
           renders
           the
           meanest
           concern'd
           in
           it
           truly
           Honourable
           ,
           and
           adds
           more
           than
           a
           Title
           ,
           an
           Estate
           or
           even
           a
           Crown
           ,
           to
           
           the
           lustre
           and
           dignity
           of
           the
           Greatest
           .
           A
           Service
           which
           we
           are
           all
           oblig'd
           to
           encourage
           and
           promote
           ,
           according
           to
           our
           different
           Capacities
           and
           Conditions
           ;
           if
           we
           are
           Ministers
           ,
           by
           earnest
           Exhortations
           and
           good
           Example
           :
           If
           Magistrates
           ,
           by
           a
           just
           and
           impartial
           exercise
           of
           our
           Authority
           :
           And
           if
           we
           are
           but
           Christians
           ,
           we
           may
           be
           useful
           to
           it
           ,
           by
           the
           sincerity
           and
           constancy
           of
           our
           Prayers
           .
        
         
           Now
           the
           First
           of
           these
           is
           ,
           what
           at
           present
           my
           Office
           and
           your
           Desires
           oblige
           me
           to
           Perform
           .
           I
           shall
           therefore
           testifie
           
             my
             own
             Zeal
          
           ,
           to
           the
           great
           Work
           you
           have
           taken
           in
           hand
           ,
           by
           offering
           the
           best
           Motives
           I
           am
           able
           to
           Excite
           and
           Confirm
           yours
           :
           That
           so
           your
           Zeal
           may
           never
           languish
           ,
           nor
           your
           Affections
           to
           your
           Masters
           service
           abate
           and
           cool
           :
           But
           that
           this
           Heavenly
           Flame
           of
           
             True
             Zeal
          
           may
           Burn
           Brighter
           and
           Stronger
           in
           your
           Souls
           to
           the
           last
           ;
           may
           in
           the
           Evening
           of
           Life
           maintain
           its
           Noon-Day
           Vigour
           ,
           until
           with
           the
           Spirits
           wherein
           it
           dwelt
           ,
           it
           be
           Translated
           to
           the
           other
           World
           ,
           and
           from
           the
           Zeal
           of
           Men
           ,
           be
           refin'd
           to
           that
           of
           Angels
           :
           That
           so
           likewise
           ,
           unreasonable
           Calumnies
           and
           Censures
           may
           never
           divert
           you
           from
           your
           Noble
           Resolutions
           ,
           but
           that
           you
           may
           become
           more
           Fixed
           ,
           Couragious
           ,
           and
           Undaunted
           ,
           in
           advancing
           Piety
           and
           suppressing
           Vice
           ;
           more
           earnest
           in
           your
           Prayers
           to
           GOD
           ,
           to
           keep
           you
           stedfast
           and
           firm
           to
           your
           good
           purposes
           ,
           and
           to
           bless
           your
           Endeavours
           with
           success
           .
        
         
           And
           tho
           I
           can
           say
           little
           upon
           this
           Argument
           but
           what
           you
           have
           already
           heard
           ,
           and
           know
           ;
           yet
           I
           hope
           to
           be
           at
           least
           your
           Remembrancer
           ,
           if
           not
           your
           
             Instructor
             ,
             to
             put
             you
             in
             remembrance
             of
             these
             things
             ,
             tho
             you
             know
             them
             ,
             and
             be
             establish'd
             in
             the
             present
             Truth
             .
          
           2
           Pet.
           1.12
           .
        
         
           In
           order
           to
           which
           I
           purpose
           to
           do
           Four
           Things
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           To
           enquire
           what
           those
           particular
           Sins
           are
           ,
           in
           suppressing
           of
           which
           we
           ought
           to
           be
           most
           
             Zealously
             Affected
          
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           To
           consider
           who
           are
           principally
           oblig'd
           ,
           and
           concern'd
           to
           be
           
             Zealously
             Affected
          
           ,
           against
           those
           dangerous
           Sins
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           To
           point
           out
           some
           of
           those
           ways
           ,
           wherein
           we
           may
           most
           usefully
           employ
           and
           shew
           our
           Zeal
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           attain
           its
           excellent
           End.
           And
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           To
           offer
           such
           Motives
           ,
           as
           may
           best
           excite
           and
           confirm
           
           our
           Zeal
           ,
           that
           
             so
             we
             may
             be
             Zealously
             Affected
             always
          
           in
           that
           
             good
             thing
          
           about
           which
           we
           ought
           to
           be
           engag'd
           .
        
         
           I.
           I
           am
           to
           enquire
           what
           those
           particular
           Sins
           are
           in
           suppressing
           of
           which
           we
           ought
           to
           be
           most
           
             Zealously
             Affected
          
           .
        
         
           It
           has
           already
           been
           observ'd
           in
           general
           ,
           that
           promoting
           our
           known
           Duty
           ,
           
             undisputed
             Piety
             and
             Virtue
          
           ,
           is
           the
           best
           thing
           wherein
           we
           can
           be
           
             Zealously
             Affected
          
           .
           For
           these
           are
           the
           Essentials
           of
           Religion
           ,
           without
           which
           no
           other
           priviliges
           we
           can
           enjoy
           or
           boast
           of
           ,
           will
           be
           of
           any
           advantage
           to
           us
           .
           Now
           this
           will
           be
           most
           happily
           effected
           ,
           by
           suppressing
           those
           Vices
           and
           Impieties
           ,
           which
           more
           directly
           dishonour
           GOD
           ,
           and
           weaken
           Religion
           ;
           and
           such
           undoubtedly
           are
           
             Blasphemous
             Oaths
             and
             Curses
             ,
             Prophaning
             the
             Lords
             Day
             ,
          
           either
           by
           our
           Ordinary
           Labours
           ,
           or
           Scandalous
           Diversions
           ;
           together
           with
           the
           Brutal
           Vices
           of
           Intemperance
           and
           Lewdness
           .
        
         
           Now
           we
           ought
           to
           be
           more
           
             Zealously
             Affected
          
           against
           these
           ,
           than
           other
           Sins
           ,
           because
           they
           are
           more
           destructive
           Enemies
           to
           Piety
           ;
           there
           's
           more
           of
           Leprosie
           and
           Infection
           in
           them
           ,
           and
           they
           are
           attended
           with
           more
           Fatal
           Consequences
           :
           Other
           Sins
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           which
           being
           more
           private
           and
           unobserv'd
           ,
           draw
           not
           such
           a
           Train
           of
           Mischiefs
           after
           them
           .
        
         
           The
           first
           Sin
           then
           ,
           against
           which
           
             it
             is
             a
             good
             thing
             to
             be
             Zealously
             Affected
             ,
          
           is
           
             Prophane
             Cursing
             and
             Swearing
          
           .
        
         
           That
           horrid
           Sin
           ,
           which
           Dares
           Omnipotence
           ,
           and
           Mocks
           avenging
           Justice
           ,
           which
           affronts
           GOD
           out
           of
           Diversion
           ,
           and
           Plays
           with
           his
           Thunder
           and
           Lightning
           .
           That
           Sin
           ,
           which
           strikes
           at
           the
           Foundations
           of
           Religion
           ,
           by
           involving
           Men
           in
           frequent
           Perjuries
           ,
           and
           taking
           off
           all
           Reverence
           for
           an
           Oath
           .
           That
           Sin
           ,
           which
           hurries
           daily
           many
           Souls
           to
           Hell
           ,
           and
           is
           the
           fearful
           of
           Language
           of
           that
           place
           of
           Impiety
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Torment
           ;
           and
           where
           the
           Damn'd
           at
           once
           
             Gnaw
             their
             Tongues
             for
             Pain
             ,
             and
             Blaspheam
             the
             GOD
             of
             Heaven
             .
          
           That
           Sin
           I
           say
           ,
           shou'd
           surely
           stir
           up
           the
           Indignation
           and
           Zeal
           of
           all
           those
           who
           have
           any
           Honour
           ,
           any
           Love
           for
           GOD
           or
           Religion
           to
           punish
           ,
           to
           destroy
           it
           ;
           so
           effectually
           to
           suppress
           it
           ,
           that
           it
           never
           may
           again
           Triumph
           in
           our
           Streets
           .
        
         
           The
           misplac'd
           Devotion
           of
           the
           Athenians
           ,
           inflam'd
           St.
           
           Paul's
           Zeal
           :
           He
           was
           fill'd
           with
           various
           Passions
           of
           Anger
           ,
           of
           Pity
           ,
           
           and
           of
           Grief
           ,
           
             to
             see
             the
             City
             wholly
             given
             to
             Idolatry
          
           ;
           He
           Argued
           ,
           he
           Contended
           with
           their
           greatest
           Philosophers
           ,
           and
           even
           hazarded
           his
           Life
           to
           Convert
           them
           .
        
         
           And
           shou'd
           not
           our
           Spirits
           be
           moved
           within
           us
           ,
           to
           hear
           the
           Venerable
           Name
           of
           the
           True
           GOD
           ,
           Impiously
           Prophan'd
           ,
           and
           Ridiculously
           Invok'd
           ;
           and
           that
           not
           by
           Ignorant
           Heathens
           ,
           but
           Pretended
           Christians
           ?
           by
           those
           who
           while
           they
           usurp
           that
           Sacred
           Title
           .
           
             Are
             not
             only
             far
             from
             GOD
             in
             their
             Hearts
             ,
             but
             with
             their
             very
             Lips
             Dishonour
             him
          
           ?
        
         
           It
           must
           needs
           therefore
           be
           a
           good
           thing
           to
           be
           Zealously
           Affected
           ,
           against
           this
           prevailing
           Sin
           ;
           to
           Vindicate
           GOD's
           Honour
           ,
           and
           bring
           those
           who
           Prophane
           his
           Name
           to
           Punishment
           .
        
         
           A
           Second
           Sin
           against
           which
           ,
           
             it
             is
             a
             good
             thing
             to
             be
             Zealously
             Affected
             ,
             is
             the
             Violation
             of
             the
             Lords-Day
             ,
          
           that
           Day
           which
           is
           Dedicated
           to
           the
           Worship
           and
           Service
           of
           GOD.
           
        
         
           The
           Prophanation
           of
           the
           Lords-Day
           ,
           has
           so
           fatal
           an
           influence
           on
           Religion
           ,
           and
           tends
           so
           naturally
           to
           deface
           it
           ,
           that
           they
           who
           are
           
             Zealously
             Affected
          
           for
           the
           one
           ,
           must
           have
           a
           tender
           regard
           for
           the
           other
           .
           For
           the
           concerns
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           do
           so
           steal
           upon
           Mens
           Minds
           ,
           so
           charm
           and
           bewitch
           them
           ,
           that
           did
           not
           the
           constant
           returns
           of
           the
           Lords-Day
           relax
           their
           Thoughts
           ,
           and
           call
           them
           off
           from
           Business
           and
           Diversion
           ,
           to
           Religion
           and
           Devotion
           ;
           not
           only
           the
           Power
           but
           
             form
             of
             Godliness
          
           wou'd
           be
           lost
           ,
           not
           only
           the
           thing
           it self
           ,
           but
           very
           Name
           of
           Religion
           wou'd
           be
           Banish'd
           the
           World.
           
        
         
           Whereas
           the
           Religious
           Observation
           of
           the
           Lords-Day
           ,
           does
           often
           awaken
           those
           good
           thoughts
           ,
           which
           all
           the
           Week
           have
           lay'n
           Buried
           under
           Cares
           and
           Pleasures
           .
           And
           many
           who
           at
           first
           go
           to
           Church
           out
           of
           Decency
           and
           Custom
           ,
           will
           at
           length
           go
           out
           of
           Religion
           and
           Devotion
           .
           And
           indeed
           our
           joyning
           in
           Devout
           Prayers
           ,
           and
           Heavenly
           Praises
           ,
           hearing
           the
           Holy
           Scriptures
           Read
           ,
           and
           our
           Duty
           affectionately
           recommended
           ;
           all
           these
           preserve
           Spiritual
           Life
           ,
           keep
           Conscience
           sensible
           and
           tender
           .
        
         
           And
           the
           more
           strictly
           the
           Lords-Day
           is
           kept
           ,
           the
           better
           will
           it
           answer
           the
           end
           of
           its
           Institution
           ,
           the
           more
           effectually
           promote
           Piety
           ,
           and
           secure
           Religion
           ,
           whereas
           if
           only
           a
           part
           of
           it
           be
           allow'd
           
           to
           the
           Worship
           of
           GOD
           ,
           and
           the
           rest
           taken
           up
           in
           Sports
           and
           Diversions
           ,
           it
           is
           to
           be
           fear'd
           ,
           that
           our
           Morning
           Thoughts
           will
           soon
           pass
           away
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           Evening
           Pastimes
           will
           deface
           all
           the
           good
           Impressions
           of
           the
           Day
           .
        
         
           Now
           shall
           we
           not
           do
           excellent
           Service
           to
           Religion
           ,
           by
           rescuing
           the
           Lords-Day
           from
           Scandalous
           Abuses
           ,
           and
           hindring
           those
           Practices
           which
           must
           if
           not
           prevented
           ,
           destroy
           it
           ?
           The
           Honour
           of
           GOD
           is
           inseparably
           united
           to
           that
           of
           his
           Day
           .
           And
           Religion
           must
           languish
           and
           decay
           ,
           when
           that
           Day
           is
           Neglected
           or
           Prophan'd
           :
           Publick
           Worship
           must
           be
           disus'd
           ,
           and
           Private
           fall
           of
           Consequence
           .
           Of
           this
           our
           Governours
           are
           sensible
           ,
           and
           therefore
           good
           Laws
           have
           been
           Enacted
           to
           hinder
           it
           ;
           which
           are
           but
           a
           dead
           letter
           unless
           vigorously
           Executed
           .
           This
           surely
           then
           deserves
           and
           calls
           for
           our
           most
           active
           Zeal
           ,
           to
           put
           the
           Laws
           in
           Execution
           against
           the
           Prophaners
           of
           the
           Lords-Day
           ,
           since
           the
           preservation
           or
           ruin
           of
           Religion
           ,
           does
           in
           a
           great
           measure
           depend
           upon
           it
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           They
           who
           are
           
             Zealously
             Affected
             against
          
           Sin
           ,
           must
           labour
           to
           suppress
           Lewdness
           and
           Uncleaness
           ,
           and
           make
           those
           Wretched
           Creatures
           feel
           the
           just
           Severity
           of
           the
           Laws
           ,
           who
           set
           up
           Factories
           for
           Wickedness
           ,
           and
           make
           Prostitution
           their
           Trade
           .
        
         
           Christianity
           is
           an
           Undefil'd
           Religion
           ,
           
           and
           the
           
             Wisdom
             from
             above
             is
             pure
          
           or
           chaste
           ;
           it
           prohibits
           all
           Lascivious
           Practices
           ,
           and
           lays
           restraints
           on
           our
           Thoughts
           .
           And
           is
           it
           possible
           there
           shou'd
           be
           any
           Country
           where
           this
           Holy
           Religion
           is
           Publickly
           Profess'd
           ,
           and
           Divine
           Laws
           enforc'd
           by
           Temporal
           Punishments
           ;
           where
           there
           are
           Christian
           Ministers
           to
           perswade
           ,
           and
           Christian
           Mgistrates
           to
           correct
           Offenders
           :
           In
           which
           notwithstanding
           Lewdness
           and
           Debauchery
           should
           be
           so
           much
           ,
           so
           long
           wink'd
           at
           ,
           as
           almost
           to
           plead
           Prescription
           ,
           and
           Toleration
           ?
           That
           there
           shou'd
           be
           Seminaries
           for
           Uncleaness
           ,
           and
           yet
           unpunished
           ,
           unregarded
           ?
        
         
           Thus
           it
           has
           been
           heretofore
           among
           us
           ,
           and
           these
           Vices
           are
           still
           not
           only
           too
           commonly
           committed
           ,
           but
           glory'd
           in
           ,
           to
           the
           great
           Dishonour
           of
           GOD
           ,
           and
           Reproach
           of
           Religion
           .
           That
           then
           must
           be
           an
           excellent
           Zeal
           which
           dares
           check
           and
           oppose
           
           these
           abominable
           Sins
           ;
           which
           inspires
           us
           with
           Courage
           to
           Rescue
           our
           Christianity
           from
           Contempt
           ,
           by
           bringing
           the
           Scandals
           of
           it
           to
           just
           Punishment
           and
           Shame
           ,
           without
           being
           mov'd
           at
           their
           Insolence
           ,
           or
           afraid
           of
           their
           Revenge
           .
        
         
           There
           are
           many
           other
           very
           common
           ,
           very
           dangerous
           Sins
           ,
           against
           which
           
             it
             is
             a
             good
             thing
             to
             be
             Zealously
             Aflected
             ,
          
           particularly
           
             Common
             Drunkenness
          
           ,
           and
           
             Excessive
             Gaming
          
           .
           For
           these
           are
           not
           only
           great
           Sins
           in
           themselves
           ,
           but
           often
           the
           unhappy
           causes
           of
           those
           I
           have
           already
           nam'd
           .
           Gaming
           inflames
           the
           Passions
           ,
           fills
           the
           Mouth
           with
           Curses
           ,
           and
           the
           whole
           Man
           with
           Rage
           .
           Drunkenness
           divests
           Men
           of
           their
           Reason
           ,
           and
           puts
           every
           irregular
           desire
           into
           a
           Ferment
           ;
           and
           then
           no
           wonder
           if
           Blasphemies
           be
           their
           Language
           ,
           and
           Fleshly
           Lusts
           prevail
           against
           them
           .
           And
           very
           often
           Religion
           is
           neglected
           on
           the
           Lords-Day
           ,
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           Drinking
           or
           Gaming
           ,
           and
           wasted
           away
           in
           those
           mean
           ,
           unprofitable
           Entertainments
           .
        
         
           But
           since
           our
           Laws
           more
           directly
           take
           Cognizance
           of
           those
           other
           Sins
           ,
           I
           wou'd
           to
           GOD
           that
           our
           Zeal
           were
           successful
           in
           entirely
           suppressing
           them
           .
           For
           they
           are
           the
           most
           pernicious
           Scandals
           to
           Religion
           ,
           and
           shou'd
           therefore
           be
           the
           more
           immediate
           Objects
           of
           our
           Zeal
           And
           were
           no
           Swearing
           heard
           among
           us
           ,
           were
           the
           Lords-Day
           employ'd
           in
           Exercises
           of
           Religion
           and
           Devotion
           ,
           and
           were
           all
           known
           Traders
           in
           in
           Lewdness
           driven
           away
           ;
           what
           a
           Holy
           ,
           what
           a
           Happy
           People
           wou'd
           we
           soon
           become
           ?
           How
           Glorious
           wou'd
           Piety
           appear
           with
           all
           its
           Beauteous
           Charms
           ?
           How
           wou'd
           Religion
           Prosper
           and
           Flourish
           ?
           How
           wou'd
           Wickedness
           Blush
           and
           Tremble
           ,
           and
           Fly
           away
           ?
        
         
           And
           this
           might
           soon
           be
           effected
           ,
           did
           all
           heartily
           join
           in
           it
           ,
           who
           are
           under
           particular
           Obligations
           so
           to
           do
           ;
           which
           brings
           me
           in
           the
           Second
           place
           to
           consider
           who
           are
           principally
           oblig'd
           and
           concern'd
           
             to
             be
             Zealously
             Affected
          
           against
           those
           dangerous
           Sins
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           certainly
           reason
           sufficient
           why
           we
           shou'd
           be
           
             zealously
             affected
          
           against
           publick
           Vices
           that
           we
           are
           Christians
           :
           Professors
           of
           that
           Religion
           which
           exacts
           the
           highest
           degrees
           of
           Holiness
           from
           our selves
           ,
           and
           requires
           us
           to
           be
           Zealous
           and
           Industrious
           in
           reclaiming
           others
           from
           their
           evil
           ways
           ,
           and
           in
           promoting
           Religion
           and
           
             Reformation
             of
             Manners
          
           in
           the
           World.
           
        
         
         
           But
           sometimes
           particular
           Obligations
           arising
           from
           our
           Stations
           and
           Circumstances
           here
           ,
           are
           superadded
           to
           those
           which
           Christianity
           lays
           upon
           us
           ,
           which
           must
           be
           various
           as
           our
           Capacities
           and
           Conditions
           are
           .
           I
           shall
           therefore
           mention
           several
           ranks
           of
           Men
           ,
           who
           are
           principally
           concern'd
           in
           this
           Great
           Work
           ,
           and
           are
           bound
           with
           more
           than
           ordinary
           Diligence
           and
           Zeal
           to
           apply
           themselves
           to
           it
           .
        
         
           The
           First
           I
           shall
           name
           are
           the
           
             Ministers
             of
             Religion
          
           ,
           those
           who
           are
           Dedicated
           to
           the
           immediate
           Service
           of
           GOD
           ,
           to
           Preach
           his
           Word
           ,
           Administer
           his
           Sacraments
           ,
           and
           attend
           at
           his
           Altar
           .
        
         
           And
           certainly
           we
           who
           are
           
             Embassadors
             from
             Christ
             for
             this
             very
             end
             and
             purpose
             ,
             to
             beseech
             Sinners
             to
             be
             reconcil'd
             to
             GOD
             ,
          
           to
           whose
           Service
           we
           are
           solemnly
           set
           apart
           by
           the
           
             imposition
             of
             Hands
             and
             Prayer
             ;
             we
             who
             are
             Messengers
             ,
             Watch-Men
             ,
             and
             Stewards
             of
             the
             LORD
             ,
          
           Titles
           of
           great
           Dignity
           and
           Honour
           ,
           and
           expressive
           of
           constant
           Diligence
           and
           Labour
           ;
           we
           I
           say
           ,
           shou'd
           oppose
           Vice
           ,
           with
           a
           very
           active
           Zeal
           ,
           and
           with
           unweari'd
           application
           ;
           shou'd
           encourage
           all
           proposals
           for
           
             Reformation
             of
             Manners
          
           ,
           and
           lead
           the
           way
           to
           others
           ,
           in
           putting
           them
           in
           Execution
           .
           Shou'd
           like
           GOD's
           Ministers
           in
           Heaven
           
             be
             a
             Flame
             of
             Fire
          
           burning
           with
           Zeal
           so
           refin'd
           and
           pure
           ,
           that
           like
           theirs
           it
           may
           never
           fail
           ;
           so
           strong
           and
           vigorous
           ,
           as
           may
           spare
           indeed
           the
           Sinners
           ,
           but
           entirely
           destroy
           their
           Vices
           .
        
         
           The
           Reformation
           of
           Mens
           Manners
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           the
           Salvation
           of
           their
           Souls
           ,
           is
           the
           end
           of
           our
           Preaching
           ,
           and
           all
           our
           Labours
           ;
           and
           shou'd
           we
           not
           animate
           those
           good
           Men
           who
           have
           avow'dly
           enter'd
           the
           Lists
           against
           Wickedness
           ,
           since
           we
           have
           reason
           to
           hope
           that
           thereby
           our
           Work
           will
           become
           more
           easie
           and
           delightful
           ,
           and
           that
           more
           encouraging
           successes
           will
           attend
           our
           Ministry
           ,
           the
           most
           difficult
           obstructions
           (
           such
           publick
           Vices
           are
           )
           being
           happily
           remov'd
           ?
           Nay
           shou'd
           we
           not
           bless
           GOD
           for
           exciting
           a
           Spirit
           of
           Piety
           and
           Religious
           Zeal
           amongst
           us
           ;
           that
           there
           are
           any
           in
           this
           degenerate
           World
           ,
           who
           have
           a
           true
           concern
           for
           Religion
           and
           Virtue
           ?
           And
           don
           't
           all
           such
           deserve
           our
           Countenance
           and
           Encouragement
           ,
           our
           greatest
           esteem
           and
           tenderest
           affection
           ?
           And
           shou'd
           we
           not
           chearfully
           pertake
           in
           all
           their
           Difficulties
           
           and
           Dangers
           ,
           as
           we
           hope
           to
           share
           in
           their
           Rewards
           and
           Glory
           ?
        
         
           'T
           is
           usual
           to
           complain
           of
           the
           Corruptions
           of
           the
           Age
           ,
           but
           complaints
           hardly
           ever
           work
           a
           Cure.
           Our
           discourses
           may
           be
           passionate
           against
           prevailing
           Sins
           ,
           and
           yet
           those
           Sins
           continue
           to
           prevail
           ,
           the
           most
           Guilty
           being
           seldom
           our
           Hearers
           ,
           and
           when
           they
           are
           ,
           not
           regarding
           what
           we
           say
           .
           It
           is
           fit
           then
           ,
           it
           is
           necessary
           ,
           that
           we
           use
           Arguments
           of
           another
           Nature
           ,
           and
           punish
           those
           who
           are
           proof
           against
           all
           Perswasions
           ,
           that
           with
           Stripes
           and
           Blows
           we
           make
           those
           
             Deaf
             Adders
          
           move
           ,
           
             who
             stop
             their
             Ears
             against
             the
             Voice
             of
             the
             wisest
             Charmer
          
           ;
           make
           those
           feel
           the
           coercive
           power
           of
           Humane
           Laws
           ,
           who
           impiously
           violate
           the
           Laws
           of
           GOD.
           
        
         
           We
           call
           our selves
           Successors
           of
           the
           Apostles
           and
           Prophets
           ,
           and
           such
           undoubtedly
           all
           Lawful
           Ministers
           are
           :
           And
           shou'd
           not
           that
           one
           consideration
           inspire
           us
           with
           their
           Diligence
           ,
           their
           Courage
           and
           their
           Zeal
           ?
           That
           so
           we
           may
           oppose
           Prophaneness
           as
           Elijah
           did
           Idolatry
           ,
           and
           with
           the
           resolution
           of
           St.
           
             Paul
             Reason
             of
             Righteousness
             ,
             Temperance
             and
             Judgment
             to
             come
          
           ?
        
         
           But
           shou'd
           there
           be
           any
           so
           Complaisant
           for
           Wickedness
           ,
           so
           Cowardly
           and
           Mean
           ,
           as
           to
           be
           afraid
           or
           asham'd
           to
           disturb
           it
           in
           its
           antient
           Possessions
           ;
           must
           they
           not
           Blush
           when
           
             Surrounded
             with
             a
             Cloud
             of
             Witnesses
          
           of
           their
           own
           Order
           ,
           of
           Apostles
           ,
           and
           Bishops
           ,
           and
           Pastors
           ,
           who
           were
           not
           only
           
             Preachers
             of
             Righteousness
          
           ,
           but
           
             Reformers
             of
             Manners
          
           ?
           Who
           did
           not
           think
           they
           had
           discharg'd
           their
           Duty
           ,
           by
           saying
           some
           handsome
           things
           against
           Vice
           ;
           bu●
           being
           acted
           by
           a
           Holy
           Zeal
           ,
           were
           particular
           and
           warm
           in
           Advices
           ,
           vehement
           in
           their
           Expostulations
           ,
           and
           bold
           in
           their
           Reproofs
           ?
           While
           Men
           were
           wicked
           they
           pity'd
           them
           ,
           they
           pray'd
           for
           them
           ,
           but
           never
           made
           them
           their
           Intimates
           and
           Companions
           ▪
           They
           treated
           them
           as
           their
           Patients
           ,
           whose
           recovery
           they
           heartily
           endeavoured
           ,
           but
           never
           by
           Flattery
           and
           Compliance
           encreas'd
           their
           Distemper
           .
        
         
           I
           hope
           in
           GOD
           there
           are
           few
           or
           none
           among
           us
           guilty
           of
           these
           Faults
           ,
           so
           disagreeable
           to
           their
           Character
           ,
           and
           prejudicial
           to
           Religion
           ;
           the
           contrary
           I
           think
           is
           apparent
           ,
           that
           those
           who
           are
           most
           
           remarkable
           for
           their
           Piety
           ,
           and
           eminent
           for
           their
           Stations
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           do
           further
           and
           encourage
           all
           prudent
           designs
           for
           suppressing
           Vice
           ,
           and
           restoring
           Piety
           to
           its
           just
           Glory
           .
           But
           if
           there
           shou'd
           be
           any
           who
           have
           so
           far
           degenerated
           from
           the
           Zeal
           of
           their
           Primitive
           Predecessors
           ,
           as
           to
           be
           negligent
           and
           remiss
           in
           this
           important
           Concern
           (
           and
           if
           some
           shou'd
           be
           so
           ,
           among
           so
           many
           ,
           't
           is
           not
           at
           all
           to
           be
           wondred
           at
           ,
           nor
           any
           reasonable
           Objection
           against
           our
           Church
           )
           for
           such
           this
           Address
           is
           intended
           ,
           and
           that
           sufficiently
           justifies
           the
           plainess
           of
           it
           ,
           since
           sure
           I
           am
           they
           need
           it
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           Next
           to
           the
           
             Ministers
             of
             Religion
          
           ,
           the
           greatest
           Obligations
           of
           being
           
             Zealously
             Affected
          
           against
           publick
           reigning
           Vices
           lye
           upon
           Magistrates
           ,
           upon
           those
           who
           are
           invested
           with
           Authority
           and
           Power
           .
        
         
           And
           that
           it
           is
           the
           Duty
           of
           Magistrates
           with
           great
           Courage
           and
           Impartiality
           ,
           to
           suppress
           and
           punish
           all
           Wicked
           Practices
           .
           is
           plain
           from
           several
           Intimations
           of
           it
           in
           Holy
           Scripture
           .
           As
           that
           
             Rulers
             are
             not
             a
             Terror
             to
             Good
             Works
             but
             to
             the
             Evil.
          
           And
           if
           
             we
             do
             that
             which
             is
             Good
             ,
             we
             need
             not
             be
             afraid
             of
             the
             Power
             ,
             but
             shall
             have
             praise
             of
             the
             same
             :
             That
             he
             is
             the
             Minister
             of
             GOD
             for
             good
             ,
             and
             beareth
             not
             the
             Sword
             in
             vain
             ,
             and
             is
             a
             Revenger
             to
             execute
             Wrath
             upon
             him
             that
             doth
             Evil.
          
           Rom.
           13.3
           ,
           4.
           
           Again
           ,
           we
           are
           commanded
           to
           be
           
             subject
             to
             Governours
          
           who
           are
           appointed
           
             for
             the
             punishment
             of
             Evil
             Doers
             ,
             and
             the
             praise
             of
             them
             that
             do
             well
             .
          
           1
           Pet.
           2.14
           .
        
         
           From
           all
           which
           it
           appears
           what
           sort
           of
           Persons
           Magistrates
           shou'd
           be
           ;
           to
           evil
           works
           they
           shou'd
           be
           still
           a
           Terror
           ,
           and
           the
           Sword
           of
           Justice
           they
           shou'd
           never
           bear
           in
           vain
           .
           Upon
           them
           that
           do
           Evil
           't
           is
           their
           Duty
           to
           execute
           Wrath
           ;
           but
           good
           Works
           they
           are
           to
           Encourage
           ,
           good
           Men
           they
           are
           to
           Support
           and
           Praise
           .
           'T
           is
           for
           this
           end
           that
           they
           have
           Power
           given
           them
           over
           others
           ,
           by
           him
           from
           whom
           they
           originally
           derive
           their
           Commissions
           ,
           
             all
             Power
             being
             Ordained
             by
             him
             ,
          
           for
           
             by
             him
             Kings
             Reign
             ,
             and
             Princes
             decree
             Justice
             ,
          
           and
           therefore
           his
           Service
           they
           shou'd
           constantly
           perform
           ,
           and
           study
           the
           Vindication
           and
           Promotion
           of
           his
           Honour
           .
        
         
         
           Besides
           ,
           the
           Suppression
           of
           Wickedness
           and
           Vice
           is
           one
           great
           End
           of
           all
           Magistracy
           and
           Government
           ,
           because
           thereby
           that
           which
           is
           its
           sole
           end
           
             the
             publick
             Peace
             and
             Safety
          
           ,
           is
           effectually
           attain'd
           and
           secur'd
           .
           For
           it
           is
           inconsistent
           with
           the
           Publick
           Safety
           ,
           to
           suffer
           Wickedness
           to
           go
           on
           unrestrained
           ,
           Wickedness
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           which
           has
           a
           natural
           tendency
           to
           Confusion
           and
           Disorder
           ,
           endangers
           the
           Peace
           ,
           and
           destroys
           the
           happiness
           of
           Society
           .
           For
           the
           Natural
           Consequence
           of
           this
           must
           be
           ,
           the
           entire
           Ruine
           of
           Religion
           ;
           and
           when
           that
           is
           gone
           ,
           and
           Men
           are
           under
           no
           Tyes
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           have
           no
           regard
           for
           GOD
           ,
           believe
           not
           his
           Providence
           ,
           and
           are
           under
           no
           apprehensions
           of
           his
           just
           Indignation
           ,
           what
           Villanies
           then
           must
           be
           every
           where
           committed
           ?
           What
           Feuds
           must
           continually
           arise
           betwixt
           Governours
           and
           Subjects
           ,
           the
           one
           being
           Tyrannical
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           Rebellious
           ?
           What
           security
           can
           Men
           have
           for
           their
           Lives
           or
           Fortunes
           ,
           when
           Perjury
           shall
           be
           no
           longer
           dreaded
           as
           a
           Crime
           ?
           What
           an
           Emblem
           of
           Hell
           must
           this
           World
           become
           ,
           Criminals
           being
           too
           numerous
           ,
           too
           big
           to
           be
           Corrected
           ?
           when
           those
           who
           by
           their
           office
           are
           supposs'd
           to
           be
           Guardians
           of
           Virtue
           ,
           by
           their
           Practice
           ,
           will
           appear
           Patrons
           of
           Impiety
           .
           Nay
           the
           resemblance
           will
           hold
           ,
           not
           only
           in
           the
           Worlds
           Wickedness
           and
           Confusion
           ,
           but
           Misery
           too
           ;
           since
           Vice
           Countenanc'd
           by
           the
           neglect
           of
           Magistrates
           ,
           must
           needs
           exasperate
           the
           Wrath
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           bring
           down
           heavy
           Judgments
           on
           those
           Nations
           ,
           where
           it
           is
           allow'd
           to
           thrive
           ,
           where
           warm'd
           and
           nourish'd
           by
           Connivence
           .
        
         
           But
           surely
           Magistrates
           cannot
           neglect
           the
           Execution
           of
           the
           Laws
           against
           Immorality
           and
           Prophaness
           ,
           upon
           such
           easie
           Terms
           ,
           as
           some
           of
           them
           (
           if
           we
           may
           judge
           by
           their
           Practice
           )
           imagine
           ;
           since
           when
           they
           enter
           upon
           their
           Office
           ,
           they
           are
           Sworn
           to
           Execute
           and
           Maintain
           those
           Laws
           
             after
             their
             Wit
             and
             Power
             ,
             with
             equal
             respect
             to
             Poor
             and
             Rich
          
           ;
           and
           therefore
           every
           wilful
           Omission
           of
           their
           Duty
           ,
           is
           a
           Violation
           of
           a
           Solemn
           Oath
           ,
           and
           adds
           a
           new
           Perjury
           to
           all
           their
           other
           Crimes
           .
           And
           what
           a
           sad
           account
           shall
           such
           Men
           have
           to
           make
           at
           the
           Day
           of
           Judgment
           ?
           Must
           they
           not
           be
           rank'd
           with
           Judas
           ,
           and
           such
           other
           Wretches
           ,
           having
           betray'd
           that
           Religion
           ,
           they
           were
           oblig'd
           to
           defend
           ,
           and
           
           protected
           those
           Vices
           ,
           they
           were
           commanded
           ,
           they
           were
           sworn
           to
           Suppress
           ?
        
         
           And
           how
           happy
           wou'd
           it
           be
           both
           for
           them
           and
           us
           ,
           did
           all
           our
           Magistrates
           consider
           and
           act
           agreeably
           to
           the
           great
           Trust
           repos'd
           in
           them
           ?
           Did
           they
           with
           united
           Counsels
           and
           Endeavours
           put
           a
           stop
           to
           Vice
           ,
           and
           not
           commit
           those
           Crimes
           themselves
           ,
           they
           were
           commanded
           to
           punish
           in
           others
           ?
           How
           wou'd
           all
           the
           Blessings
           of
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           flow
           down
           upon
           us
           ?
           And
           what
           a
           happy
           change
           wou'd
           their
           Zeal
           and
           Courage
           soon
           produce
           ?
           Vice
           wou'd
           sneak
           and
           not
           dare
           to
           shew
           its
           Deform'd
           Face
           ;
           Men
           wou'd
           be
           asham'd
           of
           their
           Wickedness
           ,
           and
           tremble
           for
           fear
           of
           a
           Discovery
           ,
           but
           never
           dare
           to
           Glory
           in
           it
           ;
           and
           all
           their
           deeds
           of
           Darkness
           ,
           wou'd
           retire
           and
           shun
           the
           Light.
           
        
         
           And
           certainly
           a
           Faithful
           Magistrate
           is
           a
           Publick
           Blessing
           :
           He
           's
           the
           most
           useful
           Member
           of
           the
           Common-Wealth
           ,
           the
           best
           Patriot
           of
           his
           Country
           ,
           and
           to
           his
           Prince
           a
           most
           Valuable
           Subject
           .
           He
           deserves
           all
           the
           Honour
           the
           present
           Age
           can
           give
           ,
           and
           while
           the
           Name
           of
           some
           shall
           Rot
           ,
           Generations
           to
           come
           shall
           call
           him
           Blessed
           .
        
         
           And
           Praised
           be
           GOD's
           Holy
           Name
           ,
           such
           Magistrates
           are
           not
           wholly
           wanting
           among
           us
           ,
           there
           are
           some
           
             even
             in
             this
             City
          
           ,
           who
           upon
           all
           proper
           Occasions
           ,
           express
           a
           generous
           Zeal
           against
           Lewdness
           ,
           Immorality
           and
           Prophaness
           ;
           and
           have
           been
           glorious
           Instruments
           in
           restraining
           those
           Crimes
           ,
           which
           were
           usually
           committed
           with
           a
           daring
           Impudence
           :
           Magistrates
           ,
           who
           are
           Zealous
           for
           their
           Masters
           Honour
           ,
           and
           protect
           and
           encourage
           those
           who
           are
           active
           and
           forward
           in
           his
           Service
           ,
           whose
           actions
           are
           agreeable
           to
           the
           end
           for
           which
           they
           were
           appointed
           ,
           
             the
             Punishment
             of
             Evil-doers
             ,
             and
             Praise
             of
             them
             that
             do
             well
             .
          
           The
           Merit
           of
           such
           Excellent
           Men
           ,
           challenges
           the
           most
           publick
           and
           grateful
           acknowledgments
           which
           the
           Friends
           of
           Piety
           can
           pay
           ;
           and
           next
           to
           the
           great
           GOD
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           we
           shou'd
           be
           loudest
           in
           the
           Praises
           of
           these
           Ornaments
           of
           Magistracy
           ,
           Supports
           of
           Virtue
           ,
           and
           Zealous
           Promoters
           of
           Reformation
           .
           And
           I
           'm
           very
           confident
           they
           shall
           never
           want
           a
           more
           valuable
           benefit
           than
           Commendations
           ,
           the
           sincere
           and
           constant
           Prayers
           of
           all
           good
           Men
           ,
           for
           their
           temporal
           
           and
           eteranal
           Happiness
           .
           And
           I
           trust
           that
           the
           same
           GOD
           ,
           who
           has
           
             begun
             a
             good
             work
             in
             them
             ,
          
           will
           continue
           ,
           will
           improve
           ,
           and
           bring
           it
           to
           perfection
           .
           That
           he
           will
           so
           animate
           and
           assist
           them
           ,
           that
           they
           shall
           
             never
             grow
             weary
             in
             well-doing
          
           ,
           nor
           think
           any
           thing
           a
           trouble
           wherein
           GOD
           and
           Religion
           are
           concern'd
           .
           And
           others
           will
           I
           hope
           be
           influenc'd
           by
           these
           Examples
           ,
           to
           walk
           in
           their
           Steps
           ,
           and
           immitate
           their
           Zeal
           :
           That
           so
           all
           our
           Magistrates
           may
           enjoy
           the
           invaluable
           satisfaction
           which
           doing
           good
           to
           the
           World
           does
           here
           afford
           ;
           all
           may
           be
           intitl'd
           to
           a
           Glorious
           Reward
           in
           Heaven
           .
        
         
           Whatever
           particular
           Obligations
           lye
           upon
           Magistrates
           ,
           to
           be
           Zealously
           Affected
           against
           Prophaness
           and
           Vice
           ,
           do
           likewise
           respect
           the
           Nobility
           and
           Gentry
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           they
           are
           not
           all
           Sworn
           to
           Execute
           the
           Laws
           ,
           yet
           Honours
           and
           Estates
           are
           conferr'd
           upon
           them
           ,
           by
           the
           Sovereign
           Proprietor
           of
           all
           things
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           be
           qualifi'd
           thereby
           to
           be
           the
           more
           serviceable
           to
           the
           interests
           of
           Piety
           and
           Religion
           .
           These
           Gifts
           of
           Heaven
           are
           Talents
           for
           which
           they
           must
           render
           an
           account
           to
           the
           Great
           Donor
           of
           them
           :
           And
           if
           they
           improve
           them
           to
           his
           Glory
           ,
           and
           the
           good
           of
           Mankind
           ;
           If
           they
           will
           not
           decline
           expence
           nor
           trouble
           ,
           to
           destroy
           Vice
           ,
           and
           make
           Religion
           prosper
           ;
           then
           they
           answer
           the
           intention
           of
           Providence
           ,
           and
           shall
           be
           able
           
             to
             give
             an
             account
             of
             their
             Stewardship
             with
             Joy.
          
           They
           shall
           entail
           lasting
           Blessings
           upon
           their
           Families
           ,
           and
           secure
           endless
           Glory
           to
           themselves
           .
           Nay
           they
           will
           silence
           the
           Clamours
           of
           Malice
           and
           Envy
           ,
           since
           few
           won't
           rejoice
           at
           the
           greatness
           of
           those
           who
           make
           all
           their
           privileges
           subservient
           to
           Piety
           and
           Virtue
           .
        
         
           
             A
             Third
          
           sort
           of
           Persons
           who
           are
           concern'd
           to
           be
           
             Zealously
             Affected
          
           against
           those
           dangerous
           Sins
           are
           Penitents
           :
           Those
           who
           having
           heretofore
           been
           engag'd
           in
           sinful
           Courses
           ,
           are
           by
           the
           Grace
           of
           GOD
           delivered
           from
           their
           Bondage
           ,
           and
           restor'd
           to
           a
           better
           Mind
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           a
           common
           observation
           ,
           that
           Penitents
           are
           more
           Zealous
           ,
           than
           any
           others
           against
           Sin
           :
           And
           indeed
           ther
           's
           a
           Natural
           Reason
           why
           it
           shou'd
           be
           so
           ;
           for
           the
           more
           Men
           know
           of
           Vice
           ,
           when
           once
           throughly
           awaken'd
           from
           its
           Charms
           ,
           they
           more
           they
           will
           
           abhor
           and
           detest
           it
           .
           Besides
           ,
           't
           is
           what
           they
           are
           strictly
           oblig'd
           to
           in
           Conscience
           :
           For
           having
           heretofore
           dishonour'd
           GOD
           ,
           obstructed
           Religion
           ,
           and
           made
           Men
           Enemies
           to
           Virtue
           :
           They
           are
           bound
           (
           if
           I
           may
           so
           speak
           )
           to
           make
           what
           Restitution
           they
           can
           to
           all
           those
           ,
           for
           the
           Injuries
           they
           have
           done
           them
           .
        
         
           Have
           they
           heretofore
           Prophan'd
           GOD's
           Name
           ,
           or
           his
           Word
           ,
           or
           his
           Day
           ?
           Then
           surely
           if
           their
           Repentance
           be
           sincere
           ,
           they
           will
           not
           only
           in
           the
           highest
           manner
           honour
           these
           themselves
           ,
           but
           be
           very
           assiduous
           to
           procure
           them
           all
           possible
           Reverence
           from
           others
           .
           Have
           they
           entic'd
           others
           to
           Sin
           ,
           and
           been
           but
           too
           unhappily
           successful
           in
           it
           ?
           Shou'd
           not
           then
           their
           Zeal
           be
           constant
           and
           active
           as
           the
           Sun
           and
           Light
           ,
           and
           bring
           Men
           to
           a
           sense
           of
           their
           Duty
           ,
           that
           so
           they
           may
           be
           Instruments
           of
           saving
           more
           ,
           than
           they
           have
           been
           the
           Fatal
           Means
           of
           destroying
           ?
           Have
           they
           injur'd
           Religion
           by
           their
           Evil
           Examples
           ?
           Then
           surely
           their
           Lives
           for
           the
           future
           ,
           shou'd
           be
           bright
           and
           unspotted
           ;
           their
           Actions
           Eminently
           Holy
           ,
           and
           a
           most
           engaging
           Pattern
           of
           Piety
           ,
           they
           shou'd
           set
           to
           the
           World.
           Had
           they
           almost
           miscarry'd
           and
           been
           ruin'd
           for
           ever
           by
           their
           Wickedness
           ,
           had
           not
           the
           Goodness
           of
           GOD
           miraculously
           interpos'd
           for
           their
           Deliverance
           ?
           Then
           't
           is
           certainly
           their
           Duty
           to
           caution
           others
           of
           those
           Rocks
           ,
           whereon
           they
           had
           well
           nigh
           been
           Ship-rack'd
           .
        
         
           Such
           was
           the
           Practice
           of
           those
           great
           Examples
           of
           sincere
           Repentance
           ,
           Holy
           David
           ,
           and
           St.
           Paul.
           After
           the
           former
           had
           in
           very
           passionate
           terms
           bewail'd
           his
           Sins
           ,
           and
           implor'd
           the
           Pardon
           of
           GOD
           for
           them
           ,
           as
           the
           natural
           consequence
           of
           his
           Repentance
           ,
           he
           declares
           his
           Pious
           Resolution
           ,
           
             I
             will
             teach
             thy
             ways
             to
             the
             Wicked
             ,
             and
             Sinners
             shall
             be
             converted
             unto
             thee
             .
          
           Psal.
           51.13
           .
           And
           thus
           it
           was
           with
           St.
           Paul
           after
           his
           Conversion
           .
           Did
           he
           once
           make
           Havock
           of
           the
           Church
           ?
           He
           afterwards
           
             labour'd
             more
             abundantly
             than
             all
             the
             Apostles
          
           to
           enlarge
           and
           strengthen
           it
           .
           Was
           he
           once
           a
           bitter
           Enemy
           to
           Christianity
           ,
           a
           Blasphemer
           and
           Reviler
           of
           the
           Son
           of
           GOD
           ?
           He
           afterwards
           prov'd
           a
           most
           Zealous
           Advocate
           for
           the
           one
           ,
           a
           most
           Successful
           Preacher
           of
           the
           other
           .
           Did
           he
           hale
           the
           Saints
           to
           Prison
           ,
           was
           he
           consenting
           to
           their
           Death
           ?
           To
           the
           same
           Religion
           ,
           they
           profess'd
           ,
           he
           adher'd
           faithfully
           
           unto
           Death
           ,
           and
           for
           it
           was
           Crown'd
           with
           Martyrdom
           himself
           .
        
         
           And
           thus
           shou'd
           all
           true
           Penitents
           behave
           themselves
           ;
           whatever
           tends
           to
           the
           Advancement
           of
           Religon
           ,
           with
           all
           the
           powers
           of
           their
           Souls
           they
           shou'd
           pursue
           themselves
           ,
           and
           recommend
           to
           others
           ,
           with
           a
           most
           
             Industrious
             Zeal
          
           .
           Then
           wou'd
           their
           Repentance
           be
           not
           only
           sincere
           ,
           but
           compleat
           ;
           available
           to
           their
           Pardon
           ,
           and
           
             cause
             Joy
             in
             the
             presence
             of
             the
             Angels
             .
          
        
         
           
             Fourthly
             and
             Lastly
          
           ,
           They
           who
           have
           enter'd
           into
           
             Societies
             for
             Reformation
             of
             Manners
          
           ,
           and
           thereby
           avow'dly
           engag'd
           in
           the
           service
           of
           Piety
           and
           Religion
           ,
           are
           particularly
           oblig'd
           to
           
             be
             Zealously
             Affected
          
           against
           those
           foremention'd
           
             Dangerous
             Sins
          
           .
        
         
           My
           Argument
           does
           not
           require
           that
           I
           shou'd
           undertake
           a
           just
           Vindication
           of
           such
           Societies
           ,
           and
           prove
           the
           usefulness
           of
           them
           ;
           this
           has
           been
           fully
           done
           by
           others
           ,
           and
           the
           great
           service
           they
           daily
           do
           Religion
           ,
           sufficiently
           proclaims
           it
           .
        
         
           Yet
           we
           may
           in
           general
           observe
           ,
           that
           Vice
           is
           too
           potent
           an
           Enemy
           to
           be
           defeated
           by
           any
           single
           endeavours
           ;
           Vice
           ,
           which
           too
           often
           baffles
           the
           united
           Labours
           of
           the
           best
           Men
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           is
           supported
           by
           a
           confederacy
           of
           all
           the
           Powers
           of
           Darkness
           .
           Besides
           ,
           we
           cannot
           but
           be
           sensible
           ,
           that
           good
           Men
           have
           need
           of
           Companions
           ,
           to
           animate
           them
           to
           a
           work
           of
           Difficulty
           and
           Danger
           .
           We
           are
           afraid
           to
           appear
           Champions
           for
           Religion
           ,
           are
           afflicted
           with
           an
           evil
           shame
           ,
           and
           easily
           discourag'd
           ;
           
             when
             alone
          
           .
           But
           a
           competent
           number
           when
           join'd
           in
           a
           Society
           advise
           ,
           support
           ,
           and
           excite
           one
           another
           .
           The
           Prudent
           Calmness
           of
           some
           ,
           restrains
           the
           Irregular
           Warmth
           of
           others
           ;
           whose
           Vigorous
           Zeal
           on
           the
           other
           hand
           ,
           like
           Fire
           ,
           communicates
           Heat
           ,
           and
           Life
           ,
           and
           Spirit
           to
           the
           Negligent
           ,
           and
           Indifferent
           ;
           gives
           flame
           to
           their
           Affections
           ,
           and
           enlivens
           their
           Souls
           .
           Again
           't
           is
           reasonable
           to
           believe
           that
           what
           the
           United
           Councils
           of
           many
           resolve
           upon
           ,
           and
           what
           is
           Prosecuted
           by
           their
           joint
           Endeavours
           ,
           will
           be
           more
           wisely
           undertaken
           ,
           and
           more
           successfully
           accomplish'd
           ,
           than
           if
           there
           were
           no
           such
           Union
           either
           in
           Council
           ,
           or
           in
           Action
           .
           So
           that
           a
           great
           many
           good
           Men
           ,
           who
           wou'd
           otherwise
           be
           of
           little
           use
           to
           Religion
           ,
           do
           very
           much
           advance
           and
           promote
           it
           ,
           by
           thus
           joining
           
           together
           their
           Hearts
           and
           Hands
           for
           that
           purpose
           ;
           as
           those
           many
           little
           Stars
           which
           make
           up
           what
           we
           call
           the
           
             Milky
             way
             in
             the
             Heavens
          
           ,
           wou'd
           if
           separated
           wholly
           disappear
           ,
           but
           by
           their
           Conjunction
           afford
           ,
           a
           very
           useful
           Light
           to
           the
           World.
           
        
         
           We
           are
           all
           sufficiently
           convinc'd
           ,
           of
           the
           necessity
           of
           Societies
           in
           many
           other
           cases
           ,
           for
           carrying
           on
           any
           design
           of
           Importance
           .
           If
           a
           Prince
           is
           become
           too
           Potent
           for
           one
           Neighbour
           ,
           whom
           he
           is
           likely
           to
           Devour
           ,
           then
           many
           become
           Confederates
           to
           humble
           him
           .
           Is
           any
           great
           Trade
           to
           be
           undertaken
           ,
           which
           is
           too
           difficult
           and
           expensive
           for
           any
           Private
           Fortune
           and
           Contrivance
           ?
           Then
           is
           it
           usually
           accomplish'd
           by
           a
           
             Society
             or
             Company
          
           .
           Our
           Common
           Safety
           shews
           us
           the
           necessity
           of
           Parliaments
           ,
           which
           are
           but
           great
           Societies
           for
           Reforming
           the
           Common
           Wealth
           ,
           by
           redressing
           Grievances
           ,
           and
           making
           Useful
           Laws
           .
           And
           is
           Religion
           the
           only
           that
           either
           does
           not
           need
           ,
           or
           does
           not
           deserve
           a
           Society
           to
           promote
           and
           secure
           it
           ?
           Is
           not
           suppressing
           Publick
           Impiety
           ,
           Lewdness
           and
           Prophaness
           ;
           bringing
           those
           who
           are
           openly
           Wicked
           and
           Proud
           of
           being
           so
           esteem'd
           ,
           to
           Punishment
           ;
           and
           removing
           from
           others
           the
           Pestilence
           of
           Evil
           Examples
           ;
           are
           not
           all
           these
           Matters
           of
           great
           Weight
           and
           Moment
           ;
           and
           which
           deserve
           the
           most
           serious
           Thoughts
           of
           the
           Prudent
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           the
           Religious
           ?
           And
           if
           these
           things
           can
           be
           better
           effected
           by
           Societies
           than
           any
           other
           way
           ,
           does
           not
           that
           fully
           evince
           the
           Usefulness
           ,
           or
           rather
           great
           Necessity
           ,
           of
           them
           ?
           If
           
             Reformation
             of
             Manners
          
           can
           be
           accomplish'd
           more
           successfully
           by
           other
           Methods
           ,
           than
           these
           of
           Societies
           ,
           it
           wou'd
           do
           great
           service
           to
           Religion
           ,
           to
           discover
           them
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           but
           since
           that
           has
           not
           yet
           been
           done
           ,
           't
           is
           very
           reasonable
           that
           Persons
           of
           Piety
           and
           Zeal
           ,
           shou'd
           go
           on
           in
           the
           way
           they
           know
           ,
           till
           they
           be
           made
           acquainted
           with
           a
           better
           .
        
         
           I
           own
           did
           every
           Man
           among
           us
           Conscientiously
           discharge
           his
           Duty
           in
           his
           Station
           ,
           and
           according
           to
           his
           Capacity
           ;
           were
           there
           no
           
             Negligent
             Ministers
          
           ,
           nor
           any
           
             Unfaithful
             Magistrates
          
           ,
           and
           did
           every
           other
           Person
           in
           his
           Private
           Capacity
           ,
           do
           what
           in
           strictness
           he
           ought
           to
           do
           ,
           then
           the
           whole
           Church
           wou'd
           be
           one
           great
           
             Religious
             Society
          
           ,
           and
           that
           wou'd
           supersede
           the
           necessity
           of
           any
           other
           .
           But
           seeing
           that
           never
           was
           in
           any
           Age
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           not
           
           in
           the
           most
           Primitive
           and
           Purest
           times
           :
           Seeing
           that
           
             Ecclesiastical
             Discipline
          
           is
           fallen
           so
           very
           low
           ,
           that
           
             Church
             Censures
          
           are
           lost
           upon
           the
           greater
           part
           of
           Mankind
           :
           And
           seeing
           we
           have
           no
           prospect
           of
           any
           publick
           alteration
           for
           the
           better
           ,
           but
           have
           cause
           to
           fear
           that
           every
           thing
           will
           become
           worse
           ,
           unless
           the
           impending
           Mischief
           be
           in
           time
           prevented
           ;
           seeing
           the
           case
           is
           so
           ,
           I
           think
           it
           plainly
           follows
           ,
           that
           those
           Men
           of
           Eminent
           Integrity
           and
           Virtue
           (
           how
           low
           soever
           some
           of
           their
           Fortunes
           may
           be
           )
           who
           without
           any
           prospect
           of
           
             Worldly
             Advantage
          
           (
           nay
           to
           their
           manifest
           loss
           )
           have
           resolv'd
           to
           encounter
           Difficulties
           and
           Dangers
           ;
           and
           undergo
           Calumnies
           and
           Slanders
           ;
           rather
           than
           Wickedness
           shall
           continue
           bare-fac'd
           ,
           and
           Vice
           spread
           every
           where
           without
           opposition
           ,
           any
           more
           :
           Those
           Men
           I
           say
           ,
           deserve
           all
           Encouragement
           to
           themselves
           ,
           and
           their
           design
           :
           The
           countenance
           and
           protection
           of
           our
           Governours
           ,
           and
           all
           who
           wish
           well
           to
           Religion
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           they
           have
           had
           no
           small
           share
           in
           Censures
           and
           Objections
           ;
           But
           what
           Person
           so
           innocent
           ,
           what
           Design
           to
           laudable
           as
           to
           escape
           them
           ?
           If
           Christianity
           the
           best
           Religion
           ,
           If
           the
           Blessed
           Jesus
           the
           Holiest
           Person
           that
           ever
           was
           ,
           have
           been
           ,
           and
           daily
           are
           Blasphem'd
           ,
           Revil'd
           ,
           and
           Slander'd
           :
           What
           are
           you
           ,
           
             my
             Brethren
          
           ,
           that
           you
           shou'd
           hope
           to
           be
           Exempted
           from
           the
           Common
           Fate
           of
           the
           best
           Men
           in
           the
           World
           ?
           Has
           Satan
           entirely
           chang'd
           his
           Nature
           ,
           and
           laid
           aside
           his
           Malice
           ?
           Is
           he
           not
           only
           transform'd
           into
           the
           
             likeness
             of
             an
             Angel
             of
             Light
          
           but
           become
           really
           one
           ?
           Will
           he
           no
           more
           oppose
           Religion
           ,
           no
           more
           
             obstruct
             Reformation
             of
             Manners
          
           ?
           Or
           has
           the
           
             Old
             Serpent
          
           lost
           at
           once
           his
           Cunning
           and
           his
           Poyson
           ?
           Has
           he
           so
           often
           mis-represented
           Religion
           with
           great
           success
           ,
           and
           expos'd
           it
           to
           publick
           Hatred
           ,
           by
           Painting
           it
           as
           some
           frightful
           Monster
           ?
           And
           won't
           he
           still
           prosecute
           the
           same
           Methods
           ,
           which
           have
           hardly
           ever
           fail'd
           him
           ,
           and
           endeavour
           to
           defeat
           the
           good
           Designs
           of
           some
           Men
           ,
           by
           raising
           unaccountable
           Jealousies
           and
           Fears
           in
           others
           ;
           and
           labour
           to
           undermine
           by
           secret
           Calumnies
           and
           Slanders
           ,
           what
           he
           wants
           Power
           directly
           to
           oppose
           ?
        
         
           But
           yet
           if
           Two
           or
           Three
           sorts
           of
           Persons
           were
           silent
           ,
           very
           few
           Mouths
           wou'd
           be
           open'd
           against
           
             Societies
             for
             Reformation
          
           .
           Those
           who
           take
           things
           upon
           Trust
           ,
           and
           Condemn
           without
           knowing
           
           the
           Merits
           of
           the
           Cause
           ,
           who
           have
           been
           impos'd
           upon
           for
           want
           of
           due
           enquiry
           ,
           by
           false
           Representations
           both
           of
           the
           Design
           and
           Persons
           concern'd
           in
           it
           .
           Or
           those
           who
           being
           not
           truly
           Zealous
           themselves
           ,
           are
           angry
           that
           any
           shou'd
           go
           beyond
           them
           ,
           and
           thereby
           tacitly
           reproach
           their
           want
           of
           Zeal
           ;
           or
           they
           lastly
           ,
           who
           are
           enrag'd
           that
           their
           unlawful
           Liberties
           shou'd
           be
           check'd
           and
           restrain'd
           ,
           that
           any
           shou'd
           presume
           to
           Curb
           their
           Lewdness
           and
           Prophaness
           .
           But
           the
           Clamours
           of
           these
           kinds
           of
           Men
           are
           ill
           grounded
           and
           unjust
           ;
           such
           as
           can
           be
           no
           surprize
           to
           any
           who
           are
           acquainted
           with
           the
           Corruptions
           of
           Humane
           Nature
           ,
           and
           consider
           the
           active
           indefatigable
           Malice
           of
           the
           Devil
           ;
           and
           therefore
           can
           never
           shake
           
             a
             prudent
             well
             establish'd
             Zeal
          
           .
        
         
           And
           such
           I
           trust
           in
           GOD
           
             your
             Zeal
          
           will
           always
           be
           ,
           and
           that
           you
           will
           still
           find
           that
           Encouragement
           and
           Protection
           to
           which
           you
           are
           justly
           intitl'd
           ,
           by
           the
           Excellency
           of
           your
           Undertaking
           ,
           and
           Prudence
           of
           your
           Behaviour
           .
           I
           am
           perswaded
           you
           did
           not
           enter
           into
           these
           Societies
           rashly
           and
           unadvisedly
           ;
           but
           weigh'd
           all
           the
           hardships
           and
           inconveniences
           you
           might
           reasonably
           expect
           on
           the
           one
           hand
           ,
           and
           consider'd
           the
           motives
           which
           excited
           your
           Zeal
           on
           the
           other
           ;
           and
           after
           mature
           deliberation
           
             chose
             the
             good
             part
          
           ,
           and
           resolv'd
           with
           great
           Constancy
           to
           adhere
           to
           it
           ;
           chearfully
           to
           bear
           Opposition
           ,
           Contempt
           and
           Reproach
           ,
           provided
           you
           might
           be
           able
           to
           put
           a
           stop
           to
           any
           one
           prevailing
           Sin.
           
        
         
           But
           the
           same
           Christian
           Zeal
           which
           first
           mov'd
           you
           to
           Asscociate
           against
           Vice
           ,
           will
           oblige
           you
           to
           continue
           and
           persevere
           ,
           to
           become
           more
           Active
           and
           Zealous
           in
           suppressing
           it
           :
           To
           this
           ,
           your
           Obligations
           are
           great
           ,
           as
           Members
           of
           the
           Christian
           Church
           ,
           into
           which
           when
           you
           were
           admitted
           ,
           you
           vow'd
           to
           
             continue
             Christs
             Faithful
             Servants
             and
             Soldiers
             to
             your
             Lives
             end
          
           :
           But
           your
           belonging
           to
           a
           Society
           whose
           sole
           end
           is
           
             Reformation
             of
             Manners
          
           ,
           has
           much
           encreas'd
           them
           .
           A
           Design
           the
           best
           and
           noblest
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           but
           which
           ought
           to
           be
           Prosecuted
           with
           a
           very
           constant
           ,
           prudent
           Zeal
           ;
           that
           the
           Enemies
           of
           Piety
           may
           not
           be
           able
           to
           insult
           ,
           may
           have
           no
           occasion
           to
           upbraid
           any
           of
           you
           ,
           either
           with
           Negligence
           or
           Imprudence
           .
           And
           then
           will
           you
           more
           successfully
           promote
           your
           Great
           ,
           and
           Excellent
           End
           ;
           and
           in
           due
           time
           stop
           the
           Mouths
           of
           Gain-sayers
           .
        
         
         
           These
           are
           the
           several
           orders
           of
           Men
           who
           are
           particularly
           oblig'd
           to
           be
           
             Zealously
             Affected
          
           in
           suppressing
           Prophaness
           and
           Vice
           ;
           not
           that
           any
           are
           exempted
           from
           it
           ;
           it
           is
           the
           Business
           and
           Duty
           ,
           and
           ought
           to
           be
           the
           Study
           and
           Practice
           of
           every
           Christian.
           Here
           all
           are
           Commanded
           ,
           and
           may
           without
           a
           Crime
           ,
           
             put
             forth
             their
             Hands
             to
             support
             the
             Ark.
          
           'T
           is
           true
           they
           cannot
           ,
           they
           must
           not
           all
           attempt
           to
           do
           it
           the
           same
           way
           ;
           what
           is
           the
           Indispensible
           Duty
           of
           one
           ,
           may
           be
           a
           Great
           Sin
           in
           another
           to
           pretend
           to
           :
           And
           tho
           all
           ought
           to
           shew
           their
           Zeal
           for
           Religion
           and
           Reformation
           ,
           yet
           they
           must
           take
           different
           ways
           of
           shewing
           it
           ;
           which
           leads
           me
           to
           the
        
         
           
             Third
             Particular
          
           I
           propos'd
           to
           speak
           to
           ,
           which
           was
           to
           point
           out
           those
           ways
           wherein
           we
           may
           best
           employ
           and
           shew
           our
           Zeal
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           attain
           the
           Excellent
           Ends
           it
           aims
           at
           .
        
         
           Something
           of
           this
           I
           have
           hinted
           at
           already
           ,
           for
           by
           mentioning
           those
           several
           sorts
           of
           Men
           ,
           who
           are
           oblig'd
           to
           higher
           degrees
           of
           Zeal
           against
           Vice
           than
           others
           ,
           I
           did
           in
           effect
           shew
           how
           their
           Zeal
           is
           to
           express
           it self
           .
        
         
           Thus
           for
           Example
           :
           Are
           we
           
             Zealous
             Ministers
          
           of
           Religion
           ?
           Then
           must
           our
           Zeal
           appear
           both
           to
           GOD
           and
           Man
           in
           our
           Publick
           Preaching
           and
           Exemplary
           Life
           ;
           and
           in
           our
           Private
           Labours
           and
           Endeavours
           to
           infuse
           Piety
           and
           Zeal
           into
           others
           .
           We
           must
           shew
           our
           Zeal
           by
           leading
           the
           way
           to
           others
           in
           the
           best
           manner
           ,
           Prudence
           directs
           ,
           and
           so
           far
           as
           our
           Duty
           requires
           .
           And
           lastly
           our
           Zeal
           must
           express
           it self
           in
           Constant
           and
           Fervent
           Prayers
           to
           GOD
           ,
           for
           his
           Blessing
           and
           Assistance
           .
        
         
           Again
           ,
           are
           we
           
             Zealously
             Magistrates
          
           ?
           Then
           are
           we
           to
           employ
           our
           Zeal
           in
           Vigorously
           Executing
           the
           Laws
           against
           Immorality
           and
           Prophaness
           .
           We
           are
           to
           Countenance
           and
           Encourage
           all
           who
           are
           engag'd
           in
           the
           Service
           
             of
             Religion
             and
             Reformation
          
           ,
           and
           secure
           them
           from
           the
           rude
           insults
           of
           those
           who
           have
           made
           themselves
           their
           Enemies
           :
           And
           to
           influence
           others
           to
           Honour
           Religion
           by
           the
           Brightness
           of
           our
           own
           Examples
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           those
           of
           Inferiour
           Degree
           ,
           whose
           Station
           is
           Private
           ,
           and
           whose
           Condition
           is
           Obscure
           ,
           even
           they
           may
           many
           ways
           testifie
           the
           sincerity
           of
           their
           Zeal
           ,
           and
           make
           it
           very
           serviceable
           to
           
           Piety
           and
           Virtue
           .
           The
           meanest
           Man
           among
           us
           has
           a
           Family
           to
           take
           care
           of
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           may
           preserve
           from
           the
           Infection
           of
           Reigning
           Sins
           :
           He
           can
           Admonish
           ,
           can
           Reprove
           ,
           and
           Correct
           his
           Child
           or
           his
           Servant
           ,
           with
           Authority
           and
           good
           Effect
           .
           He
           may
           also
           Exhort
           ,
           and
           Advise
           his
           Neighbour
           of
           his
           own
           Rank
           ,
           nay
           he
           may
           Reprove
           him
           too
           ,
           upon
           a
           Just
           Occasion
           ,
           and
           in
           a
           Prudent
           Manner
           ;
           and
           thereby
           contribute
           much
           to
           reclaim
           him
           .
           Such
           a
           Man
           may
           especially
           be
           very
           useful
           to
           Religion
           ,
           by
           bringing
           the
           open
           Enemies
           of
           it
           ,
           to
           deserved
           Punishment
           .
           He
           will
           unavoidably
           be
           often
           a
           Witness
           of
           Publick
           Sins
           .
           He
           will
           frequently
           see
           the
           Lords-Day
           Prophan'd
           ,
           and
           hear
           GOD's
           Holy
           Name
           Dishonour'd
           and
           Blasphemed
           ;
           and
           that
           by
           those
           who
           are
           too
           Great
           to
           be
           Reprov'd
           by
           him
           ,
           and
           who
           wou'd
           answer
           all
           his
           Grave
           Advices
           with
           Scorn
           and
           Rage
           .
           But
           then
           that
           Man
           ought
           ,
           if
           he
           has
           any
           Zeal
           for
           the
           Honour
           of
           GOD
           ,
           to
           Inform
           the
           Magistrates
           of
           what
           he
           has
           Seen
           and
           Heard
           ,
           and
           shew
           his
           own
           Zeal
           ,
           by
           giving
           them
           an
           opportunity
           of
           exercising
           theirs
           .
           He
           ought
           without
           any
           by-regards
           to
           Interest
           or
           Friendship
           ,
           to
           acquaint
           those
           
             who
             bear
             the
             Sword
          
           ,
           with
           the
           Crimes
           that
           have
           been
           committed
           before
           him
           ,
           that
           the
           Guilty
           may
           feel
           ,
           how
           
             they
             bear
             it
             not
             in
             vain
             .
          
        
         
           This
           is
           what
           many
           among
           us
           have
           of
           late
           done
           with
           very
           great
           success
           ,
           and
           therefore
           what
           I
           cannot
           but
           recommend
           to
           all
           ,
           as
           the
           most
           effectual
           means
           of
           entirely
           rooting
           out
           all
           gross
           Immoralities
           and
           publick
           Vices
           ,
           especially
           those
           more
           heinous
           ones
           I
           have
           so
           often
           nam'd
           .
           And
           since
           it
           has
           pleased
           GOD
           ,
           to
           give
           us
           some
           
             good
             Magistrates
          
           ,
           who
           want
           neither
           Zeal
           nor
           Courage
           to
           put
           the
           Laws
           in
           Execution
           ,
           what
           remains
           to
           accomplish
           a
           through
           
             Reformation
             of
             Manners
          
           ,
           but
           that
           we
           contribute
           our
           Endeavours
           to
           it
           ,
           by
           giving
           constant
           and
           Impartial
           Informations
           against
           Offenders
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           true
           ,
           an
           Informer
           has
           been
           generally
           esteem'd
           a
           Name
           of
           Imfamy
           and
           Reproach
           ,
           and
           in
           many
           cases
           not
           without
           reason
           .
           It
           is
           an
           Employment
           has
           been
           sometimes
           taken
           up
           by
           Men
           of
           Blasted
           Reputations
           ,
           upon
           the
           basest
           motives
           ,
           and
           manag'd
           in
           the
           most
           disingenuous
           manner
           .
           When
           we
           saw
           a
           Man
           accuse
           others
           of
           a
           
           Crime
           whereof
           he
           was
           himself
           more
           Guilty
           ,
           and
           that
           not
           out
           of
           remorse
           of
           Conscience
           or
           Zeal
           to
           have
           Criminals
           Punish'd
           ,
           but
           in
           hopes
           of
           Favour
           and
           Money
           from
           those
           in
           Power
           .
           When
           we
           saw
           Informing
           made
           a
           Trade
           ,
           and
           Men
           getting
           Bread
           by
           Perjury
           ,
           mixing
           much
           Falshood
           ,
           with
           a
           little
           Truth
           .
           When
           we
           saw
           all
           the
           Laws
           of
           Hospitality
           and
           Friendship
           violated
           ,
           and
           things
           spoken
           with
           Freedom
           and
           without
           Design
           ,
           told
           with
           Aggravations
           to
           a
           jealous
           Government
           .
           When
           I
           say
           ,
           Informing
           was
           such
           an
           Employment
           as
           this
           ,
           no
           wonder
           ,
           if
           it
           was
           Scandalous
           to
           be
           concern'd
           in
           it
           .
        
         
           But
           the
           Informing
           I
           am
           recommending
           is
           of
           another
           nature
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           to
           catch
           at
           an
           unwary
           expression
           which
           Malice
           may
           wrest
           to
           an
           ill
           meaning
           ,
           or
           when
           spoken
           under
           the
           Seal
           of
           Friendship
           .
           But
           it
           is
           ,
           acquainting
           our
           Governours
           and
           Magistrates
           with
           those
           Blasphemies
           ,
           and
           Oaths
           ,
           which
           are
           often
           vented
           in
           Publick
           ,
           and
           those
           other
           Instances
           of
           Lewdness
           and
           Immorality
           ,
           which
           are
           overt-acts
           of
           Treason
           and
           Rebellion
           ,
           against
           GOD.
           In
           such
           cases
           it
           is
           our
           Duty
           ,
           and
           we
           shou'd
           reckon
           it
           our
           Glory
           to
           be
           Informers
           ,
           since
           GOD
           himself
           at
           the
           Last
           Day
           will
           encrease
           our
           Honour
           ,
           for
           being
           thus
           Instrumental
           in
           Vindicating
           His.
           
        
         
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           the
           Enemies
           of
           Religion
           have
           been
           ,
           and
           still
           are
           very
           loud
           in
           their
           Clamours
           against
           this
           Practice
           ,
           and
           do
           with
           great
           Industry
           throw
           an
           Odium
           on
           those
           who
           make
           Conscience
           of
           
             Informing
             against
             them
          
           .
           But
           they
           have
           especially
           rais'd
           a
           mighty
           cry
           of
           Injustice
           ,
           against
           that
           
             manner
             of
             Informing
          
           ,
           which
           is
           found
           necessary
           to
           restrain
           
             Prophane
             Cursing
             and
             Swearing
          
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           when
           the
           Guilty
           Person
           knows
           not
           his
           Accuser
           .
           I
           shall
           therefore
           at
           present
           endeavour
           to
           Vindicate
           both
           these
           ,
           and
           shew
           that
           
             to
             Inform
          
           against
           Vice
           is
           every
           Mans
           Duty
           ,
           and
           that
           
             Private
             Informations
          
           are
           not
           only
           Just
           and
           Reasonable
           ,
           but
           of
           absolute
           Necessity
           .
           And
           this
           I
           hope
           will
           be
           judg'd
           no
           digression
           ,
           since
           it
           tends
           to
           confirm
           us
           in
           one
           of
           the
           most
           useful
           ,
           and
           necessary
           Expressions
           of
           our
           Zeal
           .
        
         
           I
           begin
           with
           the
           First
           of
           these
           ,
           which
           is
           to
           shew
           that
           we
           are
           strictly
           oblig'd
           in
           point
           of
           Duty
           ,
           to
           
             Inform
             against
             Prophaness
             and
             Vice.
          
           
        
         
         
           This
           will
           appear
           if
           we
           consider
        
         
           First
           ,
           The
           Commands
           and
           Examples
           which
           in
           Holy
           Scripture
           require
           it
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           If
           we
           consider
           the
           reasonableness
           and
           necessity
           of
           the
           thing
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           Let
           us
           consider
           the
           Commands
           and
           Examples
           which
           in
           Holy
           Scripture
           require
           it
           .
        
         
           And
           can
           any
           Command
           be
           more
           positive
           ,
           express
           and
           clear
           ,
           that
           what
           we
           find
           in
           the
           13
           th
           of
           Deut.
           from
           the
           6
           th
           to
           the
           12
           th
           verse
           ?
        
         
           
             If
             thy
             Brother
             ,
             the
             Son
             of
             thy
             Mother
             ,
             or
             thy
             Son
             or
             thy
             Daughter
             ,
             or
             the
             Wife
             of
             thy
             Bosom
             ,
             or
             thy
             Friend
             ,
             which
             is
             even
             as
             thy
             own
             Soul
             ,
             entice
             thee
             secretly
             saying
             ,
             let
             us
             go
             and
             serve
             others
             gods
             ,
             (
             which
             thou
             hast
             not
             known
             ,
             thou
             nor
             thy
             Father
             .
             )
          
        
         
           
             Thou
             shalt
             not
             consent
             unto
             him
             ,
             nor
             hearken
             unto
             him
             ,
             neither
             shall
             thine
             Eye
             pity
             him
             ,
             neither
             shalt
             thou
             spare
             him
             ,
          
           neither
           shalt
           thou
           conceal
           him
           .
        
         
           
             But
             thou
             shalt
             surely
             kill
             him
             ,
             thine
             Hand
             shall
             be
             first
             upon
             him
             ,
             to
             put
             him
             to
             Death
             ,
             and
             afterwards
             the
             Hands
             of
             all
             the
             People
             .
          
        
         
           
             And
             all
          
           Israel
           
             shall
             hear
             and
             fear
             ,
             and
             shall
             do
             no
             more
             any
             such
             Wickedness
             as
             this
             is
             among
             you
             .
          
        
         
           From
           which
           words
           it
           is
           plain
           ,
           that
           to
           Inform
           against
           dangerous
           Infectious
           Sins
           ,
           such
           as
           have
           a
           tendency
           to
           destroy
           Religion
           ,
           and
           the
           Worship
           of
           GOD
           ,
           is
           so
           in
           dispensable
           a
           Duty
           ,
           that
           no
           consideration
           of
           Blood
           or
           Friendship
           can
           excuse
           us
           from
           it
           :
           .
           Our
           Duty
           to
           GOD
           Cancells
           all
           Obligations
           to
           Men
           ;
           and
           nothing
           must
           be
           allow'd
           any
           compitition
           in
           his
           Love.
           Those
           who
           lye
           nearest
           our
           Hearts
           ,
           our
           Brothers
           ,
           and
           Wives
           ,
           and
           Children
           ,
           and
           our
           best
           Friends
           must
           be
           torn
           thence
           ,
           when
           GOD
           and
           our
           Duty
           call
           ;
           when
           His
           Service
           requires
           it
           ,
           who
           is
           our
           most
           Indulgent
           Father
           ,
           our
           Truest
           Friend
           ,
           and
           our
           most
           Generous
           Benefactor
           .
        
         
           But
           Idolatry
           was
           not
           the
           only
           Sin
           the
           Israelites
           thought
           themselves
           oblig'd
           to
           suppress
           by
           Informing
           against
           it
           ?
           
             Cursing
             and
             Blasphemy
          
           ,
           were
           to
           undergo
           the
           same
           just
           severity
           .
           As
           appears
           from
           the
           instance
           of
           the
           
             Israelitish
             Womans
             Son
          
           ,
           Lev.
           24.11
           ,
           12
           ,
           14.
           
           
             Who
             Blasphemed
             GOD
             and
             Cursed
          
           .
           Those
           who
           heard
           him
           ,
           were
           not
           troubl'd
           with
           that
           nice
           Honour
           ,
           some
           now
           a
           days
           pretend
           to
           ,
           and
           
           thought
           it
           no
           reflection
           upon
           them
           ,
           to
           acquaint
           
             Moses
             and
             Aaron
          
           with
           his
           Crime
           ,
           tho
           nothing
           less
           than
           his
           Death
           was
           the
           consequence
           of
           their
           Information
           .
           The
           Witnesses
           were
           Commanded
           
             to
             lay
             their
             Hands
             upon
             his
             Head
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             Congregation
             to
             Stone
             him
             with
             Stones
             till
             he
             Dy'd
             .
          
           And
           yet
           tho
           the
           Forfeiture
           of
           a
           small
           Sum
           of
           Money
           ,
           be
           all
           the
           Penalty
           inflicted
           among
           us
           ,
           for
           the
           Prophanest
           Oaths
           and
           Curses
           ,
           how
           few
           are
           there
           who
           have
           Zeal
           and
           Courage
           to
           exact
           even
           that
           !
           who
           do
           not
           let
           that
           Sin
           be
           often
           committed
           in
           their
           presence
           ,
           and
           yet
           are
           afraid
           or
           asham'd
           ,
           so
           much
           as
           to
           reprove
           it
           !
        
         
           Nor
           was
           the
           Sabbath-Breaker
           treated
           more
           gently
           than
           the
           Blasphemer
           ,
           by
           the
           People
           of
           
             Israel
             .
             They
             who
             found
             the
             Man
             gathering
             Sticks
             upon
             the
             Sabbath-Day
             ,
             immediately
             brought
             him
             to
          
           Moses
           and
           Aaron
           ,
           
             and
             all
             the
             Congregation
             ,
             and
             he
             was
             Stoned
             with
             Stones
             till
             he
             Dy'd
             .
          
           Numb
           .
           15.32
           .
           Had
           these
           Men
           liv'd
           among
           us
           ,
           how
           wou'd
           they
           have
           been
           Hated
           and
           Derided
           as
           Officious
           Informers
           ,
           who
           meddl'd
           in
           things
           ,
           that
           did
           not
           at
           all
           belong
           to
           them
           !
           But
           they
           were
           convinc'd
           that
           no
           Man
           ought
           to
           stand
           Neuter
           when
           the
           Laws
           of
           GOD
           are
           publickly
           Violated
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           cause
           of
           Religion
           every
           own
           shou'd
           esteem
           his
           own
           ,
           and
           espouse
           and
           promote
           it
           with
           the
           same
           Warmth
           and
           Resentment
           .
        
         
           But
           that
           it
           is
           our
           Duty
           to
           
             Inform
             against
             Prophaness
             and
             Vice
          
           ,
           will
           farther
           appear
           if
           we
           consider
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           The
           reasonableness
           and
           necessity
           of
           the
           thing
           .
        
         
           For
           is
           it
           not
           reasonable
           that
           Wickedness
           shou'd
           be
           Suppress'd
           ,
           and
           that
           Open
           Impieties
           shou'd
           be
           Punish'd
           and
           Corrected
           ?
           But
           this
           cannot
           be
           done
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           Infamous
           to
           Inform
           against
           them
           ;
           if
           the
           thing
           it self
           be
           necessary
           ,
           the
           means
           that
           lead
           to
           it
           ,
           must
           be
           necessary
           too
           ;
           and
           the
           most
           effectual
           are
           ,
           
             Constant
             Informations
          
           to
           the
           Magistrate
           .
           Without
           this
           our
           Laws
           against
           Vice
           have
           been
           made
           to
           little
           purpose
           ;
           and
           our
           Magistrates
           can
           but
           lamely
           Execute
           that
           part
           of
           their
           Charge
           ,
           of
           
             being
             a
             Terror
             to
             Evil-Doers
          
           .
           Therefore
           to
           make
           these
           Informations
           Dishonourable
           ,
           and
           to
           throw
           Contempt
           upon
           those
           who
           are
           most
           active
           in
           them
           ,
           is
           one
           of
           the
           Devils
           Arts
           to
           obstruct
           Piety
           ,
           and
           
             Reformation
             of
             Manners
          
           ,
           and
           whereby
           he
           supplants
           Religion
           ;
           which
           as
           matters
           now
           stand
           ,
           cannot
           be
           well
           secur'd
           without
           them
           .
        
         
         
           But
           the
           reasonableness
           and
           necessity
           of
           this
           Duty
           will
           be
           more
           evident
           ,
           if
           we
           consider
           that
           all
           Men
           allow
           it
           in
           other
           Cases
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           two
           great
           Fundamental
           Virtues
           of
           Religion
           ,
           Justice
           and
           Charity
           require
           it
           .
        
         
           I.
           All
           Men
           allow
           it
           in
           other
           Cases
           .
        
         
           Those
           Offences
           which
           are
           more
           directly
           committed
           against
           ,
           Men
           ,
           't
           is
           allowable
           ,
           't
           is
           Honourable
           to
           discover
           :
           If
           we
           know
           a
           Man
           Guilty
           of
           Murder
           ,
           or
           Robbery
           ,
           or
           Treason
           ,
           none
           ever
           thought
           it
           severe
           to
           Inform
           against
           him
           ;
           nay
           ,
           shou'd
           we
           conceal
           him
           ,
           we
           might
           justly
           be
           esteem'd
           Parties
           in
           his
           Crime
           .
           And
           is
           not
           the
           Case
           and
           Duty
           the
           same
           ,
           and
           shou'd
           not
           the
           Honour
           be
           so
           too
           ,
           with
           respect
           to
           those
           Sins
           which
           are
           immediately
           levell'd
           against
           GOD
           ?
           It
           is
           commendable
           to
           Inform
           against
           a
           Thief
           ,
           't
           is
           strange
           it
           shou'd
           be
           otherwise
           to
           bring
           a
           Blasphemer
           or
           a
           Prostitute
           to
           Punishment
           ;
           unless
           it
           be
           a
           much
           smaller
           Crime
           to
           affront
           GOD
           to
           his
           Face
           ,
           without
           the
           least
           Motive
           or
           Temptation
           ,
           than
           to
           meddle
           with
           our
           Neighbours
           Goods
           .
        
         
           How
           differently
           are
           Men
           Affected
           ,
           when
           sensibly
           touch'd
           in
           point
           of
           Worldly
           Interest
           ,
           and
           when
           only
           influenc'd
           by
           the
           considerations
           of
           their
           Duty
           to
           GOD
           !
           When
           wrong'd
           in
           their
           Fortunes
           ,
           they
           allow
           no
           limits
           to
           their
           Passions
           ,
           but
           are
           all
           Indignation
           and
           Resentment
           .
           Not
           all
           their
           Wit
           and
           Malice
           ,
           can
           find
           out
           Words
           sufficiently
           expressive
           of
           their
           Anger
           ,
           their
           Hatred
           ,
           and
           their
           Grief
           .
           Each
           Circumstance
           they
           aggravate
           ,
           yet
           pretend
           that
           the
           Injurie
           is
           greater
           than
           they
           can
           represent
           it
           ,
           they
           are
           big
           with
           Fury
           ,
           and
           travel
           with
           Revenge
           .
        
         
           And
           yet
           often
           the
           very
           same
           Persons
           can
           be
           unconcern'd
           Spectators
           ,
           of
           the
           most
           Heinous
           Sins
           against
           GOD.
           Can
           hear
           his
           Being
           Deny'd
           and
           every
           Attribute
           Contemned
           ,
           without
           any
           sensible
           Emotions
           within
           ,
           or
           any
           Attempts
           to
           Vindicate
           their
           Maker
           .
        
         
           This
           is
           but
           too
           evident
           even
           in
           our
           Publick
           Laws
           ,
           the
           Penalties
           of
           Crimes
           being
           not
           at
           all
           proportion'd
           to
           their
           being
           more
           or
           less
           hateful
           to
           GOD
           ,
           but
           the
           Mischiefs
           we
           imagine
           they
           occasion
           to
           Men.
           Thus
           to
           Steal
           is
           an
           Odious
           Sin
           ,
           and
           the
           Wretch
           that
           is
           Guilty
           of
           it
           ,
           must
           Dye
           .
           When
           Blaspemy
           and
           Perjury
           shall
           
           escape
           .
           And
           he
           who
           discovers
           a
           Thief
           shall
           be
           as
           sure
           of
           Glory
           ,
           as
           he
           who
           
             Informs
             against
             a
             Blasphemer
          
           shall
           be
           of
           Contempt
           and
           Hatred
           .
        
         
           But
           even
           in
           this
           particular
           ,
           Men
           are
           generally
           mistaken
           ,
           those
           Sins
           being
           always
           in
           the
           end
           most
           distructive
           to
           their
           Worldly
           Interests
           ,
           which
           are
           most
           Odious
           to
           GOD
           :
           This
           none
           can
           question
           who
           believe
           a
           particular
           Providence
           ,
           and
           that
           GOD
           is
           concern'd
           in
           the
           Government
           of
           the
           World
           :
           But
           will
           be
           more
           apparent
           when
           we
           consider
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           That
           the
           Two
           great
           Duties
           of
           Justice
           and
           Charity
           require
           this
           Practice
           of
           
             Informing
             against
             Prophaness
             and
             Vice.
          
           
        
         
           I.
           Justice
           requires
           it
           .
           Justice
           to
           out
           Country
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           Common-Wealth
           whereof
           we
           are
           Members
           ,
           we
           are
           oblig'd
           to
           it
           by
           the
           Laws
           of
           Society
           .
        
         
           All
           allow
           that
           we
           are
           unjust
           to
           our
           Country
           ,
           if
           we
           do
           not
           oppose
           whatever
           may
           bring
           Calamities
           upon
           it
           ,
           don't
           promote
           its
           Interest
           ,
           and
           labour
           to
           prevent
           its
           Ruin.
           Now
           this
           cannot
           be
           better
           done
           than
           by
           Informing
           against
           Vice
           and
           Prophaness
           ,
           and
           all
           Publick
           Wickedness
           ,
           and
           thereby
           putting
           a
           stop
           to
           those
           Courses
           ,
           which
           if
           unrestrained
           ,
           will
           make
           GOD
           our
           Enemy
           ,
           and
           bring
           down
           General
           Judgments
           upon
           us
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           when
           GOD
           Visits
           a
           Nation
           with
           Sword
           ,
           with
           Pestilence
           ,
           or
           Famine
           ,
           he
           regards
           no
           doubt
           Private
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Publick
           Sins
           ,
           and
           our
           most
           Secret
           Crimes
           add
           Fuel
           to
           the
           Common
           Flame
           :
           But
           yet
           General
           National
           Judgments
           ,
           are
           certainly
           the
           Effects
           of
           General
           National
           Sins
           ,
           of
           Publick
           uncontroul'd
           Wickedness
           .
           And
           when
           Societies
           or
           Nations
           are
           Punish'd
           ,
           it
           is
           for
           those
           Sins
           which
           Societies
           or
           Nations
           (
           consider'd
           as
           such
           )
           have
           committed
           .
           Particular
           Private
           Sins
           committed
           under
           the
           Shades
           of
           Night
           and
           Security
           of
           Retirement
           ,
           't
           is
           reasonable
           to
           believe
           shall
           only
           prove
           Fatal
           to
           the
           Offenders
           themselves
           ,
           but
           occasion
           no
           Publick
           Judgment
           ,
           draw
           down
           no
           Calamity
           upon
           the
           Society
           in
           general
           ;
           and
           the
           reason
           is
           ,
           because
           no
           Nation
           ,
           no
           Society
           can
           prevent
           these
           Secret
           Sins
           .
           They
           are
           beyond
           the
           reach
           of
           the
           severest
           Laws
           ,
           and
           exactest
           Justice
           ;
           no
           Eye
           sees
           them
           but
           that
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           therefore
           the
           Society
           is
           not
           accountable
           for
           them
           .
           
           But
           then
           a
           National
           Judgment
           may
           be
           justly
           fear'd
           ,
           when
           Vice
           grows
           Bold
           and
           Publick
           ;
           when
           it
           invades
           the
           Seats
           of
           Authority
           and
           Command
           ;
           and
           the
           Laws
           ,
           against
           it
           are
           laid
           asleep
           .
           When
           like
           Serpents
           ,
           Warm'd
           by
           the
           Influence
           of
           the
           Sun
           above
           them
           ,
           it
           leaves
           its
           dark
           retreats
           and
           creeps
           abroad
           ,
           filling
           every
           place
           with
           confus'd
           Hisses
           ,
           and
           scattering
           its
           Poyson
           round
           about
           .
           Then
           is
           GOD's
           Honour
           concern'd
           to
           Punish
           such
           wicked
           Nations
           ,
           they
           are
           Ripe
           for
           Ruin
           ,
           and
           Storms
           and
           Thunder
           are
           hovering
           about
           their
           Heads
           .
        
         
           But
           if
           we
           are
           just
           to
           our
           Country
           ,
           and
           true
           to
           its
           Interest
           ,
           we
           will
           not
           share
           in
           the
           Guilt
           of
           Publick
           Wickedness
           ,
           by
           neglecting
           it
           ;
           but
           do
           our
           part
           to
           have
           it
           check'd
           in
           time
           ,
           before
           it
           has
           gather'd
           great
           Strength
           ,
           and
           lost
           all
           Modesty
           ;
           is
           become
           too
           Impudent
           to
           be
           asham'd
           ,
           too
           Strong
           to
           be
           resisted
           .
           Magistrates
           alone
           are
           not
           able
           to
           do
           all
           this
           ,
           the
           most
           Zealous
           among
           them
           ,
           can
           of
           themselves
           take
           Cognizance
           but
           of
           few
           Crimes
           ;
           few
           daring
           to
           be
           
             Prophane
             before
             them
          
           ,
           unless
           encourag'd
           by
           their
           Connivance
           or
           invited
           by
           their
           Example
           .
           And
           therefore
           if
           we
           wou'd
           effectually
           discharge
           our
           Duty
           to
           our
           Country
           ,
           me
           must
           make
           Conscience
           of
           Informing
           against
           Vice
           ,
           now
           especially
           when
           we
           have
           Magistrates
           ,
           who
           make
           Conscience
           of
           punishing
           it
           ;
           Then
           we
           ,
           might
           hope
           to
           see
           our
           Country
           Prosper
           ,
           and
           the
           Sun
           daily
           Shining
           and
           Smiling
           upon
           us
           .
           And
           tho
           some
           might
           be
           still
           secretly
           Wicked
           ,
           yet
           they
           durst
           not
           be
           openly
           so
           ,
           in
           defiance
           of
           Religion
           and
           the
           Laws
           .
           To
           be
           Lewd
           and
           Prophane
           ,
           wou'd
           no
           more
           be
           Gentile
           Accomplishments
           ;
           Impiety
           wou'd
           no
           longer
           dare
           to
           appear
           at
           Noon-Day
           ,
           but
           like
           a
           Ghost
           ,
           wou'd
           Flye
           the
           Light
           ,
           and
           retire
           to
           its
           Native
           Darkness
           .
        
         
           But
           to
           
             Inform
             against
             Prophaness
             and
             Vice
          
           ,
           is
           Secondly
           a
           Duty
           of
           Charity
           as
           well
           as
           of
           Justice
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           It
           is
           great
           Charity
           to
           the
           Poor
           ,
           who
           are
           thereby
           considerably
           releiv'd
           ;
           and
           this
           is
           Charity
           and
           Prudence
           both
           ,
           making
           Mens
           Vices
           do
           that
           ,
           which
           out
           of
           Conscience
           they
           never
           did
           ,
           Contribute
           towards
           the
           Maintenance
           of
           the
           Needy
           .
           This
           is
           to
           extract
           the
           greatest
           Good
           ,
           out
           of
           the
           greatest
           Evil
           ;
           an
           Antidote
           from
           Poyson
           .
        
         
         
           Again
           't
           is
           Charity
           even
           to
           those
           who
           are
           Punish'd
           .
           For
           Admonitions
           and
           Advices
           ,
           are
           commonly
           lost
           upon
           a
           hardned
           Swearer
           ;
           they
           inflame
           his
           Passions
           ,
           and
           make
           him
           renew
           his
           Sin
           ;
           But
           when
           he
           finds
           that
           his
           Oaths
           begin
           to
           be
           Expensive
           to
           him
           ,
           without
           any
           Compensation
           of
           Pleasure
           or
           Profit
           ,
           by
           that
           he
           will
           probably
           be
           awakn'd
           to
           see
           the
           folly
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           totally
           at
           last
           forbear
           them
           .
           When
           a
           Man
           has
           suffer'd
           pretty
           often
           for
           
             Prophaning
             the
             Lords-Day
          
           ,
           he
           will
           at
           last
           leave
           it
           off
           ,
           and
           contract
           an
           Habitual
           Reverence
           for
           It.
           Now
           't
           is
           Charity
           to
           break
           a
           Man
           of
           those
           Practices
           ,
           which
           if
           ,
           persever'd
           in
           ,
           will
           ruin
           him
           for
           ever
           ,
           let
           the
           Methods
           of
           doing
           it
           be
           never
           so
           disobliging
           .
           'T
           is
           Charity
           to
           Cure
           a
           Mad-Man
           of
           his
           Frenzy
           ,
           even
           by
           Chains
           and
           Scourges
           ,
           tho
           in
           the
           mean
           time
           he
           hates
           nothing
           so
           much
           as
           his
           Physician
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           'T
           is
           great
           Charity
           to
           the
           Youth
           of
           this
           present
           Age
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           succeeding
           Generations
           also
           .
           To
           the
           Youth
           of
           this
           present
           Age
           ,
           whose
           Minds
           are
           yet
           tender
           and
           uncorrupted
           ,
           't
           is
           great
           Charity
           to
           remove
           from
           them
           the
           Contagious
           Poyson
           of
           Vice
           and
           Prophaness
           .
           For
           it
           is
           the
           Wickedness
           of
           the
           Aged
           that
           corrupts
           our
           Youth
           ,
           and
           the
           Example
           of
           the
           one
           ,
           has
           a
           Fatal
           Influence
           upon
           the
           other
           .
           But
           we
           wou'd
           need
           little
           pains
           to
           make
           those
           who
           are
           Young
           Honour
           
           GOD's
           Name
           ,
           if
           we
           cou'd
           so
           effectually
           suppress
           Swearing
           ,
           that
           those
           who
           are
           Old
           durst
           not
           be
           their
           Patterns
           in
           that
           Sin.
           And
           our
           Youth
           wou'd
           of
           themselves
           Reverence
           the
           Lords-Day
           ,
           were
           the
           Laws
           so
           well
           Executed
           that
           others
           durst
           not
           Prophane
           it
           .
           But
           this
           never
           can
           be
           done
           ,
           unless
           we
           all
           think
           it
           our
           Duty
           to
           Inform
           against
           the
           Prophane
           and
           Vicious
           ;
           and
           unless
           Magistrates
           Encourage
           such
           Informations
           .
        
         
           Then
           for
           the
           
             Succeeding
             Generations
          
           ,
           it
           is
           Charity
           to
           them
           to
           put
           a
           stop
           to
           Wickedness
           ,
           and
           hinder
           it
           from
           descending
           upon
           them
           ;
           for
           wou'd
           it
           not
           be
           better
           for
           them
           never
           to
           be
           Born
           ,
           than
           to
           come
           into
           a
           World
           to
           Corrupted
           ,
           that
           it
           wou'd
           be
           miraculous
           to
           escape
           Infection
           ;
           than
           to
           be
           Born
           to
           Sin
           here
           ,
           and
           Misery
           hereafter
           .
           But
           if
           we
           have
           any
           Charity
           for
           those
           who
           are
           to
           succeed
           us
           ,
           we
           will
           be
           very
           Zealous
           in
           suppressing
           all
           sorts
           of
           Wickedness
           now
           ,
           and
           give
           continual
           Informations
           against
           those
           who
           dare
           be
           publickly
           Guilty
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           so
           we
           shall
           entail
           upon
           our
           
           Posperity
           ,
           with
           our
           Fortunes
           ,
           a
           more
           valuable
           
             Inheritance
             ,
             Piety
             and
             Virtue
          
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           
             Blessings
             of
             Heaven
          
           .
        
         
           Upon
           the
           whole
           .
           To
           Inform
           against
           Prophaness
           and
           Vice
           ;
           is
           what
           GOD's
           Law
           does
           positively
           enjoyn
           and
           require
           .
           And
           it
           is
           recommended
           to
           us
           by
           some
           Excellent
           Examples
           recorded
           in
           Scripture
           .
           It
           is
           highly
           reasonable
           and
           necessary
           ,
           all
           Men
           esteem
           it
           so
           in
           other
           Parallel
           Cases
           :
           Our
           Duty
           to
           our
           
             Country
             ,
             Charity
             to
             the
             Poor
             ,
          
           and
           to
           the
           Offenders
           themselves
           ;
           to
           the
           Youth
           of
           this
           present
           Age
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           Generations
           which
           are
           yet
           for
           to
           come
           ,
           do
           all
           oblige
           us
           to
           it
           .
           And
           surely
           these
           considerations
           are
           sufficient
           to
           Vindicate
           this
           Practice
           ,
           and
           recommend
           it
           too
           to
           Christians
           ,
           those
           especially
           who
           are
           
             Zealously
             Aflected
             in
             good
             things
          
           ,
           let
           those
           who
           want
           Zeal
           or
           Courage
           to
           undertake
           it
           ,
           or
           who
           have
           been
           corrected
           by
           it
           ,
           revile
           and
           censure
           it
           as
           they
           please
           .
        
         
           I
           therefore
           hope
           that
           you
           will
           go
           on
           in
           the
           way
           wherein
           you
           have
           hitherto
           walked
           ,
           and
           persevere
           in
           a
           Duty
           so
           pleasing
           to
           GOD
           ,
           so
           reasonable
           and
           necessary
           ,
           and
           which
           Justice
           and
           Charity
           both
           require
           .
           And
           will
           not
           be
           Frightn'd
           by
           the
           loudest
           Clamours
           ,
           the
           unjustest
           Reflections
           ,
           or
           most
           Malicious
           Accusations
           of
           your
           Enemies
           .
           For
           if
           your
           Informations
           be
           disinteressed
           and
           impartial
           ,
           without
           respect
           of
           Persons
           ,
           or
           regard
           to
           temporal
           Advantage
           .
           If
           they
           gratifie
           no
           Passion
           ,
           but
           
             Religious
             Zeal
          
           ,
           (
           and
           such
           I
           believe
           yours
           have
           been
           ,
           and
           such
           I
           hope
           they
           will
           always
           be
           )
           then
           sure
           I
           am
           ,
           good
           Men
           will
           Love
           and
           Praise
           ,
           GOD
           will
           Reward
           you
           for
           them
           .
        
         
           I
           now
           proceed
           in
           the
           
             Second
             place
          
           ,
           To
           justifie
           
             Private
             Informations
          
           ,
           which
           are
           found
           absolutely
           necessary
           to
           restrain
           Common
           Swearing
           ,
           
             so
             that
             they
             who
             are
             Punish'd
             shall
             not
             know
             who
             Inform'd
             against
             them
             .
          
        
         
           Were
           we
           to
           pass
           Judgment
           upon
           this
           Practice
           only
           by
           the
           violent
           Out-cries
           of
           many
           against
           it
           ,
           we
           cou'd
           not
           but
           condemn
           it
           as
           the
           greatest
           Injustice
           and
           Cruelty
           in
           the
           World.
           The
           Multitude
           of
           the
           Jews
           did
           not
           cry
           more
           loudly
           against
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           
             Crucifie
             him
             ,
             Crucifie
             him
          
           .
           And
           it
           is
           to
           be
           fear'd
           that
           some
           among
           us
           ,
           
             like
             Pilate
          
           ,
           are
           born
           down
           by
           Tumult
           and
           popular
           Noise
           ,
           to
           pass
           Sentence
           contrary
           to
           the
           Dictates
           of
           their
           own
           Minds
           :
           
             To
             
             Condemn
             the
             Innocent
             ,
             and
             Release
             the
             Guilty
             .
          
           But
           Innocence
           is
           what
           all
           pretend
           to
           ,
           and
           the
           most
           Prophane
           will
           seldom
           plead
           Guilty
           .
           
             It
             is
             these
             Private
             Informers
             ,
             say
             they
             ,
             who
             have
             a
             load
             of
             Guilt
             to
             answer
             for
             ;
             their
             Informations
             being
             justly
             charg'd
             with
             Malice
             and
             Falshood
             ,
             and
             the
             Magistrates
             who
             countenance
             them
             with
             Avarice
             and
             Oppression
             .
          
           And
           must
           we
           not
           allow
           it
           to
           be
           wondrous
           hard
           ,
           that
           any
           restraints
           shou'd
           be
           lay'd
           upon
           a
           Blaspheming
           Tongue
           !
           That
           Men
           cannot
           use
           at
           pleasure
           ,
           the
           privilege
           of
           Speech
           ,
           which
           Nature
           has
           given
           them
           !
           Cannot
           publickly
           Affront
           GOD
           ,
           and
           imprecate
           Damnation
           to
           all
           about
           them
           ,
           so
           many
           Sawcy
           Informers
           lurking
           every
           where
           !
           Is
           it
           not
           harder
           still
           that
           they
           shou'd
           not
           know
           who
           
             these
             Invaders
          
           of
           their
           
             Unchrististian
             Liberty
          
           are
           ;
           who
           by
           being
           thus
           conceal'd
           from
           their
           knowledge
           ,
           are
           secur'd
           from
           their
           Revenge
           ,
           and
           so
           they
           cannot
           make
           them
           feel
           the
           Effects
           of
           their
           Indignation
           and
           Resentment
           !
        
         
           But
           our
           Magistrates
           it
           seems
           are
           of
           another
           Mind
           ,
           and
           see
           no
           unreasonable
           Severity
           in
           this
           method
           of
           proceeding
           .
           And
           indeed
           the
           Sin
           of
           
             Common
             Swearing
          
           must
           be
           so
           hateful
           to
           all
           good
           Men
           ,
           that
           to
           suppress
           it
           they
           cannot
           judge
           any
           thing
           severe
           ,
           if
           but
           agreeable
           even
           to
           
             Rigorous
             Justice
          
           .
           But
           
             Private
             Informations
          
           against
           Swearers
           ,
           are
           very
           just
           ,
           and
           highly
           
             expedient
             and
             necessary
          
           :
           they
           very
           much
           promote
           the
           end
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           yet
           are
           Injurious
           to
           none
           ;
           nay
           even
           they
           who
           are
           most
           frequently
           punish'd
           by
           them
           ,
           have
           no
           good
           reason
           to
           desire
           that
           the
           practice
           shou'd
           be
           otherwise
           .
           All
           which
           I
           shall
           now
           endeavour
           to
           prove
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           I
           am
           to
           shew
           that
           
             Private
             Informations
          
           against
           
             Common
             Swearers
          
           are
           just
           .
        
         
           Now
           that
           Practice
           is
           just
           ,
           whereby
           the
           end
           of
           an
           Excellent
           Law
           is
           very
           much
           promoted
           ,
           yet
           none
           at
           all
           injur'd
           nor
           wrong'd
           .
           And
           such
           is
           the
           Practice
           of
           
             Private
             Informations
          
           .
           For
           is
           the
           Person
           against
           whom
           the
           Information
           is
           given
           ,
           Guilty
           of
           the
           Crime
           ,
           with
           which
           he
           is
           charg'd
           ?
           Then
           where
           is
           the
           wrong
           ,
           if
           he
           be
           Discover'd
           and
           Punish'd
           for
           it
           ?
           Justice
           requires
           that
           he
           shou'd
           not
           escape
           ,
           and
           whither
           the
           Information
           be
           Publick
           or
           Private
           ,
           provided
           it
           be
           true
           ,
           he
           has
           no
           hardship
           to
           complain
           of
           :
           He
           has
           Committed
           a
           very
           Heinous
           Sin
           ;
           and
           is
           he
           wrong'd
           ,
           because
           he
           
           suffers
           the
           Penalty
           of
           the
           Law
           ?
           And
           indeed
           it
           is
           notorious
           that
           they
           who
           are
           loudest
           in
           their
           Complaints
           against
           
             Private
             Informations
          
           ,
           are
           the
           most
           Criminal
           ,
           they
           who
           are
           oftenest
           and
           always
           justly
           punish'd
           .
           The
           true
           cause
           of
           their
           Anger
           ,
           is
           the
           Penalty
           they
           suffer
           ,
           the
           manner
           of
           the
           Information
           only
           a
           pretence
           .
           Let
           them
           Swear
           on
           and
           take
           no
           notice
           of
           their
           Oaths
           ,
           and
           they
           will
           be
           very
           modest
           in
           their
           Censures
           ,
           of
           
             Private
             Informations
          
           .
        
         
           I
           suppose
           then
           it
           will
           be
           granted
           that
           
             Private
             Informations
          
           are
           just
           ,
           if
           they
           are
           true
           .
           That
           which
           makes
           an
           Information
           unjust
           ,
           is
           the
           falshood
           of
           it
           .
           And
           whither
           Informations
           shou'd
           be
           Publick
           or
           Private
           ,
           is
           rather
           a
           Consideration
           of
           Expediency
           than
           Justice
           .
           There
           are
           some
           Cases
           in
           which
           
             Private
             Informations
          
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           allow'd
           ,
           there
           are
           others
           in
           which
           they
           are
           highly
           necessary
           .
           The
           reason
           why
           in
           most
           Cases
           Informations
           ought
           to
           be
           Publick
           ,
           is
           to
           prevent
           and
           discourage
           
             Perjury
             and
             Revenge
          
           .
           For
           if
           all
           Informations
           were
           to
           be
           Private
           ,
           and
           the
           Informers
           never
           known
           nor
           punish'd
           (
           when
           they
           deserv'd
           it
           )
           then
           no
           Man
           cou'd
           be
           secure
           either
           of
           his
           Fortune
           or
           his
           Life
           .
           But
           if
           none
           of
           these
           ill
           Consequences
           can
           attend
           
             Private
             Informations
          
           against
           Swearing
           ,
           if
           they
           are
           no
           Encouragement
           to
           
             Wilful
             Perjury
          
           ,
           and
           at
           the
           same
           time
           are
           highly
           necessary
           to
           suppress
           that
           
             Sin
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             Original
             Cause
             of
             most
             Perjuries
             ,
             taking
             off
             all
             Reverence
             for
             GOD
             ,
             and
             an
             Oath
          
           ;
           if
           the
           Case
           be
           so
           ,
           then
           I
           think
           such
           
             Private
             Informations
          
           are
           very
           free
           from
           Injustice
           .
        
         
           Now
           to
           be
           Convinc'd
           of
           this
           ,
           I
           wou'd
           have
           you
           consider
           ,
           that
           whoever
           knowingly
           
             Perjures
             himself
          
           to
           Injure
           another
           ,
           must
           be
           suppos'd
           to
           do
           it
           ,
           either
           to
           procure
           some
           
             Temporal
             Advantage
          
           ,
           or
           to
           prevent
           some
           great
           Evil
           ,
           or
           to
           gratifie
           his
           Passion
           of
           Revenge
           .
           It
           argues
           the
           most
           Uncharitable
           Savage
           Temper
           ;
           to
           believe
           that
           any
           Man
           will
           go
           deliberately
           about
           the
           Sin
           of
           Perjury
           ,
           without
           any
           
             Motive
             ,
             Inducement
          
           ,
           or
           Temptation
           .
           That
           he
           will
           at
           the
           same
           time
           dishonour
           GOD
           ,
           wrong
           his
           Neighbour
           ,
           and
           contract
           the
           Guilt
           of
           a
           very
           Heinous
           Sin
           himself
           ,
           and
           yet
           gratifie
           no
           Passion
           by
           it
           ,
           neither
           excite
           any
           hope
           of
           Reward
           ,
           nor
           remove
           any
           fear
           of
           Punishment
           ,
           nor
           calm
           any
           Violent
           Resentment
           .
           And
           yet
           this
           is
           really
           the
           case
           ,
           with
           respect
           to
           
             Private
             Informations
          
           against
           
           Swearing
           .
           
             The
             Informers
          
           are
           to
           have
           no
           share
           ,
           in
           what
           the
           Swearers
           are
           forc'd
           to
           pay
           .
           Nor
           are
           the
           Magistrates
           further
           concern'd
           ,
           than
           to
           Execute
           the
           Law.
           The
           Money
           is
           wholly
           
             for
             the
             use
             of
             the
             Poor
             .
          
           Nor
           can
           the
           Poor
           be
           wrong'd
           ,
           of
           what
           they
           are
           thus
           Intitl'd
           to
           ,
           unless
           there
           be
           a
           Confederacy
           of
           the
           Informers
           and
           Magistrates
           ,
           of
           the
           
             Ministers
             ,
             Church-Wardens
          
           ,
           and
           
             Over-seers
             of
             the
             Poor
          
           to
           do
           it
           .
           And
           as
           none
           are
           tempted
           by
           Rewards
           to
           Perjure
           themselves
           ,
           neither
           are
           they
           mov'd
           by
           Fear
           .
           They
           suffer
           no
           Penalty
           if
           they
           do
           not
           Inform
           ;
           none
           will
           be
           angry
           if
           they
           forbear
           ,
           but
           they
           will
           be
           sure
           of
           Hatred
           if
           they
           do
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           there
           is
           one
           sort
           of
           Fear
           has
           some
           influence
           upon
           them
           .
           And
           that
           is
           the
           Fear
           of
           the
           Great
           GOD
           of
           Heaven
           .
           They
           are
           under
           too
           great
           an
           Awe
           of
           that
           Infinite
           Beeing
           ,
           not
           to
           bring
           those
           to
           Punishment
           who
           dare
           Prophane
           his
           Name
           .
           Then
           as
           to
           Revenge
           that
           can
           never
           be
           a
           motive
           with
           our
           Informers
           ,
           to
           be
           Guilty
           of
           Perjury
           ;
           having
           no
           Personal
           acquaintance
           with
           most
           of
           those
           ,
           against
           whom
           they
           do
           Inform
           ,
           and
           having
           never
           receiv'd
           the
           least
           Injury
           from
           them
           .
        
         
           Some
           I
           know
           will
           be
           apt
           to
           say
           ,
           that
           many
           even
           
             True
             Informations
          
           proceed
           from
           Malice
           and
           Resentment
           ,
           from
           Quarrels
           and
           a
           Revengeful
           Spirit
           .
           And
           certainly
           of
           all
           Men
           ,
           
             Common
             Swearers
          
           have
           most
           reason
           to
           believe
           ,
           that
           they
           will
           meet
           with
           the
           Effects
           of
           other
           Mens
           Displeasure
           ,
           since
           they
           must
           be
           Conscious
           to
           themselves
           ,
           that
           by
           their
           Rage
           and
           Passion
           they
           have
           often
           not
           only
           affronted
           GOD
           ,
           but
           provok'd
           their
           Neighbour
           :
           And
           no
           Man
           will
           pity
           them
           ,
           if
           this
           be
           sometimes
           their
           own
           case
           ;
           nor
           can
           that
           be
           Condemn'd
           as
           Revenge
           ,
           which
           goes
           no
           farther
           than
           the
           Execution
           of
           a
           just
           and
           reasonable
           Law.
           But
           there
           is
           no
           great
           ground
           among
           us
           ,
           for
           this
           Uncharitable
           Observation
           ,
           the
           most
           
             Diligent
             Informers
          
           being
           freest
           from
           Revenge
           ,
           and
           who
           wish
           the
           Guilty
           Persons
           no
           greater
           harm
           ,
           than
           Repentance
           and
           Reformation
           .
           Yet
           suppose
           it
           shou'd
           be
           so
           ,
           that
           Malice
           or
           Revenge
           were
           at
           the
           Bottom
           of
           some
           Informations
           ;
           of
           such
           every
           good
           Man
           will
           say
           (
           with
           St.
           Paul
           in
           another
           case
           )
           so
           Swearing
           be
           suppress'd
           
             whither
             it
             be
             done
             out
             of
             Strife
             or
             good
             Will
             ,
             I
             do
             rejoice
             ,
             yea
             and
             will
             rejoice
             .
          
           Phi.
           1.15
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           when
           a
           Mans
           Life
           or
           Estate
           is
           at
           Stake
           .
           it
           is
           reasonable
           
           he
           shou'd
           be
           Publickly
           Try'd
           and
           Confronted
           ,
           with
           his
           Accusers
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           a
           great
           Excellency
           in
           our
           Law
           ,
           that
           it
           r●quires
           such
           Publick
           Tryals
           ,
           so
           that
           no
           Man
           shall
           be
           Condemn'd
           without
           being
           allow'd
           to
           make
           his
           Defence
           .
           But
           when
           a
           Pecuniary
           Mulct
           is
           all
           the
           Punishment
           to
           be
           inflicted
           on
           a
           Swearer
           ,
           for
           a
           Sin
           hateful
           to
           GOD
           and
           Man
           ,
           he
           is
           intitled
           to
           no
           such
           Favour
           .
           The
           Laws
           against
           Swearing
           are
           just
           ,
           which
           in
           other
           Cases
           wou'd
           seem
           severe
           .
           That
           Sin
           has
           no
           Temptation
           to
           Extenuate
           its
           Guilt
           ,
           and
           therefore
           the
           utmost
           Rigour
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           is
           but
           too
           gentle
           a
           Punishment
           for
           it
           .
           And
           indeed
           it
           is
           very
           plain
           that
           our
           Law-Makers
           design
           was
           ,
           that
           Swearers
           shou'd
           be
           treated
           after
           another
           manner
           than
           most
           other
           Criminals
           ;
           because
           by
           the
           Statute
           against
           Swearing
           ,
           the
           Oath
           of
           one
           Person
           is
           sufficient
           to
           make
           them
           lyable
           ,
           to
           the
           Penalty
           of
           it
           .
           And
           that
           it
           was
           their
           intention
           that
           the
           Informers
           shou'd
           in
           many
           cases
           be
           kept
           secret
           ;
           at
           least
           that
           a
           discretionary
           power
           shou'd
           be
           lodg'd
           in
           the
           Magistrate
           to
           conceal
           them
           ,
           when
           he
           saw
           a
           reasonable
           cause
           of
           so
           doing
           ,
           we
           have
           reason
           to
           believe
           from
           hence
           ,
           because
           they
           cou'd
           not
           but
           foresee
           ,
           that
           the
           constant
           discovery
           of
           the
           Informers
           ,
           must
           needs
           discourage
           many
           from
           Informing
           ,
           and
           prove
           a
           great
           Obstruction
           to
           the
           due
           Execution
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           if
           not
           render
           it
           entirely
           useless
           .
           Besides
           ,
           Private
           Informations
           ,
           are
           much
           more
           allowable
           against
           Swearing
           ,
           than
           in
           any
           other
           Case
           that
           can
           happen
           .
           For
           he
           who
           Informs
           against
           a
           Swearer
           ,
           proceeds
           upon
           very
           different
           motives
           ,
           from
           those
           who
           Inform
           against
           Felons
           or
           Traytors
           ,
           or
           are
           Witnesses
           in
           Disputes
           betwixt
           particular
           Men.
           In
           cases
           of
           Felony
           ,
           those
           who
           are
           injur'd
           ,
           Prosecute
           the
           Felon
           ,
           and
           spare
           neither
           Expence
           nor
           Trouble
           ,
           to
           find
           out
           the
           Truth
           .
           They
           will
           invite
           Men
           to
           a
           Discovery
           ,
           by
           Proposals
           of
           Reward
           ,
           and
           can
           compel
           those
           (
           who
           may
           be
           otherwise
           unwilling
           )
           to
           declare
           upon
           Oath
           what
           they
           know
           .
           And
           the
           same
           Methods
           are
           taken
           in
           all
           Disputes
           at
           Law.
           In
           Cases
           of
           Treason
           ,
           Honours
           ,
           Preferments
           and
           Estates
           are
           promis'd
           ,
           and
           liberally
           bestow'd
           to
           Encourage
           Informations
           .
           And
           't
           is
           necessary
           it
           shou'd
           be
           so
           ,
           the
           publick
           safety
           being
           so
           nearly
           concern'd
           .
           But
           they
           who
           Inform
           against
           Swearers
           ,
           have
           no
           Rewards
           to
           Tempt
           them
           ,
           nor
           are
           they
           compell'd
           by
           any
           Fears
           .
           From
           Men
           they
           
           suffer
           nothing
           if
           they
           do
           not
           Inform
           ,
           they
           gain
           nothing
           if
           they
           do
           .
           And
           are
           acted
           only
           by
           a
           
             Generous
             Zeal
          
           ,
           for
           the
           Honour
           and
           Servi●e
           of
           GOD.
           
        
         
           'T
           is
           hard
           ,
           I
           confess
           ,
           if
           not
           impossible
           ,
           for
           Laws
           to
           be
           so
           contriv'd
           ,
           but
           some
           way
           or
           other
           they
           may
           be
           perverted
           and
           abus'd
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           Case
           now
           before
           us
           ,
           I
           think
           the
           Question
           is
           not
           ,
           whither
           ever
           an
           Innocent
           Person
           was
           mistaken
           and
           accus'd
           as
           Guilty
           :
           But
           which
           sort
           of
           
             Informations
             ,
             Publick
          
           or
           Private
           ,
           is
           attended
           with
           the
           worst
           Consequences
           ,
           and
           clog'd
           with
           the
           most
           Inconveniencies
           ?
           Whither
           it
           be
           not
           better
           and
           more
           Expedient
           ,
           to
           have
           Swearing
           suppress'd
           by
           
             Private
             Informations
          
           ,
           though
           it
           shou'd
           happen
           through
           Inadvertency
           and
           Errour
           ,
           that
           once
           in
           an
           Age
           ,
           one
           who
           was
           not
           Guilty
           of
           that
           Sin
           ,
           shou'd
           be
           Accus'd
           and
           Punish'd
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           had
           been
           Guilty
           :
           Or
           an
           Informer
           shou'd
           be
           acted
           by
           unwarrantable
           Principles
           ,
           or
           some
           base
           Passion
           ?
           Than
           by
           obliging
           Magistrates
           always
           to
           discover
           the
           Informers
           ,
           to
           have
           the
           main
           end
           of
           so
           good
           a
           Law
           ,
           against
           a
           Sin
           so
           Heinous
           ,
           and
           yet
           so
           prevailing
           ,
           in
           a
           great
           measure
           defeated
           ?
           And
           this
           leads
           me
           in
           the
        
         
           
             Second
             place
          
           ,
           To
           shew
           that
           
             Private
             Informations
          
           are
           not
           only
           Just
           ,
           but
           highly
           
             Expedient
             and
             Necessary
          
           .
           And
           they
           are
           so
           ,
        
         
           I.
           Because
           
             Private
             Informations
          
           lay
           greater
           restraints
           upon
           Swearers
           ,
           than
           they
           wou'd
           otherwise
           be
           under
           .
           Men
           will
           be
           afraid
           to
           Swear
           in
           Publick
           ,
           when
           they
           do
           not
           know
           but
           some
           present
           may
           Inform
           against
           them
           ,
           yet
           they
           never
           know
           who
           they
           are
           .
           Now
           the
           End
           of
           Laws
           is
           rather
           to
           hinder
           Men
           from
           doing
           Evil
           ,
           than
           to
           Punish
           them
           for
           it
           .
           And
           if
           this
           be
           better
           answer'd
           by
           
             Private
             Informations
          
           ,
           than
           it
           cou'd
           be
           were
           they
           still
           to
           be
           Publick
           :
           If
           they
           make
           Men
           timerous
           and
           reserv'd
           ,
           and
           very
           cautious
           how
           they
           openly
           Blaspheme
           GOD
           ,
           since
           they
           cannot
           be
           sure
           ,
           but
           some
           Informers
           tho
           unknown
           ,
           are
           present
           :
           Does
           not
           all
           this
           shew
           the
           Expediency
           and
           Necessity
           ,
           of
           such
           
             Private
             Informations
          
           ?
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           the
           presence
           of
           GOD
           shou'd
           have
           a
           stronger
           Influence
           upon
           us
           ,
           than
           of
           the
           whole
           World
           ,
           and
           his
           Judgments
           shou'd
           be
           dreaded
           more
           ,
           then
           all
           that
           Man
           can
           do
           .
           But
           since
           we
           find
           it
           otherwise
           ,
           our
           Laws
           must
           be
           accordingly
           contriv'd
           
           and
           executed
           ,
           that
           they
           who
           are
           so
           Impious
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           be
           afraid
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           may
           yet
           be
           kept
           under
           all
           possible
           restraints
           by
           Men.
           
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           
             Private
             Informations
          
           are
           necessary
           ,
           because
           they
           secure
           the
           Informers
           ,
           from
           the
           Rage
           and
           Insults
           ,
           of
           Malicious
           and
           Revengeful
           Men.
           For
           what
           reason
           can
           Swearers
           have
           ,
           with
           so
           much
           Eagerness
           and
           Passion
           ,
           to
           desire
           to
           know
           who
           Inform'd
           against
           them
           ?
           Can
           it
           be
           any
           other
           ,
           than
           that
           they
           may
           Study
           how
           to
           be
           Reveng'd
           of
           them
           ,
           for
           what
           they
           judge
           a
           great
           Injury
           ,
           tho
           in
           reality
           a
           great
           Favour
           .
           Now
           that
           which
           makes
           Swearers
           so
           Inquisitive
           after
           Informers
           ,
           shou'd
           make
           Magistrates
           conceal
           them
           .
           The
           Prudence
           and
           Zeal
           of
           the
           one
           ,
           shou'd
           be
           a
           security
           against
           the
           Malice
           of
           the
           other
           .
           And
           surely
           all
           Laws
           shou'd
           be
           so
           contriv'd
           ,
           that
           they
           who
           are
           Zealous
           for
           the
           Execution
           of
           them
           ,
           may
           not
           suffer
           by
           it
           .
           And
           since
           they
           who
           Inform
           against
           Swearing
           ,
           reap
           no
           Temporal
           Advantage
           thereby
           ,
           can
           it
           be
           reasonable
           to
           expose
           them
           to
           Infamy
           ,
           and
           Shame
           ,
           and
           Ruin.
           Which
           wou'd
           be
           unavoidable
           ,
           if
           they
           were
           commonly
           known
           .
        
         
           And
           that
           it
           wou'd
           be
           so
           ,
           will
           appear
           very
           evident
           if
           we
           consider
           what
           is
           notorious
           to
           all
           ,
           that
           they
           who
           are
           most
           
             Zealous
             in
             pressing
             Swearing
          
           by
           constant
           Informations
           ,
           are
           of
           the
           lower
           Rank
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           who
           support
           their
           Families
           ,
           by
           Industry
           and
           constant
           Labour
           :
           But
           that
           they
           who
           are
           most
           Guilty
           ,
           and
           most
           commonly
           Punish'd
           ,
           are
           considerable
           for
           their
           Stations
           and
           Fortunes
           ,
           or
           formidable
           for
           their
           United
           Numbers
           :
           
             As
             Officers
             of
             the
             Army
             and
             Soldiers
             ;
             many
             Gentlemen
             of
             Quality
             and
             Estates
             ,
             with
             their
             Servants
             and
             Dependants
             .
          
           Now
           can
           it
           be
           reasonable
           to
           expose
           Poor
           Men
           to
           the
           Hatred
           and
           Revenge
           of
           those
           ,
           who
           are
           too
           Wicked
           to
           consider
           the
           good
           Design
           of
           those
           who
           Inform'd
           against
           them
           ;
           and
           too
           powerful
           not
           to
           be
           able
           ,
           to
           do
           them
           Mischief
           ,
           to
           Blacken
           their
           Reputations
           ,
           and
           to
           Ruin
           their
           Fortunes
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           well
           if
           they
           spare
           their
           Lives
           ?
           So
           that
           to
           discover
           all
           who
           Inform
           against
           Swearing
           ,
           wou'd
           be
           a
           Cruelty
           equal
           to
           that
           of
           the
           
             Primitive
             Persecutors
          
           ,
           who
           cover'd
           the
           unhappy
           Christians
           ,
           with
           the
           Skins
           of
           Wild
           Beasts
           ,
           and
           then
           turn'd
           Dogs
           and
           Lyons
           loose
           upon
           them
           .
           And
           is
           it
           not
           a
           Melancholy
           
           thing
           to
           consider
           ,
           that
           if
           
             Private
             Informations
          
           be
           lay'd
           aside
           ,
           a
           good
           Man
           must
           either
           neglect
           a
           necessary
           Duty
           ,
           let
           Wickedness
           go
           o●●
           and
           enlarge
           its
           Conquests
           ;
           or
           if
           it
           does
           oppose
           it
           ,
           must
           run
           the
           hazard
           of
           being
           undone
           with
           his
           Family
           .
        
         
           '
           Ti●●rue
           ,
           every
           Man
           ought
           to
           discharge
           his
           Duty
           ,
           what
           ever
           may
           be
           the
           Consequences
           of
           his
           doing
           so
           .
           But
           we
           know
           ,
           and
           ought
           to
           consider
           ,
           that
           many
           good
           Men
           are
           Timerous
           in
           their
           Natures
           ,
           or
           Low
           in
           their
           Fortunes
           .
           Men
           may
           be
           good
           Christians
           though
           not
           qualified
           to
           be
           Martyrs
           for
           Religion
           .
           They
           may
           have
           great
           Zeal
           against
           Vice
           ,
           yet
           be
           unwilling
           openly
           to
           encounter
           it
           ,
           when
           besides
           Pains
           and
           Trouble
           ,
           they
           must
           in
           all
           likelyhood
           suffer
           Poverty
           and
           Disgrace
           .
           And
           therefore
           we
           may
           reasonably
           hope
           ,
           that
           our
           Magistrates
           will
           have
           such
           a
           regard
           for
           Humane
           Nature
           ,
           as
           to
           consider
           Mens
           Practice
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           their
           Duty
           :
           What
           it
           is
           probably
           they
           will
           do
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           what
           in
           strictness
           they
           ought
           to
           do
           :
           And
           that
           the
           Insolent
           Clamours
           of
           those
           who
           are
           Angry
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           not
           still
           Swear
           ,
           as
           formerly
           without
           controul
           ,
           will
           not
           hinder
           them
           from
           so
           managing
           Informations
           ,
           that
           none
           may
           be
           discourag'd
           nor
           afraid
           to
           give
           them
           ;
           which
           is
           hardly
           possible
           ,
           unless
           the
           Informers
           be
           Conceal'd
           .
        
         
           But
           
             Private
             Informations
          
           are
           so
           far
           from
           being
           Unjust
           or
           Unreasonable
           ,
           that
           in
           the
           
             Third
             and
             Last
             place
          
           ,
           they
           who
           suffer
           most
           by
           them
           ,
           have
           no
           reason
           to
           desire
           that
           the
           Practice
           shou'd
           be
           otherwise
           .
           And
           that
           for
           these
           Two
           Reasons
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           Because
           
             Private
             Informations
          
           secure
           the
           Swearer
           who
           i●
           Punish'd
           ,
           from
           the
           Temptation
           of
           adding
           Revenge
           to
           Prophaness
           ,
           and
           aggravating
           one
           Heinous
           Sin
           ,
           by
           the
           addition
           of
           another
           .
           A
           good
           Man
           is
           glad
           to
           be
           Ignorant
           of
           those
           who
           have
           done
           him
           〈◊〉
           Wrongs
           ,
           that
           so
           the
           Charitable
           Temper
           of
           his
           Mind
           ,
           and
           Peace
           of
           his
           Soul
           ,
           may
           not
           be
           alter'd
           nor
           disturb'd
           .
           And
           what
           ever
           the
           Swearer
           may
           think
           ,
           in
           the
           present
           violence
           of
           his
           Passion
           ,
           yet
           it
           is
           a
           real
           Kindness
           in
           the
           Magistrate
           to
           keep
           him
           in
           the
           Dark
           ,
           and
           he
           himself
           will
           be
           effectually
           convinc'd
           of
           this
           in
           the
           End.
           He
           will
           find
           in
           his
           Oaths
           alone
           ,
           sufficient
           matter
           for
           a
           bitter
           Repentance
           ,
           without
           the
           additional
           Guilt
           of
           Revenge
           ;
           or
           if
           he
           Dyes
           without
           Repentance
           ,
           his
           Curses
           will
           of
           themselves
           ,
           
           Intitle
           him
           to
           that
           Damnation
           he
           has
           so
           often
           Imprecated
           himself
           ;
           and
           his
           Torments
           will
           be
           great
           enough
           ,
           without
           the
           load
           of
           another
           Sin
           ,
           to
           encrease
           them
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           Because
           
             Private
             Informations
          
           (
           as
           was
           said
           before
           )
           do
           better
           restrain
           Men
           from
           Swearing
           ,
           than
           can
           be
           done
           any
           other
           
             Practicable
             way
          
           .
           And
           can
           it
           be
           a
           valuable
           Advantage
           to
           Men
           of
           Reason
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           Swear
           as
           without
           any
           reverence
           for
           GOD
           ,
           so
           without
           any
           fear
           of
           Punishment
           from
           Men
           ?
           Can
           they
           be
           fond
           of
           the
           Nauseous
           Liberty
           of
           being
           as
           Prophane
           as
           they
           please
           ?
           Have
           not
           many
           Men
           reason
           to
           Bless
           GOD
           ,
           that
           they
           were
           afraid
           ,
           or
           asham'd
           to
           do
           many
           things
           ,
           to
           which
           they
           were
           violently
           prompted
           by
           the
           Fury
           of
           their
           Passions
           ?
           And
           can
           any
           Man
           in
           his
           cool
           Thoughts
           be
           Angry
           ,
           that
           there
           are
           Laws
           made
           to
           hinder
           him
           from
           being
           a
           Blasphemer
           himself
           ,
           and
           Infecting
           others
           with
           his
           Crimes
           ?
           So
           Mad-men
           think
           themselves
           Wise
           ,
           and
           are
           enrag'd
           at
           their
           Confinement
           .
           But
           when
           restor'd
           to
           their
           Reason
           ,
           they
           Bless
           the
           Hands
           that
           Bound
           them
           and
           prevented
           the
           Violent
           Effects
           of
           their
           Distemper
           .
           And
           so
           will
           it
           be
           with
           Swearers
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           so
           happy
           as
           to
           be
           reclaim'd
           they
           〈◊〉
           change
           their
           Oaths
           and
           Curses
           ,
           into
           Prayers
           and
           Prai●●●
           Nay
           the
           most
           harden'd
           of
           them
           all
           ,
           will
           on
           their
           Death-Beds
           alter
           their
           Language
           ,
           and
           wish
           with
           all
           the
           Horrors
           of
           
             Despairing
             Wretches
          
           ,
           that
           the
           Laws
           against
           Swearing
           had
           been
           more
           Severe
           ,
           and
           Executed
           with
           greater
           Rigour
           ,
           and
           that
           some
           of
           his
           Blood
           rather
           than
           his
           Money
           ,
           had
           been
           the
           Penalty
           of
           every
           Oath
           .
        
         
           In
           short
           then
           ,
           
             Private
             Informations
          
           against
           Swearing
           are
           Just
           ,
           so
           long
           as
           they
           are
           True
           ,
           and
           I
           never
           heard
           of
           any
           that
           were
           otherwise
           ,
           of
           any
           that
           were
           Falsly
           Maliciously
           and
           Accus'd
           .
           And
           it
           is
           hardly
           possible
           they
           shou'd
           ;
           no
           Man
           being
           under
           the
           least
           Temptation
           ,
           to
           be
           Guilty
           of
           such
           a
           Horrid
           Sin.
           
             Private
             Informations
          
           are
           expedient
           and
           necessary
           ,
           because
           by
           them
           the
           end
           of
           the
           Law
           is
           best
           answer'd
           and
           promoted
           ;
           without
           them
           many
           wou'd
           be
           Guilty
           of
           Swearing
           ,
           who
           by
           fear
           are
           restrain'd
           from
           it
           ,
           and
           many
           who
           are
           Guilty
           ,
           wou'd
           escape
           Punishment
           .
           Good
           Men
           wou'd
           be
           laid
           open
           to
           the
           Hatred
           of
           many
           ,
           and
           Contempt
           
           of
           more
           :
           And
           they
           who
           are
           punish'd
           for
           Swearing
           ,
           suffer
           nothing
           by
           the
           Privacy
           of
           the
           Informations
           ,
           but
           that
           they
           cannot
           grati●ie
           their
           Revenge
           .
        
         
           Having
           thus
           I
           hope
           shewn
           the
           Duty
           of
           Informing
           against
           Vice
           and
           Prophaness
           ,
           and
           Vindicated
           the
           Practice
           of
           
             Private
             Informations
          
           against
           Swearing
           ,
           I
           now
           at
           length
           proceed
           to
           my
        
         
           
             Fourth
             and
             Last
             Particular
          
           ,
           which
           is
           to
           offer
           such
           Motives
           ,
           as
           are
           proper
           to
           excite
           and
           confirm
           our
           Zeal
           ,
           that
           so
           we
           
             may
             be
             Zealously
             Affected
             always
             in
             the
             good
             thing
             ,
          
           about
           which
           we
           ought
           to
           be
           engag'd
           .
        
         
           And
           certainly
           if
           all
           the
           Arguments
           of
           both
           Worlds
           can
           convince
           us
           ,
           if
           our
           most
           valuable
           Interests
           can
           awaken
           our
           Affections
           ,
           or
           the
           best
           Examples
           can
           inflame
           our
           Zeal
           :
           If
           the
           most
           Honourable
           Employment
           can
           work
           on
           our
           Ambition
           ,
           or
           the
           greatest
           Dangers
           quicken
           our
           Fears
           If
           we
           have
           any
           concern
           for
           the
           happiness
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           wou'd
           remove
           those
           differences
           ,
           which
           have
           broken
           its
           Unity
           ,
           and
           disturb'd
           its
           Peace
           .
           If
           we
           wou'd
           enjoy
           the
           truest
           Delights
           which
           are
           to
           be
           had
           below
           ,
           and
           be
           intitled
           to
           extraordinary
           degrees
           of
           Glory
           above
           :
           If
           these
           are
           desirable
           things
           ,
           and
           can
           make
           any
           Impressions
           on
           〈◊〉
           they
           all
           combine
           to
           excite
           and
           confirm
           our
           Zeal
           ,
           in
           suppressi●●
           Vice
           and
           Prophaness
           ,
           and
           promoting
           a
           
             through
             Reformation
             of
             Manners
          
           in
           every
           Rank
           among
           us
           .
        
         
           But
           the
           better
           to
           excite
           and
           confirm
           both
           your
           Zeal
           and
           my
           own
           ,
           I
           shall
           insist
           particularly
           on
           these
           things
           ,
           and
           therefore
           entreat
           you
           with
           me
           to
           consider
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           
             That
             it
             is
             impossible
             we
             shou'd
             Love
             GOD
             ,
             and
             be
             sincere
             in
             the
             Practice
             of
             Religion
             ,
             without
             being
             Zealously
             Affected
             against
             Vice
             and
             Prophaness
             ,
             and
             vigorously
             bent
             on
             the
             extirpation
             of
             it
             .
          
           For
           without
           this
           Zeal
           nothing
           else
           we
           can
           perform
           ,
           will
           be
           a
           sufficient
           Proof
           of
           the
           sincerity
           of
           our
           Love
           to
           GOD.
           Being
           just
           in
           our
           Dealings
           ,
           and
           bountiful
           to
           the
           Poor
           ,
           Temperate
           and
           Sober
           ,
           constant
           Hearers
           of
           GOD's
           Word
           ,
           and
           constant
           Guests
           at
           his
           Table
           ,
           none
           of
           those
           are
           not
           only
           because
           these
           Duties
           may
           be
           perform'd
           ,
           and
           yet
           the
           Love
           of
           GOD
           be
           the
           motive
           of
           none
           of
           them
           ;
           but
           chiefly
           because
           the
           like
           actions
           will
           not
           be
           accepted
           in
           any
           Parallel
           Case
           .
        
         
         
           Thus
           for
           Example
           ,
           
             Do
             I
             profess
             Friendship
             for
             another
             Man
             ?
          
           To
           convince
           him
           of
           its
           truth
           and
           reality
           it
           is
           not
           enough
           that
           I
           shew
           him
           all
           outward
           Marks
           of
           Honour
           and
           Esteem
           ;
           that
           I
           treat
           him
           with
           the
           most
           endearing
           Caresses
           ,
           and
           always
           express
           my self
           to
           his
           Advantage
           .
           For
           if
           notwithstanding
           all
           this
           ,
           I
           can
           hear
           him
           Slander'd
           without
           shewing
           some
           Resentment
           ,
           and
           that
           by
           those
           who
           know
           I
           profess
           to
           be
           his
           Friend
           :
           If
           I
           can
           silently
           listen
           to
           Malicious
           Aspersions
           on
           his
           Credit
           ,
           yet
           make
           no
           attempts
           to
           Vindicate
           his
           Fame
           :
           If
           I
           am
           privy
           to
           a
           Design
           whereby
           his
           Life
           or
           Fortune
           may
           be
           endanger'd
           ,
           or
           his
           Reputation
           blasted
           ;
           and
           yet
           never
           discover
           it
           to
           him
           ,
           use
           no
           endeavours
           to
           prevent
           it
           :
           If
           all
           this
           I
           can
           do
           ,
           and
           yet
           assume
           the
           sacred
           Name
           of
           Friend
           ,
           my
           Pretentions
           are
           false
           and
           disguis'd
           ,
           and
           Hypocrite
           is
           my
           truest
           Title
           .
        
         
           Are
           these
           the
           Rules
           and
           Measures
           of
           our
           Friendship
           to
           Men
           ,
           and
           will
           GOD
           accept
           our
           Love
           on
           any
           lower
           Terms
           ?
           Dare
           we
           say
           we
           Love
           GOD
           ,
           and
           yet
           can
           patiently
           hear
           his
           Being
           and
           Providence
           Disown'd
           ,
           His
           Word
           Ridicul'd
           ,
           and
           His
           Glorious
           Name
           Prophan'd
           ?
           No
           't
           is
           plain
           there
           must
           be
           a
           want
           of
           true
           Love
           to
           GOD
           in
           the
           Soul
           ,
           when
           little
           or
           none
           appears
           on
           the
           most
           necessary
           occasions
           ,
           then
           when
           his
           Honour
           and
           Service
           call
           for
           the
           most
           publick
           expressions
           of
           It
           :
           Let
           me
           see
           any
           Man
           near
           so
           much
           mov'd
           when
           GOD
           is
           Dishonour'd
           in
           his
           presence
           ,
           as
           he
           wou'd
           be
           ,
           shou'd
           any
           presume
           to
           Reflect
           on
           the
           Memory
           of
           his
           
             Dead
             Father
          
           ,
           and
           then
           I
           will
           not
           suspect
           sincerity
           of
           his
           Love.
           
        
         
           Besides
           ,
           whatever
           Religious
           Actions
           we
           may
           our selves
           perform
           ,
           can
           never
           without
           this
           
             Christian
             Zeal
          
           against
           
             Prophaness
             and
             Vice
          
           ,
           proceed
           from
           Right
           Principles
           ;
           from
           
             worthy
             Apprehensions
          
           of
           the
           Nature
           and
           Perfections
           of
           GOD
           ,
           
             His
             Infinite
             Wisdom
             ,
             Power
             and
             Goodness
             .
          
           For
           these
           Principles
           do
           equally
           incline
           us
           to
           suppress
           Wickedness
           in
           others
           ,
           as
           to
           be
           Pious
           and
           Virtuous
           our selves
           .
           Thus
           do
           I
           ,
           
             for
             Example
          
           ,
           Love
           GOD
           because
           of
           his
           Goodness
           ?
           That
           must
           needs
           move
           me
           very
           powerfully
           to
           Hate
           Sin
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           greatest
           Contradiction
           to
           that
           Goodness
           ;
           and
           what
           I
           passionately
           Hate
           I
           will
           labour
           to
           destroy
           .
           Do
           I
           with
           the
           Humility
           becoming
           a
           Creature
           ,
           Reverence
           GOD's
           Word
           ,
           and
           Adore
           
           his
           N●me
           ?
           Then
           I
           cannot
           hear
           both
           these
           Impiously
           Prophan'd
           ,
           but
           strong
           Resentments
           will
           arise
           in
           my
           Mind
           .
           And
           therefore
           if
           it
           ●e
           otherwise
           with
           us
           ,
           we
           have
           cause
           to
           suspect
           our selves
           ,
           and
           may
           justly
           fear
           ,
           that
           all
           our
           other
           Acts
           of
           Service
           ,
           how
           exact
           so
           ever
           we
           may
           be
           in
           the
           performance
           of
           them
           ,
           will
           be
           rejected
           of
           GOD
           as
           mere
           pretence
           and
           shew
           ,
           as
           so
           many
           Instances
           of
           Religious
           Deceit
           .
        
         
           But
           farther
           ,
           we
           know
           that
           true
           Piety
           is
           ever
           attended
           with
           great
           Charity
           and
           Compassion
           for
           the
           Souls
           of
           them
           .
           And
           indeed
           it
           cannot
           possibly
           be
           otherwise
           .
           For
           the
           more
           we
           Love
           GOD
           ,
           
             (
             that
             is
             ,
             the
             more
             truly
             Pious
             we
             are
          
           )
           the
           more
           shall
           we
           be
           like
           Him
           ,
           the
           nearer
           approaches
           shall
           we
           make
           to
           his
           Nature
           .
           But
           now
           Love
           to
           Mankind
           ,
           is
           the
           most
           Glorious
           Attribute
           of
           the
           Deity
           ,
           and
           
             doing
             us
             Good
          
           ,
           is
           his
           most
           Delightful
           Work
           :
           For
           Happiness
           he
           Created
           us
           ,
           and
           sent
           his
           Son
           to
           put
           us
           into
           a
           Capacity
           of
           Bliss
           and
           Glory
           .
           Surely
           then
           if
           we
           Love
           GOD
           in
           sincerity
           ,
           those
           who
           are
           the
           declar'd
           Objects
           of
           his
           Love
           ,
           must
           be
           so
           of
           Ours
           .
           Their
           Happiness
           we
           will
           consult
           ,
           and
           spare
           no
           pains
           to
           deliver
           them
           from
           Destruction
           .
           He
           who
           Loves
           GOD
           sincerely
           ,
           and
           serves
           him
           faithfully
           ,
           must
           needs
           be
           sensibly
           touch'd
           to
           see
           a
           Creature
           endu'd
           with
           a
           rational
           Nature
           ,
           and
           a
           Soul
           that
           is
           Immortal
           ,
           that
           yet
           does
           neither
           .
           A
           Wicked
           Man
           he
           pities
           most
           ,
           and
           with
           great
           reason
           esteems
           him
           the
           most
           Unhappy
           of
           Mankind
           ;
           not
           an
           unfortunate
           Wretch
           broken
           upon
           the
           Wheel
           is
           so
           miserable
           ,
           since
           the
           most
           exquisite
           Temporal
           Torments
           ,
           bear
           no
           proportion
           to
           Everlasting
           Burnings
           .
        
         
           Christianity
           is
           a
           
             Generous
             Institution
          
           ,
           and
           inspires
           us
           with
           a
           
             Charitable
             Concern
          
           for
           the
           Happiness
           of
           others
           ;
           as
           the
           great
           end
           of
           it
           is
           to
           qualifie
           us
           for
           the
           Society
           of
           Angels
           hereafter
           ,
           so
           where
           it
           is
           allow'd
           to
           exert
           its
           Power
           ,
           it
           gives
           us
           somewhat
           of
           their
           Divine
           Temper
           here
           ,
           makes
           us
           endeavour
           after
           the
           
             Conversion
             of
             Sinners
          
           ,
           and
           raises
           strong
           and
           lasting
           Joy
           in
           our
           Souls
           ,
           whenever
           it
           is
           effected
           .
           And
           can
           that
           Man
           be
           esteem'd
           a
           sincere
           Christian
           ,
           who
           has
           no
           regard
           for
           his
           Brothers
           Eternal
           Happiness
           ?
           Who
           will
           not
           labour
           to
           stop
           the
           progress
           of
           a
           Contagious
           Vice
           ,
           and
           thereby
           prevent
           the
           Ruin
           of
           many
           Souls
           ?
           Let
           
           him
           pretend
           what
           he
           will
           to
           prove
           that
           he
           Loves
           GOD
           ,
           it
           is
           all
           Hypocrisie
           and
           Disguise
           ;
           for
           it
           is
           a
           Truth
           Written
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Recorded
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           
             That
             he
             who
             Lo●es
             not
             his
             Brother
             whom
             he
             has
             seen
             ,
             can
             never
             Love
             GOD
             whom
             he
             has
             not
             seen
             .
          
        
         
           And
           what
           a
           Melancholly
           Surprize
           will
           it
           be
           to
           many
           ,
           when
           at
           the
           Last
           Day
           the
           Great
           Judge
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           shall
           bid
           them
           depart
           from
           him
           ,
           notwithstanding
           all
           their
           Pompous
           Devotions
           ,
           and
           Gawdy
           appearances
           of
           Religion
           ?
           And
           that
           because
           they
           were
           not
           
             Zealously
             Affected
             against
             Vice
             ,
             and
             did
             not
             Industriously
             promote
             Reformation
             of
             Manners
          
           ?
           Because
           they
           labour'd
           not
           to
           retrieve
           the
           decay'd
           Spirit
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           and
           were
           Negligent
           and
           Indifferent
           when
           the
           Cause
           of
           Religion
           was
           at
           Stake
           ?
           And
           what
           various
           Passions
           of
           Indignation
           ,
           of
           Grief
           and
           Shame
           must
           distract
           such
           unhappy
           Souls
           ,
           when
           the
           Son
           of
           GOD
           shall
           thus
           Expostulate
           with
           them
           ?
           
             Can
             ye
             hope
             to
             dwell
             with
             me
             ,
             for
             whom
             you
             never
             had
             any
             true
             Honour
             ,
             whose
             Cause
             you
             did
             not
             Plead
             ,
             whose
             Interest
             you
             did
             not
             Espouse
             ?
             Can
             you
             say
             you
             sincerely
             Lov'd
             me
             ,
             when
             you
             declin'd
             my
             most
             Necessary
             Service
             ,
             
               the
               Punishment
               of
               Vice
               ,
               and
               Advancement
               of
               Piety
            
             ?
             What
             tho
             you
             did
             not
             Prophane
             my
             Name
             your selves
             ,
             yet
             others
             you
             cou'd
             hear
             do
             it
             with
             a
             Smile
             :
             And
             did
             rather
             Encourage
             than
             Suppress
             that
             Sin
             ?
             And
             since
             through
             your
             want
             of
             Zeal
             ,
             many
             escape
             that
             Punishment
             ,
             which
             their
             Lewdness
             deserv'd
             ,
             is
             it
             not
             reasonable
             that
             you
             shou'd
             share
             in
             their
             Torments
             ,
             as
             you
             contributed
             towards
             their
             Guilt
             ?
             
               Therefore
               you
               must
               have
               no
               Honour
               from
               me
               ,
               whom
               you
               did
               never
               Honour
            
             :
             And
             seeing
             you
             in
             effect
             
               Deny'd
               me
            
             upon
             Earth
             ,
             by
             neglecting
             my
             Service
             ,
             Justice
             requires
             that
             you
             shou'd
             be
             disown'd
             by
             me
             for
             ever
             .
          
        
         
           And
           what
           Reply
           shall
           such
           unhappy
           Sinners
           be
           able
           to
           make
           to
           
             Infinite
             Justice
          
           ,
           when
           thus
           Arraign'd
           before
           Angels
           and
           Men
           !
           Must
           they
           not
           be
           struck
           with
           silent
           Horrours
           at
           the
           Charge
           ,
           and
           Agonies
           of
           Soul
           too
           big
           to
           be
           utter'd
           ?
           But
           if
           they
           presume
           to
           speak
           at
           all
           ,
           their
           Language
           must
           be
           made
           up
           of
           Guilty
           Acknowledgements
           :
           They
           must
           own
           the
           Justice
           ,
           even
           when
           they
           begin
           to
           feel
           the
           severity
           of
           their
           Sentence
           .
        
         
         
           Secondly
           ,
           Another
           Motive
           to
           
             excite
             and
             confirm
             our
             Zeal
             in
             the
             good
             things
          
           about
           which
           it
           ought
           to
           be
           
             engag'd
             ,
             suppressing
             Publick
             Vice
             ,
             and
             promoting
             Reformation
             of
             Manners
             ;
             is
          
           the
           consideration
           of
           its
           being
           the
           most
           
             Honourable
             Service
          
           wherein
           we
           can
           be
           employ'd
           .
           A
           Service
           of
           the
           greatest
           
             Dignity
             and
             Glory
          
           .
        
         
           In
           other
           Cases
           the
           Worth
           and
           Greatness
           of
           the
           Person
           ,
           to
           whom
           the
           Service
           is
           pay'd
           ,
           renders
           it
           Honourable
           .
           Thus
           to
           be
           intrusted
           with
           the
           most
           Weighty
           Affairs
           of
           our
           Prince
           and
           Country
           ,
           to
           Execute
           the
           Laws
           ,
           and
           Encounter
           the
           Enemies
           of
           both
           ,
           is
           what
           Ambitious
           Men
           are
           still
           aspiring
           after
           ,
           and
           wherein
           they
           place
           their
           Glory
           and
           their
           Happiness
           :
           But
           now
           in
           this
           respect
           ,
           no
           Service
           so
           Honourable
           
             as
             Opposing
             and
             Suppressing
             Immorality
             and
             Prophaness
             .
          
           It
           is
           the
           immediate
           Service
           of
           GOD
           himself
           ,
           of
           the
           Supreme
           King
           and
           Governour
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           before
           whom
           all
           Earthly
           Princes
           are
           as
           nothing
           .
           Whose
           Transcendent
           Nature
           nothing
           can
           comprehend
           ,
           and
           who
           dazles
           all
           the
           Angels
           with
           the
           Brightness
           of
           his
           Glory
           .
        
         
           Again
           ,
           does
           the
           Excellency
           of
           those
           who
           are
           employ'd
           in
           any
           Service
           render
           it
           Honourable
           ?
           Then
           none
           so
           Honourable
           as
           this
           .
           It
           is
           at
           once
           the
           work
           and
           delight
           of
           Angels
           ,
           and
           the
           Heavenly
           Host
           esteem
           it
           their
           Priviledge
           and
           Glory
           .
           For
           wherein
           consists
           the
           employment
           of
           the
           Ministring
           Spirits
           of
           Heaven
           ?
           But
           in
           their
           being
           the
           Instruments
           of
           GOD's
           Justice
           in
           Punishing
           his
           Enemies
           ,
           the
           Instruments
           of
           his
           Mercy
           in
           Rewarding
           his
           Servants
           ?
           In
           their
           restraining
           us
           from
           Sin
           by
           their
           powerful
           Influence
           ,
           and
           awakening
           us
           to
           Repentance
           by
           unseen
           ways
           ?
           Those
           happy
           Beings
           that
           are
           above
           ,
           whither
           Angels
           ,
           or
           the
           Spirits
           of
           Just
           Men
           made
           perfect
           ,
           are
           all
           Zealous
           of
           our
           Reformation
           :
           They
           Pray
           for
           our
           Repentance
           ,
           they
           Rejoice
           at
           our
           Conversion
           ,
           and
           long
           for
           our
           Society
           .
           And
           every
           Pious
           Soul
           that
           arrives
           safely
           among
           them
           ,
           encreases
           their
           Raptures
           ,
           and
           adds
           new
           strength
           and
           fervour
           to
           their
           Praises
           .
           And
           is
           not
           that
           a
           Glorious
           Service
           ,
           whereby
           we
           Cooperate
           with
           the
           Holy
           Angels
           .
           And
           must
           not
           our
           being
           thus
           employ'd
           in
           the
           Work
           of
           Angels
           ,
           be
           an
           excellent
           Preparative
           for
           their
           Conversation
           ?
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           The
           more
           useful
           any
           Service
           is
           ,
           the
           more
           Honourable
           
           it
           shou'd
           be
           esteem'd
           ?
           Thus
           they
           who
           have
           been
           Authors
           of
           any
           great
           Good
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           have
           been
           highly
           Honour'd
           while
           Alive
           ,
           and
           when
           dead
           have
           been
           Ador'd
           .
           But
           what
           Service
           so
           useful
           as
           this
           ?
           What
           way
           can
           we
           do
           so
           much
           good
           to
           Mankind
           ,
           as
           by
           bringing
           Obstinate
           Offenders
           to
           Punishment
           ,
           and
           removing
           Infectious
           Examples
           ?
           As
           by
           extirpating
           Vice
           ,
           and
           promoting
           Piety
           and
           Virtue
           ?
           As
           by
           averting
           the
           Wrath
           of
           GOD
           ,
           and
           smoothing
           the
           way
           to
           Heaven
           ?
        
         
           Let
           us
           not
           then
           be
           asham'd
           of
           our
           Great
           Masters
           Service
           ,
           but
           Praise
           him
           for
           the
           Honour
           it
           confers
           upon
           us
           ;
           and
           while
           others
           
             Glory
             in
             their
             Wisdom
             ,
             their
             Riches
             or
             their
             Might
             ,
          
           which
           are
           all
           Imperfect
           ,
           Transient
           and
           Vain
           ,
           if
           we
           Glory
           at
           all
           ,
           let
           it
           be
           in
           this
           ,
           that
           we
           are
           allow'd
           the
           priviledge
           ,
           and
           inspir'd
           with
           Grace
           ,
           to
           be
           employ'd
           in
           our
           Heavenly
           
             Fathers
             Business
          
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           
             Another
             Motive
             to
             excite
             and
             confirm
             our
             Zeal
             against
             Prophaness
             and
             Vice
             ,
             is
             the
             consideration
             of
             those
             many
             and
             Excellent
             Examples
             which
             recommend
             it
             .
          
           And
           indeed
           we
           find
           none
           in
           the
           Holy
           Scriptures
           Eminent
           ,
           for
           their
           Piety
           and
           Virtue
           ,
           who
           were
           not
           equally
           remarkable
           for
           their
           
             Zealous
             Endeavours
          
           against
           Impiety
           and
           all
           sorts
           of
           Wickedness
           .
        
         
           Noah
           was
           not
           only
           a
           Worker
           but
           
             Preacher
             of
             Righteousness
          
           ;
           
           and
           of
           Lot
           it
           is
           said
           ,
           that
           his
           
             Righteous
             Soul
             was
             vexed
             with
             the
             Sodomites
             filthy
             Conversation
             .
          
           How
           was
           Moses
           Transported
           at
           the
           Israelites
           Idolatry
           ?
           
           His
           usual
           Meekness
           seem'd
           to
           have
           forsaken
           him
           ,
           
             his
             Anger
             waxed
             hot
             ,
             and
             he
             cast
             the
             Tables
             out
             of
             his
             Hands
             ,
             and
             brake
             them
             beneath
             the
             Mount.
          
           
           
           Phineas's
           Zeal
           is
           Recorded
           to
           his
           Honour
           ,
           it
           stop'd
           the
           Raging
           Pestilence
           ,
           and
           Calm'd
           the
           Anger
           of
           an
           Incensed
           GOD.
           
           Holy
           David
           expressed
           his
           Zeal
           ,
           in
           great
           Variety
           of
           Passions
           ,
           it
           appear'd
           in
           his
           Hatred
           ,
           his
           Joy
           ,
           and
           in
           his
           Grief
           .
           
             In
             his
             Hatred
          
           :
           
           
             I
             have
             Hated
             the
             Congregation
             of
             the
             Wicked
             ,
             and
          
           will
           not
           
             sit
             among
             the
             Ungodly
             .
             In
             his
             Joy
          
           :
           
           
             I
             was
             glad
             ,
             says
          
           he
           ,
           
             when
             they
             said
             unto
             me
             ,
             we
             will
             go
             into
             the
             House
             of
             the
             LORD
             .
          
           He
           was
           glad
           to
           see
           Piety
           prevailing
           among
           others
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           Motion
           of
           going
           to
           the
           House
           of
           the
           
           LORD
           shou'd
           come
           from
           any
           besides
           himself
           .
           But
           the
           greatness
           of
           his
           Zeal
           chiefly
           shew'd
           it self
           in
           his
           Grief
           ,
           a
           truly
           Zealous
           Man
           meeting
           with
           many
           more
           occasions
           of
           Sorrow
           ,
           than
           Joy
           from
           others
           :
           And
           therefore
           the
           Psalmists
           Language
           is
           sometimes
           very
           Mournful
           ;
           
           
             Rivers
             of
             Waters
             run
             down
             mine
             Eyes
             ,
             because
             they
             keep
             not
             thy
             Law.
          
           And
           again
           .
           
           
             I
             beheld
             the
             Transgressors
             and
             was
             grieved
             ,
             because
             they
             kept
             not
             thy
             Word
             .
          
           
           How
           Zealous
           was
           Elijah
           against
           Idolatry
           ?
           He
           boldly
           Reprov'd
           the
           King
           of
           Israel
           ,
           and
           destroy'd
           the
           Priests
           of
           Baal
           ,
           tho
           he
           was
           no
           Stranger
           to
           Jezabels
           Revengeful
           Spirit
           .
           Nay
           he
           appeal'd
           to
           GOD
           himself
           
             that
             he
             had
             been
             very
             Zealous
             for
             the
             LORD
             GOD
             of
             Hosts
             .
          
           
           Nehemiah
           is
           a
           Noble
           Example
           of
           Zeal
           and
           Courage
           ,
           fit
           for
           all
           Christians
           ,
           but
           chiefly
           Magistrates
           to
           follow
           ;
           
             He
             Contended
             with
             the
             Great
             Men
             of
          
           Judah
           ,
           
             for
             Prophaning
             the
             Sabbath
          
           .
           He
           did
           not
           modestly
           pass
           by
           their
           Faults
           ,
           out
           of
           respect
           to
           their
           Quality
           ,
           nor
           gently
           touch
           ,
           as
           if
           afraid
           to
           hurt
           them
           ;
           but
           oppos'd
           all
           abuses
           of
           the
           Sabbath
           ,
           with
           great
           Zeal
           and
           Resolution
           ,
           and
           at
           last
           effectually
           suppress'd
           them
           ,
           tho
           very
           general
           and
           prevailing
           .
        
         
           The
           Time
           wou'd
           fail
           me
           to
           mention
           all
           the
           Prophets
           ,
           &
           Apostles
           ;
           the
           Primitive
           Saints
           ,
           Confessors
           ,
           and
           Martyrs
           ,
           who
           have
           been
           Eminent
           Examples
           of
           a
           
             fervent
             Zeal
          
           ,
           who
           valu'd
           not
           Ease
           ,
           nor
           Fame
           ,
           nor
           Life
           ,
           so
           they
           might
           propagate
           the
           
             True
             Religion
          
           ,
           and
           effectually
           discourage
           
             Impiety
             and
             Vice.
          
           A
           Zeal
           which
           Conquer'd
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           Powers
           of
           Darkness
           ,
           to
           which
           nothing
           was
           too
           difficult
           to
           be
           done
           ,
           nor
           too
           grievous
           to
           be
           suffer'd
           ,
           in
           so
           Glorious
           a
           Cause
           .
           If
           we
           observe
           but
           the
           single
           instance
           of
           St.
           Paul
           ,
           we
           cannot
           without
           amazement
           Reflect
           upon
           the
           many
           Persecutions
           ,
           Calamities
           and
           Afflictions
           ;
           the
           many
           Perils
           by
           Land
           and
           Sea
           ,
           from
           his
           own
           Country-Men
           and
           Strangers
           ,
           from
           open
           Enemies
           ,
           pretended
           Friends
           ,
           and
           false
           Brethren
           ,
           which
           his
           Zeal
           embold'd
           him
           to
           meet
           ,
           and
           enabl'd
           him
           to
           bear
           .
        
         
           But
           behold
           we
           have
           a
           greater
           Example
           of
           
             Holy
             Zeal
          
           than
           he
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           the
           Son
           of
           GOD
           ,
           and
           Saviour
           of
           the
           World.
           It
           was
           Zeal
           for
           the
           Reformation
           and
           Happiness
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           brought
           
           him
           down
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           expos'd
           him
           to
           Poverty
           and
           Misery
           ,
           and
           Disgrace
           ,
           here
           below
           :
           The
           same
           Holy
           Zeal
           made
           him
           boldly
           Reprove
           the
           Greatest
           among
           Men
           ,
           whilst
           he
           fami●iarly
           Convers'd
           with
           the
           Meanest
           ;
           made
           him
           Toil
           and
           Labour
           
             and
             go
             about
             doing
             Good
          
           ,
           even
           to
           those
           who
           made
           him
           the
           returns
           of
           Hatred
           ,
           for
           his
           Good-Will
           .
           Out
           of
           Zeal
           for
           the
           True
           Religion
           he
           Unmask'd
           the
           Pharisees
           ,
           and
           laid
           open
           their
           Hypocrisie
           ,
           and
           brought
           upon
           himself
           the
           Hatred
           and
           Revenge
           ,
           of
           that
           Malicious
           Dissembling
           Sect.
           Nay
           his
           Zeal
           made
           him
           once
           lay
           aside
           the
           Lamb
           ,
           and
           with
           the
           Resentment
           as
           well
           as
           Authority
           of
           an
           Offended
           Judge
           ,
           Vindicate
           the
           Honour
           of
           GOD
           ,
           by
           
             Scourging
             the
             Buyers
             and
             Sellers
             out
             of
             the
             Temple
             .
          
           So
           that
           with
           great
           Justice
           ,
           does
           the
           Evangelist
           apply
           that
           Expression
           of
           the
           Psalmist
           to
           our
           LORD
           ,
           
             the
             Zeal
             of
             thy
             House
          
           ,
           
           
             hath
             Eaten
             me
             up
          
           .
        
         
           But
           the
           most
           Stupendous
           Instance
           of
           Divine
           Zeal
           ,
           is
           the
           Blessed
           Jesus
           ,
           Dying
           to
           promote
           the
           Glory
           of
           GOD
           ,
           and
           happiness
           of
           Mankind
           .
           We
           Honour
           the
           Zeal
           of
           those
           who
           are
           willing
           to
           undergo
           Trouble
           ,
           and
           run
           a
           few
           Hazards
           for
           Religion
           What
           then
           shall
           we
           say
           of
           the
           Zeal
           of
           our
           Blessed
           Saviour
           ?
           Zeal
           ,
           which
           Nail'd
           him
           to
           the
           Cross
           ,
           and
           Shed
           his
           Blood
           ,
           and
           made
           him
           yield
           up
           the
           Ghost
           ?
           Zeal
           which
           made
           his
           Soul
           all
           Gloominess
           and
           Horror
           ,
           depriv'd
           him
           of
           the
           usual
           Manifestations
           of
           his
           Fathers
           Love
           ,
           forc'd
           him
           to
           cry
           out
           
             that
             his
             GOD
             had
             forsaken
             him
             ,
          
           and
           in
           the
           bitterest
           Agonies
           of
           Soul
           and
           Body
           to
           expire
           .
           This
           was
           wonderful
           Zeal
           indeed
           ,
           nay
           Zeal
           that
           wants
           a
           Name
           ,
           being
           beyond
           our
           Expressions
           ,
           and
           even
           too
           narrow
           Thoughts
           :
           Yet
           such
           as
           shou'd
           strongly
           engage
           us
           to
           the
           exactest
           Imitation
           we
           are
           capable
           of
           ,
           and
           turn
           our
           whole
           Soul
           into
           Flames
           of
           Zeal
           and
           Love
           for
           him
           ,
           to
           whom
           we
           owe
           whatever
           we
           enjoy
           or
           hope
           for
           ,
           who
           even
           lay'd
           down
           his
           Life
           for
           us
           ,
           to
           Rescue
           us
           from
           Misery
           ,
           and
           Intitle
           us
           to
           Eternal
           Glory
           .
        
         
           Such
           Examples
           of
           Zeal
           does
           the
           Word
           of
           GOD
           set
           before
           us
           ,
           the
           best
           &
           greatest
           we
           can
           have
           ,
           even
           Patriarchs
           &
           Kings
           ,
           Prophets
           and
           Apostles
           ,
           and
           above
           all
           the
           Great
           Captain
           of
           our
           Salvation
           ,
           the
           Holy
           Jesus
           .
           And
           while
           we
           have
           these
           in
           view
           ,
           can
           any
           of
           us
           be
           
           cold
           and
           indifferent
           in
           that
           Service
           ,
           which
           is
           most
           acceptable
           to
           GOD
           ,
           
             the
             Promotion
             of
             Religion
             ,
             and
             Reformation
             of
             Manners
          
           ?
           In
           othe●
           Cases
           Examples
           raise
           a
           Generous
           Emulation
           ,
           they
           give
           us
           Courage
           to
           attempt
           the
           most
           difficult
           Undertakings
           ,
           and
           Constancy
           to
           endure
           the
           greatest
           Tryals
           :
           And
           shall
           this
           be
           the
           single
           Instance
           ,
           in
           which
           we
           are
           not
           asham'd
           to
           be
           out-done
           by
           all
           ?
           Let
           us
           then
           blush
           and
           hang
           down
           our
           Heads
           ,
           when
           we
           compare
           our
           own
           Slothfulness
           with
           the
           unweary'd
           Labours
           of
           others
           ,
           and
           find
           our selves
           backward
           to
           meet
           with
           Difficulties
           and
           Dangers
           ,
           in
           a
           Service
           wherein
           so
           many
           have
           chearfully
           Sacrific'd
           their
           Lives
           .
        
         
           But
           to
           these
           Primitive
           Examples
           ,
           give
           me
           leave
           to
           add
           one
           of
           this
           present
           Age
           ,
           of
           a
           Person
           Eminent
           for
           the
           Greatness
           of
           her
           Station
           ,
           much
           more
           for
           Piety
           and
           Goodness
           ,
           whose
           Memory
           we
           all
           Honour
           ,
           and
           whose
           Untimely
           Death
           we
           yet
           bewail
           ,
           I
           mean
           our
           late
           
             Excellent
             QUEEN
          
           ,
           whose
           Zeal
           for
           Piety
           and
           Religion
           ,
           seem'd
           to
           our-shine
           Her
           other
           Excellent
           Qualities
           .
           She
           was
           not
           Diverted
           by
           the
           Solicitudes
           of
           a
           Crown
           ,
           from
           neglecting
           any
           Religious
           Duty
           Her self
           :
           Her
           Example
           Recommended
           Piety
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           with
           all
           its
           Native
           Charms
           :
           And
           in
           Her
           appear'd
           all
           the
           Majesty
           of
           a
           Queen
           ,
           with
           the
           Unaffected
           Humility
           of
           the
           Devoutest
           Christian.
           Nothing
           went
           nearer
           Her
           Heart
           ,
           than
           that
           Immorality
           and
           Prophaness
           ,
           She
           perceiv'd
           every
           where
           prevailing
           ,
           and
           nothing
           with
           so
           much
           Joy
           did
           She
           Encourage
           ,
           as
           what
           had
           a
           tendency
           towards
           
             Reformation
             of
             Manners
          
           .
           Of
           which
           I
           need
           give
           but
           one
           Instance
           ,
           the
           Countenance
           She
           gave
           the
           
             Societies
             for
             Reformation
             in
          
           England
           .
           
             For
             (
             as
             we
             learn
             from
             a
             very
             Pious
             and
             Useful
             Book
             Intitled
             ,
             
             
               An
               Account
               of
               the
               Societies
               for
               Reformation
               of
               Manners
               ,
            
             &c.
             )
             having
             this
             Affair
             laid
             before
             her
             ,
             in
             the
             absence
             of
             the
             King
             ,
             by
             a
             Prelate
             of
             Great
             Learning
             and
             Fame
             ,
             (
             the
             late
             Lord
             Bishop
             of
             Worcester
             )
             she
             had
             just
             Sentiments
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             therefore
             thought
             it
             became
             her
             to
             give
             it
             Countenance
             :
             She
             Graciously
             condescended
             to
             Thank
             those
             who
             were
             concern'd
             in
             it
             ,
             and
             readily
             promised
             them
             her
             Assistance
             ;
             and
             afterwards
             upon
             Application
             made
             to
             her
             Majesty
             ,
             she
             was
             pleased
             to
             send
             her
             Letter
             to
             the
             
             
               Justices
               of
            
             Middlesex
             ,
             Commanding
             them
             to
             
               put
               the
               Laws
               against
               Prophaness
               and
               Vice
               in
               Execution
               ,
               with
               all
               Fidelity
               and
               Impartiality
               :
               And
               to
               this
               end
               ,
               that
               they
               shou'd
               be
               careful
               and
               diligent
               in
               Encouraging
               all
               Persons
               to
               do
               their
               Part
               ,
               in
               giving
               Informmations
               against
               Offenders
               ,
               as
               they
               were
               obliged
               by
               their
               Oath
               ,
               as
               Magistrates
               to
               do
            
             :
             And
             when
             there
             was
             further
             occasion
             ,
             she
             shew'd
             she
             was
             in
             Earnest
             to
             promote
             this
             Design
             ,
             by
             taking
             other
             more
             Effectual
             Methods
             for
             that
             purpose
             .
             And
             she
             took
             particular
             satisfaction
             ,
             
             in
             those
             other
             Societies
             of
             Religious
             Persons
             ,
             who
             meet
             to
             Pray
             ,
             Sing
             Psalms
             ,
             and
             Read
             the
             Holy
             Scriptures
             together
             ;
             and
             to
             Reprove
             ,
             Exhort
             and
             Edifie
             one
             another
             ,
             by
             their
             Religious
             Conferences
             ;
             she
             enquired
             often
             and
             much
             about
             them
             ,
             and
             was
             glad
             they
             went
             on
             and
             prevailed
             .
          
        
         
           Such
           was
           the
           Hearty
           and
           Affectionate
           Concern
           ,
           such
           were
           the
           Zealous
           Endeavours
           ,
           of
           that
           Excellent
           Woman
           ,
           to
           promote
           this
           great
           Work
           of
           Reforming
           a
           Wicked
           Age
           :
           Of
           her
           ,
           who
           was
           the
           Glory
           and
           Ornament
           of
           her
           Sex
           and
           Crown
           ;
           who
           now
           enjoys
           the
           Reward
           of
           her
           Piety
           and
           Zeal
           ,
           
             a
             Crown
             incorruptible
             and
             that
             fadeth
             not
             away
             .
          
           She
           esteem'd
           the
           Persons
           who
           were
           principally
           concern'd
           in
           it
           ,
           and
           approv'd
           of
           the
           Methods
           propos'd
           to
           accomplish
           it
           ;
           and
           is
           not
           her
           Approbation
           alone
           ,
           a
           sufficient
           Answer
           ,
           to
           all
           the
           Objections
           that
           have
           been
           rais'd
           against
           it
           ?
           Hers
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           whose
           Judgment
           and
           Prudence
           ,
           were
           equal
           to
           Her
           Piety
           and
           High
           Condition
           ?
           And
           shou'd
           not
           so
           Great
           ,
           so
           Good
           an
           Example
           ,
           engage
           Persons
           of
           all
           Ranks
           and
           Qualities
           ,
           to
           joyn
           Vigorously
           in
           Prosecuting
           the
           same
           Design
           ?
           Shou'd
           it
           not
           especially
           Inflame
           the
           Zeal
           of
           Her
           own
           Sex
           ,
           and
           Influence
           them
           to
           do
           all
           that
           in
           them
           lies
           ,
           to
           Check
           and
           Restrain
           Vice
           ,
           to
           Encourage
           and
           Promote
           Piety
           and
           Virtue
           ?
        
         
           They
           Boasted
           of
           Her
           (
           and
           very
           justly
           )
           while
           She
           Liv'd
           ,
           they
           profess
           a
           Veneration
           for
           Her
           very
           Name
           ,
           now
           that
           She
           is
           gone
           ;
           let
           them
           shew
           it
           by
           Contributing
           what
           they
           can
           ,
           to
           that
           Noble
           Undertaking
           ,
           wherein
           She
           express'd
           so
           much
           Satisfaction
           .
           And
           if
           they
           have
           but
           Zeal
           ,
           they
           cannot
           want
           ways
           of
           expressing
           it
           to
           their
           own
           great
           Honour
           ,
           and
           the
           benefit
           of
           the
           World.
           
           They
           may
           serve
           it
           by
           their
           Prayers
           ,
           (
           in
           the
           constancy
           and
           fervency
           whereof
           ,
           we
           must
           own
           they
           usually
           exceed
           us
           ,
           )
           and
           draw
           down
           upon
           it
           the
           Blessings
           of
           Heaven
           .
           They
           can
           often
           with
           great
           Advantage
           Recommend
           it
           to
           others
           ,
           and
           Engage
           Persons
           of
           Power
           and
           Authority
           to
           Encourage
           it
           .
           And
           Lastly
           ,
           they
           may
           do
           much
           towards
           Reforming
           the
           World
           ,
           by
           a
           Prudent
           Management
           of
           their
           Families
           ,
           by
           instilling
           good
           Principles
           into
           their
           Children
           betimes
           ,
           and
           making
           them
           in
           Love
           with
           GOD
           and
           Religion
           ;
           as
           also
           by
           a
           strict
           and
           constant
           Inspection
           ,
           into
           the
           Lives
           and
           Manners
           of
           their
           Servants
           .
        
         
           And
           if
           there
           needed
           any
           other
           Motive
           to
           excite
           their
           Zeal
           ,
           after
           mentioning
           the
           Example
           of
           our
           Excellent
           QUEEN
           .
           I
           wou'd
           desire
           them
           to
           consider
           ,
           that
           one
           main
           Branch
           of
           that
           Publick
           
             Reformation
             of
             our
             Manners
          
           ,
           which
           is
           attempted
           at
           this
           time
           ,
           does
           directly
           tend
           to
           Vindicate
           the
           Credit
           of
           their
           Sex.
           They
           must
           be
           sensible
           ,
           that
           it
           suffers
           by
           those
           Wretched
           Creatures
           who
           are
           lost
           to
           Shame
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Virtue
           :
           They
           know
           too
           well
           ,
           that
           there
           have
           been
           some
           such
           Instances
           ,
           even
           among
           those
           of
           more
           considerable
           Rank
           ,
           and
           that
           Honour
           and
           Wealth
           have
           been
           the
           Rewards
           of
           a
           Scandalous
           Prostitution
           ;
           and
           they
           cannot
           be
           Ignorant
           what
           uncharitable
           Censures
           from
           the
           Observation
           of
           the
           Bad
           ,
           have
           been
           pass'd
           upon
           the
           Good
           and
           Virtuous
           .
           And
           must
           not
           such
           Rejoice
           ,
           when
           they
           see
           those
           Wretches
           Punish'd
           ,
           who
           Dishonour
           their
           Sex
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           their
           Religion
           ?
           They
           must
           ,
           they
           will
           express
           their
           Abhorrence
           of
           a
           Strumpet
           ,
           let
           her
           Quality
           be
           never
           so
           High
           ,
           and
           will
           leave
           nothing
           unattempted
           ,
           to
           Banish
           such
           from
           the
           Society
           of
           those
           ,
           who
           have
           any
           regard
           for
           Modesty
           and
           Virtue
           .
           So
           will
           they
           be
           Glorious
           Instruments
           in
           Promoting
           
             Reformation
             of
             Manners
          
           ,
           and
           share
           with
           us
           ,
           in
           the
           Honour
           and
           Advantage
           of
           so
           useful
           a
           Design
           
             in
             this
             World
          
           ,
           and
           share
           with
           Her
           in
           Glory
           ,
           whose
           Example
           I
           have
           been
           Recommending
           to
           them
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           Another
           Motive
           to
           excite
           and
           confirm
           our
           Zeal
           against
           Prophaness
           and
           Vice
           is
           this
           ,
           That
           the
           Endeavours
           of
           Good
           Men
           in
           this
           Kingdom
           to
           Promote
           Reformation
           o●
           Manners
           ,
           have
           been
           highly
           applauded
           in
           England
           .
           Gre●●●
           〈…〉
           ●aid
           
           of
           them
           there
           ,
           and
           greater
           expected
           from
           them
           .
           This
           we
           Learn
           from
           several
           Hands
           ,
           particularly
           the
           Book
           I
           already
           Quoted
           ,
           in
           these
           words
           .
           
           —
           
             The
             Endeavours
             of
             these
             Gentlemen
             have
             not
             been
             confin'd
             to
             this
             City
             and
             Kingdom
             ,
             but
             have
             extended
             as
             far
             as
             Ireland
             ,
             where
             they
             have
             had
             an
             Influence
             ,
             very
             litle
             ,
             I
             think
             to
             the
             Honour
             of
             that
             Kingdom
             ,
             from
             whence
             it
             had
             its
             
               First
               Rise
            
             ,
             of
             which
             since
             a
             more
             particular
             account
             may
             be
             expected
             ;
             I
             may
             satisfie
             my self
             at
             present
             ,
             with
             saying
             in
             general
             of
             my
             own
             Knowledge
             ,
             that
             the
             Transactions
             ,
             of
             Reformation
             here
             ,
             having
             been
             ,
             near
             
               Two
               Years
            
             since
             ,
             laid
             before
             some
             few
             Persons
             in
             Ireland
             ,
             and
             most
             of
             those
             (
             I
             must
             again
             observe
             )
             
               Private
               Persons
            
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             
               Lower
               Rank
            
             of
             Men
             ,
             with
             proper
             considerations
             to
             move
             e'm
             to
             unite
             in
             the
             same
             Design
             ,
             and
             Methods
             to
             pursue
             it
             with
             Advantage
             ,
             it
             determined
             them
             to
             engage
             heartily
             in
             it
             ;
             and
             they
             have
             Prosecuted
             it
             with
             so
             much
             Vigour
             ,
             that
             there
             are
             now
             
               several
               Societies
            
             for
             Reformation
             ,
             in
             the
             City
             of
             Dublin
             ;
             which
             I
             am
             assured
             by
             divers
             Accounts
             ,
             that
             I
             have
             in
             my
             Hands
             from
             thence
             ,
             are
             spreading
             into
             several
             Parts
             of
             the
             Kingdom
             ,
             and
             are
             Encourag'd
             by
             His
             Excellency
             the
             Earl
             of
             Galway
             ,
             one
             of
             the
             
               Lords
               Justices
            
             of
             Ireland
             ,
             The
             Right
             Reverend
             the
             Arch-Bishop
             of
             Dublin
             ,
             many
             of
             the
             Clergy
             ,
             and
             the
             Best
             of
             the
             Magistrates
             and
             Gentlemen
             of
             that
             City
             :
             In
             one
             of
             which
             Societies
             ,
             most
             of
             the
             Parish-Ministers
             of
             Dublin
             ,
             several
             of
             the
             
               Pious
               Bishops
            
             ,
             particularly
             ,
             the
             Celebrated
             Arch-Bishop
             ,
             and
             divers
             other
             
               Persons
               of
               Quality
            
             are
             Members
             ;
             some
             of
             which
             have
             shewn
             a
             Zeal
             ,
             which
             if
             it
             prevail'd
             the
             
               Three
               Kingdoms
            
             over
             ,
             might
             soon
             produce
             a
             Glorious
             Reverse
             of
             the
             State
             they
             are
             now
             in
             ,
             and
             which
             in
             less
             than
             
               Two
               Years
            
             space
             hath
             succeeded
             ,
             (
             tho
             not
             without
             such
             various
             Oppositions
             ,
             as
             might
             be
             expected
             from
             Combinations
             of
             Bad
             Men
             )
             to
             that
             degree
             in
             Dublin
             ,
             that
             the
             Prophanation
             of
             the
             Lords-Day
             ,
             by
             Tipling
             in
             
               Publick
               Houses
            
             ,
             by
             Exercising
             of
             Trade
             ,
             and
             Exposing
             of
             Goods
             to
             Sale
             ,
             is
             almost
             suppress'd
             ;
             that
             
               Lewd
               Women
            
             are
             so
             strictly
             enquired
             after
             ,
             and
             severely
             Punished
             ,
             that
             they
             have
             Transported
             themselves
             ,
             as
             in
             England
             ,
             to
             our
             Plantations
             ;
             
             and
             that
             Swearing
             is
             so
             run
             down
             ,
             that
             an
             Oath
             is
             rarely
             heard
             in
             their
             Streets
             ;
             so
             that
             
               Publick
               Disorders
            
             are
             remarkably
             Cured
             ;
             and
             in
             short
             ,
             Vice
             is
             afraid
             and
             asham'd
             to
             shew
             its
             Head
             ,
             where
             within
             a
             few
             Years
             past
             ,
             it
             was
             Daring
             and
             Triumphant
             .
          
        
         
           This
           Account
           ,
           Blessed
           be
           GOD
           ,
           is
           in
           the
           main
           true
           ,
           and
           my
           Design
           in
           mentioning
           it
           to
           you
           ,
           is
           not
           to
           Please
           or
           Flatter
           you
           ,
           by
           telling
           what
           you
           have
           done
           ,
           but
           to
           excite
           and
           spur
           you
           on
           to
           double
           your
           diligence
           ,
           and
           make
           it
           more
           apparent
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           how
           answerable
           your
           Zeal
           is
           ,
           to
           the
           Character
           that
           has
           been
           publickly
           given
           of
           it
           .
           Commendations
           do
           generally
           improve
           ,
           and
           nourish
           Virtue
           ;
           and
           will
           it
           not
           be
           base
           and
           dishonourable
           ,
           shou'd
           we
           hereafter
           fall
           short
           of
           what
           is
           publish'd
           to
           the
           World
           concerning
           us
           ?
           Are
           our
           Magistrates
           and
           Clergy
           Commended
           ,
           for
           discharging
           their
           Duty
           with
           
             so
             much
             Zeal
          
           ?
           And
           shou'd
           not
           those
           among
           us
           Blush
           who
           are
           conscious
           to
           themselves
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           Intitled
           to
           none
           of
           these
           Praises
           ?
           Let
           us
           then
           resolve
           not
           to
           lose
           the
           Reputation
           we
           have
           already
           gain'd
           ;
           least
           it
           be
           hereafter
           as
           publickly
           declar'd
           of
           us
           ,
           that
           for
           a
           while
           indeed
           we
           seem'd
           warm
           ,
           and
           in
           earnest
           against
           Vice
           ,
           but
           that
           our
           First
           Fervours
           are
           gone
           ,
           and
           we
           are
           unhappily
           reconcil'd
           to
           our
           Old
           Sins
           ;
           and
           are
           lyable
           to
           the
           Character
           of
           the
           
             Foolish
             Builders
          
           who
           began
           a
           good
           Work
           indeed
           ,
           but
           cou'd
           not
           bring
           it
           to
           an
           end
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           we
           ought
           no
           more
           to
           do
           a
           Good
           Action
           to
           be
           Prais'd
           of
           Men
           ,
           than
           we
           shou'd
           do
           an
           Evil
           one
           ,
           to
           avoid
           their
           Censures
           :
           And
           I
           trust
           in
           GOD
           that
           your
           Zeal
           will
           never
           be
           Infected
           with
           the
           least
           mixture
           of
           
             Vain
             Glory
          
           .
           Yet
           just
           Praises
           are
           the
           Rewards
           of
           Virtue
           ,
           and
           shou'd
           be
           so
           esteem'd
           .
           And
           it
           is
           our
           Duty
           not
           only
           to
           be
           sincerely
           Religious
           ,
           but
           open
           Advocates
           for
           Piety
           ;
           to
           stir
           up
           others
           by
           our
           Zeal
           ,
           and
           
             so
             to
             let
             our
             Light
             shine
             before
             Men
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             see
             our
             good
             Works
             ,
             and
             Glorifie
             our
             Father
             which
             is
             in
             Heaven
             .
          
        
         
           I
           might
           mention
           ,
           as
           another
           Motive
           ,
           to
           excite
           and
           confirm
           your
           Zeal
           against
           
             Prophaness
             and
             Vice
          
           ,
           the
           necessity
           of
           it
           ,
           to
           avert
           the
           just
           Wrath
           and
           heavy
           Judgments
           of
           GOD
           ,
           and
           the
           reason
           we
           have
           to
           expect
           and
           dread
           them
           if
           Iniquity
           still
           prevail
           :
           And
           that
           we
           can
           hope
           to
           escape
           them
           on
           no
           other
           Terms
           ,
           than
           our
           
           Endeavouring
           with
           great
           Industry
           and
           Sincerity
           ,
           to
           suppress
           all
           kinds
           of
           Wickedness
           .
        
         
           The
           truth
           of
           this
           might
           be
           easily
           demonstrated
           from
           the
           Word
           of
           GOD
           ,
           and
           from
           the
           End
           and
           Reason
           of
           this
           Judgments
           ;
           this
           is
           most
           apparent
           from
           his
           Method
           of
           dealing
           with
           other
           Nations
           ,
           of
           this
           we
           may
           be
           convinc'd
           from
           his
           dealings
           with
           our selves
           :
           But
           this
           has
           been
           so
           fully
           insisted
           on
           ,
           and
           largely
           prov'd
           by
           others
           ,
           that
           I
           shall
           do
           no
           more
           than
           name
           it
           ;
           And
           pass
           on
           to
           a
        
         
           
             Fifth
             Motive
          
           ,
           to
           excite
           and
           confirm
           our
           Zeal
           for
           
             Reformation
             of
             Manners
          
           ,
           and
           against
           all
           Prophane
           and
           Immoral
           Practices
           ,
           namely
           ,
           that
           we
           have
           reason
           to
           hope
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           prove
           hereafter
           an
           excellent
           means
           of
           Uniting
           the
           
             Establish'd
             Church
          
           ,
           and
           the
           Dissenters
           ;
           and
           of
           Propagating
           the
           
             Reform'd
             Religion
          
           ,
           among
           those
           who
           are
           Strangers
           to
           it
           ,
           and
           prejudic'd
           against
           it
           .
        
         
           It
           will
           not
           be
           here
           needful
           to
           inquire
           into
           the
           Immediate
           Causes
           of
           our
           unhappy
           Divisions
           ,
           nor
           shall
           I
           take
           up
           your
           time
           in
           Lamenting
           the
           Miseries
           which
           have
           been
           ,
           and
           still
           are
           the
           consequences
           of
           them
           .
           It
           concerns
           us
           much
           more
           to
           learn
           ,
           how
           our
           Breaches
           may
           be
           Heal'd
           ,
           and
           those
           Wounds
           Cur'd
           ,
           which
           have
           often
           reduc'd
           our
           Religion
           to
           a
           very
           Languishing
           Condition
           .
        
         
           And
           they
           who
           have
           most
           seriously
           considered
           this
           matter
           ,
           have
           with
           great
           reason
           observ'd
           ,
           that
           nothing
           will
           more
           allay
           our
           Heats
           and
           Animosities
           ;
           nothing
           lay
           a
           better
           Foundation
           for
           a
           firm
           and
           lasting
           Union
           among
           Protestants
           ,
           than
           our
           becoming
           Zealous
           and
           Active
           against
           
             Vice
             and
             Prophaness
          
           .
        
         
           For
           First
           ,
           our
           jointly
           endeavouring
           to
           beat
           down
           Publick
           Wickedness
           ,
           must
           needs
           Unite
           the
           Affections
           of
           all
           those
           who
           are
           concern'd
           ,
           in
           that
           Excellent
           Undertaking
           .
           We
           cannot
           but
           Love
           and
           Value
           all
           who
           have
           an
           Active
           Zeal
           for
           GOD
           and
           Religion
           ,
           tho
           in
           some
           things
           ,
           their
           Judgments
           may
           be
           different
           from
           ours
           .
           There
           are
           Charms
           in
           Piety
           ,
           which
           none
           can
           resist
           ,
           and
           if
           we
           Love
           GOD
           our selves
           ,
           we
           must
           Love
           those
           also
           who
           serve
           him
           in
           Humility
           and
           Sincerity
           of
           Heart
           ,
           tho
           we
           may
           judge
           them
           mistaken
           in
           things
           of
           lesser
           Moment
           .
           But
           now
           Unity
           of
           Affection
           is
           a
           necessary
           Preparative
           for
           Unity
           of
           Judgment
           ;
           and
           true
           Holy
           Zeal
           Unites
           the
           Minds
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Hearts
           of
           all
           
           those
           in
           whom
           it
           dwells
           .
           And
           if
           we
           go
           on
           to
           assist
           one
           another
           in
           Suppressing
           
             Lewdness
             ,
             Immorality
          
           and
           Prophaness
           ,
           we
           will
           soon
           be
           convinc'd
           that
           differences
           of
           Opinion
           ,
           about
           the
           circumstances
           of
           Religion
           ,
           when
           we
           agree
           in
           all
           the
           Essentials
           of
           it
           ,
           shou'd
           never
           make
           us
           Hate
           and
           Calumniate
           one
           another
           .
           But
           that
           whatever
           our
           Sentiments
           ,
           as
           to
           some
           particulars
           may
           be
           ,
           we
           are
           Brethren
           and
           Fellow
           Christians
           ,
           Servants
           of
           the
           same
           Lord
           ,
           Partakers
           of
           the
           same
           Blessed
           Hope
           ,
           and
           Heirs
           of
           the
           same
           Eternal
           Kingdom
           :
           That
           tho
           we
           differ
           in
           a
           little
           in
           the
           Roads
           we
           take
           ,
           yet
           we
           both
           direct
           our
           Course
           ,
           towards
           the
           same
           Heaven
           ,
           whither
           they
           who
           are
           truly
           Pious
           ,
           Humble
           and
           Sincere
           of
           both
           Parties
           ,
           may
           hope
           to
           arrive
           at
           last
           ,
           and
           where
           without
           Controversie
           or
           Dispute
           ,
           they
           shall
           for
           ever
           dwell
           together
           ,
           in
           the
           profoundest
           Peace
           ,
           and
           most
           charitable
           Agreement
           .
        
         
           But
           as
           our
           being
           truly
           Zealous
           against
           Prophaness
           and
           Vice
           ,
           has
           a
           natural
           tendency
           to
           Unite
           our
           Affections
           ,
           so
           in
           the
           
             Second
             place
          
           ,
           it
           will
           convince
           us
           of
           the
           necessity
           of
           Uniting
           together
           ,
           in
           Worship
           ,
           and
           Sacraments
           ,
           and
           every
           other
           way
           .
           For
           the
           more
           Zealous
           we
           are
           against
           Vice
           ,
           the
           more
           clearly
           will
           we
           see
           ,
           the
           great
           Mischiefs
           which
           are
           caus'd
           by
           our
           Divisions
           ,
           the
           more
           fully
           will
           we
           be
           convinc'd
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           the
           great
           Hindrances
           of
           a
           
             General
             Reformation
             of
             Manners
          
           ;
           that
           the
           most
           prevailing
           Vices
           and
           Impieties
           are
           owing
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           that
           till
           they
           be
           remov'd
           ,
           Reformation
           may
           be
           wish'd
           for
           ,
           but
           can
           never
           be
           happily
           Effected
           .
        
         
           For
           this
           is
           the
           great
           Popular
           Objection
           ,
           against
           our
           Religion
           ,
           insisted
           on
           so
           much
           by
           the
           Enemies
           of
           Piety
           ,
           that
           there
           are
           so
           many
           Parties
           among
           us
           ,
           that
           they
           know
           not
           whom
           to
           close
           with
           ,
           and
           therefore
           will
           treat
           them
           all
           with
           equal
           Neglect
           and
           Scorn
           .
           This
           is
           what
           some
           pretend
           to
           justifie
           their
           Impiety
           ,
           and
           is
           the
           real
           cause
           ,
           why
           others
           are
           Prophane
           ;
           and
           cannot
           be
           but
           a
           Stumbling
           Block
           to
           many
           weak
           Minds
           .
           Besides
           ,
           Dissentions
           in
           Religion
           ,
           destroy
           Ecclesiastical
           Discipline
           ,
           and
           deprive
           Church
           Censures
           of
           their
           Force
           .
           They
           enfeeble
           the
           Civil
           Power
           ,
           and
           compell
           Magistrates
           to
           Wink
           at
           great
           Irregularities
           .
           They
           distract
           Private
           Families
           ,
           and
           separate
           the
           nearest
           Relations
           .
           Where
           they
           
           prevail
           ,
           the
           State
           is
           seldom
           free
           from
           Tumultuous
           Disorders
           ,
           not
           the
           Church
           from
           numerous
           Heresies
           and
           Schisms
           without
           end
           .
           And
           in
           short
           ,
           they
           naturally
           lead
           to
           the
           Subversion
           of
           all
           sober
           Religion
           ,
           all
           Peace
           and
           Order
           .
           Nay
           our
           Divisions
           ,
           not
           only
           cause
           most
           of
           our
           Distempers
           ,
           but
           hinder
           our
           Cure
           ,
           they
           weaken
           the
           Hands
           ,
           and
           obstruct
           the
           Endeavours
           of
           those
           ,
           who
           are
           Zealous
           for
           Suppressing
           Publick
           Vices
           .
           For
           he
           must
           be
           a
           Stranger
           to
           Humane
           Nature
           who
           does
           not
           know
           ,
           that
           so
           long
           as
           there
           are
           separate
           Parties
           ,
           there
           will
           be
           separate
           Interests
           ,
           and
           that
           many
           will
           Prosecute
           their
           particular
           Designs
           ,
           to
           the
           prejudice
           of
           the
           common
           cause
           of
           Religion
           .
           One
           Party
           will
           be
           sometimes
           for
           Acting
           alone
           ,
           and
           that
           will
           raise
           Jealousies
           in
           the
           other
           ;
           at
           least
           there
           's
           cause
           to
           fear
           that
           they
           will
           not
           always
           Act
           with
           that
           Confidence
           in
           each
           other
           ,
           upon
           which
           in
           a
           great
           measure
           their
           Success
           depends
           .
           These
           things
           I
           confess
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           so
           ,
           and
           all
           that
           can
           be
           said
           for
           them
           is
           ,
           with
           Humility
           to
           own
           ,
           that
           even
           good
           Men
           are
           Frail
           ,
           and
           not
           above
           the
           Passions
           and
           Weaknesses
           incident
           to
           our
           Nature
           .
           But
           now
           they
           who
           are
           truly
           Zealous
           against
           Prophaness
           and
           Vice
           ,
           must
           needs
           be
           sensible
           how
           Fatal
           our
           particular
           Controversies
           are
           to
           Christianity
           in
           general
           ,
           to
           Piety
           &
           Virtue
           .
           And
           therefore
           they
           cannot
           but
           pray
           for
           Unity
           ,
           with
           all
           the
           Fervour
           of
           their
           Souls
           ,
           and
           will
           spare
           no
           Pains
           to
           procure
           so
           inestimable
           a
           Blessing
           .
           All
           prudent
           Attempts
           for
           Peace
           ,
           they
           will
           Encourage
           and
           Promote
           ,
           and
           submit
           to
           many
           Inconveniences
           ,
           rather
           than
           want
           it
           .
           And
           if
           all
           Parties
           among
           us
           ,
           were
           thus
           
             Zealously
             Affected
          
           ,
           if
           every
           one
           laid
           to
           Heart
           our
           Crying
           Sins
           ,
           and
           consider'd
           our
           Divisions
           as
           (
           and
           such
           sure
           I
           am
           ,
           they
           have
           been
           and
           are
           )
           one
           Principle
           Cause
           of
           them
           :
           How
           soon
           might
           we
           hope
           to
           see
           a
           happy
           Change
           !
           How
           fast
           wou'd
           all
           our
           Disputes
           and
           Controversies
           Fall
           and
           Dye
           !
           Then
           we
           shou'd
           soon
           behold
           what
           David
           pronounces
           so
           Good
           ,
           and
           
             Pleasant
             ,
             Brethren
             Dwelling
          
           and
           Worshiping
           GOD
           
             together
             in
             Unity
          
           and
           Peace
           :
           And
           our
           Church
           below
           ,
           wou'd
           in
           all
           respects
           be
           a
           lively
           Emblem
           of
           the
           Church
           Triumphant
           in
           Heaven
           .
        
         
           But
           farther
           Thirdly
           ,
           Our
           being
           
             Zealously
             Affected
          
           against
           
             Prophaness
             and
             Vice
          
           ,
           will
           if
           we
           continue
           and
           persevere
           in
           our
           Zeal
           ,
           
           lay
           a
           firm
           Foundation
           for
           a
           lasting
           Union
           among
           us
           ,
           because
           it
           will
           turn
           our
           Zeal
           into
           its
           true
           Channel
           ,
           and
           fix
           it
           upon
           its
           right
           Object
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           the
           Suppressing
           of
           known
           Sins
           ,
           and
           the
           Promoting
           of
           Piety
           and
           Virtue
           ,
           and
           
             Reformation
             of
             Manners
          
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           very
           certain
           ,
           and
           much
           to
           be
           lamented
           ,
           that
           many
           ,
           both
           Members
           of
           the
           Establish'd
           Church
           and
           Dissenters
           also
           ,
           are
           more
           Zealous
           for
           their
           particular
           Opinions
           wherein
           they
           differ
           ,
           than
           the
           great
           things
           of
           Religion
           wherein
           they
           agree
           .
           This
           is
           manifest
           from
           the
           Practice
           of
           both
           .
           Thus
           we
           find
           that
           those
           who
           seem
           warm
           for
           the
           Establish'd
           Constitutions
           ,
           shall
           be
           esteem'd
           and
           valu'd
           by
           others
           of
           the
           same
           Principles
           ,
           tho
           Guilty
           of
           many
           Irregularities
           in
           their
           Lives
           .
           And
           the
           Case
           is
           the
           very
           same
           among
           the
           Dissenters
           .
           Those
           who
           are
           hearty
           for
           their
           Interests
           and
           firm
           to
           their
           Party
           ,
           shall
           be
           Caress'd
           and
           Celebrated
           for
           their
           Zeal
           ,
           tho
           in
           many
           things
           their
           Practices
           are
           Immoral
           .
           Now
           of
           this
           I
           can
           assign
           no
           other
           Reason
           ,
           but
           that
           the
           Zeal
           of
           both
           Parties
           ,
           has
           been
           unhappily
           Diverted
           from
           things
           of
           the
           greatest
           ,
           to
           those
           of
           little
           importance
           ,
           in
           comparison
           of
           the
           other
           .
           And
           not
           only
           so
           ,
           but
           mightily
           inflam'd
           by
           the
           Artifices
           of
           our
           Common
           Enemies
           .
           It
           has
           been
           the
           constant
           Endeavour
           of
           those
           who
           study'd
           our
           Ruin
           ,
           strongly
           to
           engage
           us
           in
           Contentions
           ,
           about
           the
           Out-side
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           our
           minds
           were
           kept
           in
           such
           a
           constant
           ferment
           and
           hurry
           by
           these
           Differences
           ,
           that
           we
           cou'd
           not
           observe
           ,
           at
           least
           did
           not
           ,
           sufficiently
           consider
           it
           ,
           how
           Atheism
           and
           Infidelity
           ,
           Irreligion
           and
           Vice
           ,
           were
           entering
           in
           at
           our
           Breaches
           .
           We
           were
           like
           the
           Unfortunate
           Inhabitants
           of
           Jerusalem
           during
           the
           last
           Dreadful
           Siege
           ,
           who
           were
           more
           Violent
           against
           one
           another
           ,
           than
           the
           Romans
           ,
           the
           avow'd
           Enemies
           of
           them
           all
           .
        
         
           But
           now
           were
           our
           Zeal
           once
           Vigorously
           Employ'd
           ,
           in
           beating
           down
           Vice
           and
           Prophaness
           ,
           were
           our
           Warmth
           and
           Industry
           in
           that
           great
           Affair
           ,
           answerable
           to
           the
           moment
           of
           it
           ;
           then
           our
           Passions
           against
           our
           Brethren
           wou'd
           cool
           of
           themselves
           ,
           and
           our
           Resentments
           gradually
           abate
           ,
           and
           at
           last
           be
           quite
           extinguish'd
           .
           Our
           Wounds
           wou'd
           no
           more
           Fester
           ,
           but
           Close
           and
           Heal.
           And
           we
           wou'd
           Love
           and
           Value
           Men
           ,
           not
           according
           to
           their
           Engagements
           
           to
           a
           Party
           ,
           but
           their
           Zeal
           and
           Concern
           for
           Virtue
           and
           Holiness
           and
           all
           our
           Endeavours
           we
           wou'd
           Unite
           against
           the
           Enemies
           of
           Religion
           in
           general
           ,
           the
           
             Vicious
             and
             Prophane
          
           .
        
         
           And
           that
           our
           Zeal
           against
           Vice
           ,
           were
           it
           strong
           and
           Active
           ,
           as
           it
           ought
           to
           be
           ,
           wou'd
           be
           attended
           with
           these
           happy
           Consequences
           ,
           is
           what
           we
           will
           easily
           be
           convinc'd
           of
           ,
           if
           we
           consider
           that
           our
           Faculties
           are
           so
           imperfect
           ,
           that
           they
           cannot
           with
           any
           degree
           of
           Intenseness
           ,
           be
           exercis'd
           at
           once
           upon
           different
           Objects
           ;
           and
           that
           as
           any
           one
           of
           our
           Passions
           ,
           whither
           
             Love
             ,
             Hatred
          
           ,
           or
           Anger
           ,
           encreases
           towards
           one
           Object
           ,
           it
           must
           abate
           with
           respect
           to
           all
           others
           .
           If
           our
           Passion
           is
           divided
           upon
           several
           Objects
           ,
           it
           must
           act
           weakly
           upon
           them
           all
           ,
           if
           confin'd
           to
           one
           ,
           it
           is
           Strong
           and
           Violent
           .
           As
           Rivers
           whatever
           they
           gain
           upon
           the
           Land
           of
           one
           side
           ,
           lose
           proportionably
           of
           the
           other
           ;
           and
           if
           their
           Waters
           run
           in
           one
           Channel
           ,
           they
           are
           impetuous
           ,
           and
           with
           a
           mighty
           Torrent
           ,
           force
           their
           way
           ,
           but
           when
           separated
           into
           many
           Streams
           ,
           they
           glide
           insensibly
           along
           .
           Now
           't
           is
           easie
           to
           apply
           all
           this
           ,
           to
           the
           Case
           before
           us
           .
           So
           long
           as
           we
           were
           warmly
           engag'd
           in
           Disputes
           ,
           about
           Modes
           and
           
             Ceremonies
             ,
             Postures
          
           and
           Garments
           ,
           us'd
           in
           Religious
           Worship
           ,
           it
           was
           not
           in
           our
           Power
           to
           be
           so
           Zealous
           against
           Prophaness
           and
           Vice
           ,
           as
           we
           ought
           to
           have
           been
           ,
           our
           Zeal
           was
           so
           exhausted
           by
           the
           one
           ,
           that
           we
           had
           too
           little
           to
           spare
           for
           the
           other
           .
           But
           now
           that
           our
           Zeal
           begins
           to
           be
           better
           employ'd
           ,
           to
           turn
           into
           another
           ,
           and
           better
           Channel
           ,
           our
           heat
           about
           other
           things
           will
           by
           degrees
           wear
           off
           ,
           and
           a
           
             Holy
             Zeal
          
           against
           Impiety
           ,
           and
           Publick
           Wickedness
           ,
           succeed
           in
           its
           room
           .
           And
           when
           ever
           ,
           by
           the
           Blessing
           of
           GOD
           this
           is
           happily
           Effected
           ,
           will
           we
           not
           be
           apt
           to
           look
           back
           with
           Wonder
           ,
           upon
           our
           former
           Disputes
           and
           Quarrels
           ,
           and
           be
           surpriz'd
           that
           we
           shou'd
           be
           Angry
           with
           one
           another
           ,
           when
           so
           many
           Publick
           Sins
           needed
           all
           our
           Zeal
           and
           Indignation
           ,
           and
           Endeavours
           to
           Suppress
           them
           ?
           Nay
           I
           am
           inclinable
           to
           hope
           ,
           that
           we
           shall
           resemble
           the
           Happy
           Lovers
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           that
           all
           our
           Peevish
           Mistakes
           shall
           be
           chang'd
           into
           Inviolable
           Love
           and
           Friendship
           ,
           into
           the
           highest
           degrees
           of
           Endearment
           and
           Affection
           .
           And
           this
           we
           have
           no
           reason
           to
           despair
           of
           ,
           if
           we
           consider
           in
           the
        
         
         
           
             Fourth
             and
             Last
             place
          
           ,
           that
           our
           being
           
             Zealously
             Affected
          
           against
           
             Prophaness
             and
             Vice
          
           will
           Intitle
           us
           to
           the
           Blessing
           of
           GOD
           ,
           without
           which
           no
           Concord
           ,
           no
           Unity
           ,
           can
           be
           attain'd
           .
        
         
           Many
           have
           wondred
           ,
           considering
           the
           favourable
           Opportunities
           we
           have
           often
           had
           ,
           which
           Invited
           the
           Establish'd
           Church
           and
           Dissenters
           to
           an
           Union
           ,
           considering
           especially
           ,
           how
           much
           our
           Interest
           and
           Common
           Safety
           call'd
           for
           it
           ,
           that
           it
           has
           not
           yet
           been
           Effected
           .
           I
           will
           not
           pretend
           to
           judge
           where
           the
           fault
           lay
           ,
           or
           whence
           it
           came
           to
           pass
           ,
           that
           all
           endeavours
           hitherto
           us'd
           to
           Unite
           us
           have
           miscarry'd
           .
           Only
           it
           may
           be
           in
           general
           observ'd
           ,
           that
           our
           want
           of
           true
           Zeal
           for
           GOD
           and
           Religion
           ;
           our
           great
           Ingratitude
           for
           the
           many
           Mercies
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           that
           Corruption
           of
           Manners
           which
           almost
           universally
           prevail'd
           every
           where
           ;
           all
           these
           I
           say
           ,
           depriv'd
           us
           of
           the
           concurring
           Influence
           of
           Divine
           Providence
           ,
           without
           which
           all
           Humane
           means
           are
           contriv'd
           and
           apply'd
           in
           vain
           ;
           we
           wanted
           that
           ,
           because
           we
           did
           not
           deserve
           it
           ;
           Unity
           and
           Concord
           were
           too
           great
           Blessings
           for
           a
           People
           ,
           who
           had
           made
           such
           ill
           returns
           to
           GOD
           ,
           for
           all
           his
           other
           Favours
           .
        
         
           But
           let
           us
           at
           last
           become
           truly
           Zealous
           for
           Virtue
           and
           Religion
           ,
           and
           decline
           no
           Pains
           to
           Curb
           those
           Vices
           ,
           which
           have
           so
           long
           Triumph'd
           over
           both
           ;
           let
           it
           be
           our
           constant
           Study
           so
           to
           Execute
           the
           Laws
           against
           Impiety
           ,
           that
           whoever
           dares
           be
           Wicked
           ,
           may
           yet
           be
           afraid
           of
           a
           Discovery
           .
           Then
           may
           we
           look
           up
           to
           GOD
           ;
           and
           expect
           his
           Blessing
           upon
           our
           
             Endeavours
             &
             Prayers
          
           for
           Union
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Reformation
           :
           Let
           us
           but
           qualifie
           our selves
           for
           it
           ,
           and
           with
           great
           boldness
           we
           may
           say
           ,
           
             LORD
             speak
             the
             Word
             ,
             and
             thy
             Servants
             shall
             be
             Healed
             .
          
        
         
           And
           shou'd
           the
           goodness
           of
           GOD
           so
           far
           bless
           our
           Zeal
           ,
           as
           at
           once
           to
           make
           it
           the
           means
           of
           Suppressing
           our
           Vices
           ,
           and
           Curing
           our
           Divisions
           ,
           what
           reason
           wou'd
           we
           have
           ,
           with
           all
           the
           Ardours
           of
           the
           Heavenly
           Host
           ,
           to
           Praise
           and
           Adore
           the
           Divine
           Clemency
           and
           Mercy
           !
           Love
           and
           Peace
           
             as
             among
             them
          
           ,
           prevailing
           every
           where
           !
           Piety
           and
           Religion
           gaining
           Proselites
           every
           Day
           !
           and
           none
           daring
           to
           be
           openly
           
             Vicious
             or
             Prophane
          
           !
           These
           are
           I
           own
           ,
           too
           great
           Blessings
           to
           be
           fully
           expected
           in
           this
           World
           ,
           yet
           we
           shou'd
           not
           distrust
           GOD's
           Power
           ,
           nor
           question
           his
           Goodness
           .
           
           Great
           things
           have
           succeeded
           very
           slender
           and
           discouraging
           Beginnings
           :
           And
           it
           is
           agreeable
           to
           the
           Wisdom
           of
           Providence
           ,
           that
           it
           shou'd
           be
           so
           ;
           least
           we
           shou'd
           vainly
           ascribe
           that
           to
           our selves
           ,
           which
           is
           wholly
           due
           to
           GOD.
           
        
         
           But
           it
           is
           not
           we
           alone
           ,
           who
           shall
           receive
           all
           the
           Benefit
           of
           this
           Holy
           Zeal
           ,
           for
           it
           not
           only
           Promotes
           Unity
           and
           Peace
           among
           our selves
           ,
           but
           will
           be
           a
           means
           of
           Propagating
           our
           
             Reform'd
             Religion
          
           among
           those
           who
           are
           Ignorant
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           prejudic'd
           against
           it
           .
        
         
           For
           how
           comes
           it
           to
           pass
           ,
           that
           the
           Reformation
           for
           above
           an
           Age
           ,
           has
           been
           almost
           wholly
           at
           a
           stand
           ,
           or
           rather
           declining
           ?
           And
           if
           it
           has
           any
           where
           gain'd
           Ground
           ,
           it
           has
           in
           other
           places
           lost
           more
           ;
           whereas
           at
           the
           Beginning
           it
           carry'd
           all
           before
           it
           ,
           and
           nothing
           cou'd
           oppose
           its
           Conquests
           ?
           The
           best
           reason
           of
           this
           that
           I
           can
           give
           is
           ,
           that
           the
           Piety
           and
           Zeal
           ,
           the
           Purity
           and
           Stedfastness
           of
           our
           first
           Reformers
           ,
           Charm'd
           and
           Subdu'd
           their
           very
           Enemies
           .
           They
           were
           all
           Eminent
           for
           Holiness
           and
           Goodness
           ,
           for
           Charity
           and
           Zeal
           ,
           for
           Constancy
           and
           Patience
           .
           But
           now
           there
           's
           a
           fatal
           reverse
           of
           things
           ,
           we
           are
           fallen
           into
           many
           of
           those
           Sinful
           Courses
           ,
           which
           heretofore
           were
           peculiar
           to
           the
           Church
           we
           left
           .
           Our
           Zeal
           has
           sensibly
           decay'd
           ,
           Piety
           Flourishes
           not
           among
           us
           ,
           as
           it
           did
           among
           them
           ,
           nor
           is
           the
           Reformation
           of
           our
           Lives
           ,
           answerable
           to
           that
           of
           our
           Faith.
           But
           yet
           if
           the
           Spirit
           which
           acted
           our
           Reformers
           ,
           did
           again
           revive
           in
           us
           ,
           it
           wou'd
           still
           produce
           as
           considerable
           Effects
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           very
           true
           ,
           that
           the
           Prejudices
           which
           those
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           ,
           have
           Suck'd
           in
           their
           Education
           against
           us
           ,
           are
           great
           and
           strong
           ,
           yet
           Exemplary
           Holiness
           ,
           and
           Prudent
           Zeal
           ,
           wou'd
           in
           due
           time
           perfectly
           overcome
           them
           .
           These
           wou'd
           Command
           Respect
           even
           from
           our
           Bitterest
           Enemies
           ,
           and
           effectually
           convince
           them
           of
           the
           Excellency
           of
           our
           Religion
           ,
           did
           they
           see
           so
           good
           Fruits
           of
           it
           in
           our
           Lives
           .
           This
           is
           the
           shortest
           and
           surest
           Method
           of
           dealing
           with
           them
           ,
           for
           after
           all
           that
           can
           be
           said
           ,
           by
           way
           of
           Argument
           ,
           yet
           that
           will
           always
           be
           thought
           the
           best
           Church
           ,
           which
           makes
           the
           Best
           and
           Holiest
           Christians
           :
           And
           unless
           our
           Practices
           be
           much
           better
           than
           theirs
           ,
           they
           will
           never
           believe
           that
           our
           Religion
           can
           be
           so
           .
        
         
         
           We
           may
           boast
           of
           the
           Purity
           of
           our
           Faith
           and
           Worship
           ,
           and
           upbraid
           them
           with
           the
           Superstition
           and
           Absurdity
           of
           theirs
           ;
           but
           after
           all
           ,
           the
           prevailing
           Arguments
           must
           be
           the
           Innocence
           of
           our
           Lives
           ,
           a
           hearty
           Zeal
           for
           the
           Honour
           of
           GOD
           ,
           express'd
           in
           a
           Vigorous
           Prosecution
           of
           all
           that
           's
           Vicious
           and
           Prosphane
           .
           These
           are
           sensible
           Arguments
           ,
           and
           carry
           along
           with
           them
           powerful
           and
           lasting
           Convictions
           ;
           these
           the
           most
           Ignorant
           can
           Comprehned
           ;
           yet
           the
           most
           Learn'd
           cannot
           resist
           .
        
         
           Sixthly
           and
           Lastly
           ,
           
             The
             most
             prevailing
             Motive
             of
             all
             ,
             and
             which
             if
             duly
             weigh'd
             wou'd
             not
             only
             excite
             and
             inflame
             our
          
           Zeal
           ,
           
             but
             preserve
             it
             always
             Vigorous
             and
             Strong
             ,
             is
             the
             Consideration
             of
             its
             exceeding
             great
             Reward
             .
          
           And
           that
           with
           respect
           to
           both
           Worlds
           ,
           in
           this
           it
           affords
           us
           the
           truest
           Satisfactions
           ,
           and
           Intitles
           us
           to
           extraordinary
           degrees
           of
           Glory
           ,
           in
           the
           other
           .
        
         
           As
           to
           this
           World
           ,
           if
           there
           be
           any
           such
           thing
           as
           Satisfaction
           in
           it
           ,
           any
           thing
           exempted
           from
           that
           Vanity
           and
           
             Vexation
             of
             Spirit
          
           ,
           wherewith
           the
           Wise-Man
           has
           charg'd
           the
           whole
           Creation
           .
           It
           does
           ,
           it
           must
           consist
           in
           the
           pleasing
           Reflections
           of
           our
           own
           Minds
           ,
           upon
           the
           good
           we
           have
           done
           to
           Mankind
           ,
           by
           Suppressing
           Prophaness
           and
           Vice
           ,
           and
           Encouraging
           Piety
           and
           Virtue
           .
           This
           is
           a
           Pleasure
           Rational
           and
           Noble
           ,
           proper
           for
           him
           who
           is
           made
           after
           the
           Image
           of
           GOD
           :
           A
           Pleasure
           which
           stands
           the
           Test
           of
           Fruition
           and
           can
           never
           Cloy
           ,
           but
           daily
           gives
           the
           Soul
           a
           grateful
           Relish
           of
           some
           new
           Delight
           :
           A
           Pleasure
           which
           abates
           our
           Troubles
           ,
           and
           qualifies
           our
           Pains
           ,
           which
           blunts
           the
           Edge
           of
           Sorrow
           ,
           and
           calms
           the
           Disorders
           of
           the
           Soul
           ,
           which
           inspires
           us
           with
           Courage
           at
           the
           Hour
           of
           Death
           ,
           takes
           away
           its
           Sting
           ,
           and
           deprives
           it
           of
           its
           Terrors
           .
        
         
           And
           with
           what
           a
           generous
           bravery
           may
           we
           expect
           our
           end
           ,
           if
           we
           have
           been
           Instrumental
           in
           Advancing
           Religion
           among
           Men
           !
           If
           we
           have
           liv'd
           to
           so
           good
           purpose
           ,
           that
           any
           one
           Vice
           has
           been
           lessen'd
           by
           our
           Endeavours
           and
           
             Zeal
             !
             That
          
           one
           Thought
           will
           refresh
           us
           more
           ,
           when
           in
           a
           Languishing
           Condition
           ,
           or
           on
           a
           Dying
           Bed
           ,
           than
           the
           Grandure
           of
           Princes
           ,
           or
           Riches
           of
           the
           World.
           
        
         
           What
           a
           Satisfaction
           must
           it
           be
           to
           a
           good
           Magistrate
           ,
           when
           about
           to
           render
           an
           Account
           of
           his
           O●●ice
           ,
           to
           the
           Great
           King
           of
           
           Heaven
           ,
           to
           consider
           that
           he
           has
           been
           Faithful
           to
           him
           that
           appointed
           him
           ,
           has
           Justly
           and
           Impartially
           Executed
           the
           Laws
           against
           all
           sorts
           of
           Wickedness
           !
           To
           a
           good
           Minister
           !
           When
           ready
           to
           appear
           before
           the
           Great
           
             Bishop
             of
             Souls
          
           ,
           that
           he
           can
           Reflect
           upon
           his
           Sincerity
           and
           Zeal
           ;
           and
           Courage
           in
           the
           discharge
           of
           his
           Duty
           !
           That
           Vice
           he
           still
           oppos'd
           !
           And
           consider'd
           neither
           Interest
           ,
           nor
           Reputation
           ,
           nor
           Safety
           ,
           when
           his
           Masters
           Service
           call'd
           for
           him
           !
           To
           a
           
             Sincere
             Penitent
          
           ,
           when
           he
           looks
           back
           upon
           his
           Life
           ,
           since
           his
           happy
           Conversion
           !
           That
           he
           made
           all
           possible
           Attonement
           ,
           for
           his
           former
           Injuries
           to
           Religion
           ,
           by
           bringing
           more
           to
           Repentance
           than
           he
           had
           formerly
           led
           astray
           !
           To
           all
           those
           who
           make
           Religion
           their
           Business
           ,
           and
           
             Reformation
             of
             Manners
          
           their
           constant
           Study
           !
           To
           remember
           how
           Active
           ,
           how
           Constant
           was
           their
           Zeal
           ,
           what
           Labours
           and
           Troubles
           they
           underwent
           ,
           what
           Slanders
           and
           Calumnies
           they
           bore
           ,
           to
           Punish
           and
           Restrain
           Wickedness
           and
           Vice
           ,
           to
           Maintain
           and
           promote
           Piety
           and
           Virtue
           !
           Such
           Thoughts
           as
           these
           will
           wonderfully
           Support
           Good
           Men
           ,
           when
           they
           have
           a
           near
           view
           of
           Eternity
           ;
           will
           Relieve
           their
           Languishing
           Spirits
           ,
           and
           Raise
           their
           Dejected
           Heads
           ,
           and
           Comfort
           their
           Departing
           Souls
           .
        
         
           But
           neither
           the
           Joys
           nor
           Sufferings
           of
           this
           present
           World
           ,
           are
           worthy
           to
           be
           compar'd
           with
           the
           Glory
           that
           shall
           hereafter
           be
           Reveal'd
           .
           There
           are
           Glories
           reserv'd
           for
           good
           Men
           ,
           beyond
           any
           thing
           we
           can
           conceive
           or
           know
           :
           And
           of
           these
           extraordinary
           degrees
           belong
           to
           those
           who
           are
           
             Zealously
             Affected
             always
             in
             good
             things
          
           :
           To
           those
           who
           with
           great
           Industry
           and
           Application
           ,
           Promote
           
             Reformation
             of
             Manners
          
           .
           For
           since
           that
           is
           a
           Service
           particularly
           pleasing
           to
           GOD
           ,
           the
           Reward
           that
           attends
           it
           ,
           shall
           be
           proportionably
           great
           ;
           And
           GOD
           will
           Honour
           above
           others
           at
           the
           Last
           Day
           ,
           those
           who
           are
           Zealous
           for
           his
           Honour
           here
           .
        
         
           
             He
             that
             Converteth
             a
             Sinner
          
           (
           saith
           St.
           
             James
             )
             from
             the
             errour
             of
             his
             way
             ,
             shall
             save
             a
             Soul
             from
             Death
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             shall
             hide
             a
             multitude
             of
             Sins
             .
          
           Now
           if
           
             he
             who
             gives
             a
             Cup
             of
             Cold
             Water
             to
             a
             Disciple
             ,
             shall
             not
             lose
             his
             Reward
             ,
          
           what
           shall
           his
           Happiness
           and
           Glory
           be
           ,
           who
           rescues
           Souls
           from
           endless
           Destruction
           ,
           secures
           them
           from
           Misery
           and
           Unquenchable
           Fire
           ,
           and
           so
           effectually
           
             covers
             Sins
          
           ,
           that
           Infinite
           Justice
           shall
           never
           find
           them
           out
           ?
           
           And
           
             they
             who
             turn
             many
             to
             Righteousness
             ,
          
           
           (
           as
           the
           Prophet
           tells
           us
           )
           whether
           it
           be
           by
           Advice
           or
           Correctition
           ,
           or
           Example
           ,
           
             shall
             Shine
             as
             the
             Stars
             for
             ever
             and
             ever
             ,
          
           with
           a
           peculiar
           ,
           distinguishing
           ,
           and
           Eternal
           Brightness
           .
        
         
           And
           shou'd
           not
           the
           hopes
           of
           this
           Infinite
           Reward
           ,
           inspire
           us
           with
           Holy
           Zeal
           ,
           Undaunted
           Resolution
           ,
           and
           Invincible
           Patience
           ?
           Make
           us
           despise
           both
           the
           Smiles
           and
           Frowns
           of
           Fortune
           and
           of
           Men
           ,
           the
           Uncharitable
           Censures
           of
           some
           ,
           and
           Prophane
           Scoffs
           of
           others
           ?
           Make
           us
           constant
           in
           our
           Endeavours
           against
           Vice
           ,
           as
           those
           Stars
           are
           in
           their
           Motions
           ,
           which
           we
           hope
           hereafter
           in
           Glory
           to
           Outshine
           ?
        
         
           And
           what
           a
           Joyful
           Surprize
           will
           it
           be
           ,
           to
           those
           Happy
           Souls
           ,
           who
           here
           have
           ever
           burn'd
           with
           Zeal
           and
           Love
           ,
           to
           find
           in
           the
           other
           World
           ,
           their
           Glories
           equal
           to
           their
           Wishes
           ,
           and
           infinitely
           beyond
           their
           too
           narrow
           hopes
           !
           When
           Mansions
           of
           Peace
           ,
           shall
           be
           their
           Habitations
           ,
           Angels
           their
           Friends
           ,
           and
           perfect
           Spirits
           their
           Companions
           !
           When
           Praise
           shall
           be
           their
           Employment
           ,
           and
           GOD
           himself
           their
           
             exceeding
             Great
             Reward
          
           !
        
         
           And
           if
           Souls
           in
           the
           other
           World
           retain
           any
           knowledge
           ,
           of
           those
           who
           here
           have
           been
           their
           most
           Intimate
           Friends
           (
           as
           I
           hope
           and
           believe
           they
           shall
           )
           then
           what
           Transports
           of
           Love
           and
           Divine
           Friendship
           ,
           what
           Endearments
           and
           Gratulations
           ,
           shall
           be
           among
           those
           happy
           Spirits
           ,
           who
           have
           in
           this
           World
           been
           Fellow-Labourers
           in
           Advancing
           Reformation
           ,
           and
           Fellow-Sufferers
           for
           their
           Zeal
           against
           Vice
           ?
        
         
           How
           will
           it
           add
           to
           their
           Raptures
           (
           tho
           almost
           Infinite
           before
           )
           to
           relate
           over
           to
           one
           another
           ,
           the
           Difficulties
           they
           here
           Surmounted
           ,
           with
           all
           the
           Troubles
           and
           Calamities
           they
           suffer'd
           !
           How
           sometimes
           they
           were
           Encourag'd
           and
           Supported
           ,
           and
           the
           good
           Improvement
           they
           made
           of
           it
           !
           How
           again
           they
           were
           oppos'd
           in
           their
           good
           Purposes
           and
           Designs
           ,
           yet
           were
           not
           diverted
           from
           them
           by
           any
           Opposition
           !
           How
           they
           were
           often
           expos'd
           to
           Publick
           Disgrace
           and
           Scorn
           ,
           their
           best
           Actions
           being
           foully
           mis-represented
           ,
           yet
           GOD
           supported
           them
           under
           these
           Tryals
           ,
           inspir'd
           them
           with
           a
           Generous
           Contempt
           of
           all
           Unjust
           Reflections
           ,
           rais'd
           them
           up
           unexpected
           Friends
           ,
           and
           bless'd
           their
           poor
           Labours
           ,
           
           with
           surprizing
           Successes
           !
           How
           they
           were
           exhorted
           by
           the
           Ministers
           of
           Religion
           chearfully
           to
           go
           on
           in
           their
           Masters
           ,
           Service
           ,
           and
           to
           depend
           on
           his
           Word
           ,
           for
           a
           Glorious
           Reward
           ,
           they
           believ'd
           and
           they
           obey'd
           ;
           they
           recruited
           their
           Lamps
           with
           fresh
           Oyl
           ,
           and
           their
           Zeal
           continu'd
           Flaming
           ,
           Bright
           ,
           and
           Strong
           to
           the
           last
           ,
           so
           that
           nothing
           cou'd
           obscure
           or
           weaken
           ,
           or
           even
           resist
           it
           !
           But
           that
           now
           at
           last
           ,
           they
           find
           all
           the
           Promises
           of
           GOD
           Graciously
           fulfill'd
           ,
           and
           therefore
           have
           cause
           to
           Praise
           him
           for
           all
           their
           Sufferings
           ,
           
             since
             their
             light
             Afflictions
             ,
             which
             were
             but
             for
             a
             Moment
             ,
             have
             wrought
             for
             them
             ,
             a
             far
             more
             Exceeding
             and
             Eternal
             Weight
             of
             Glory
          
           !
        
         
           Methinks
           like
           Moses
           from
           Pisgah
           ,
           we
           may
           now
           take
           a
           Prospect
           of
           the
           Land
           of
           Bliss
           ,
           and
           see
           those
           who
           here
           us'd
           to
           meet
           together
           ,
           for
           Religion
           and
           Devotion
           ,
           for
           Suppressing
           Vice
           and
           Promoting
           Reformation
           ,
           welcoming
           one
           another
           into
           the
           Heavenly
           Regions
           ,
           with
           Joy
           in
           their
           Looks
           ,
           and
           Glory
           about
           their
           Heads
           ,
           and
           nothing
           to
           be
           heard
           but
           Anthems
           and
           Hallelujahs
           !
        
         
           Thus
           my
           Brethren
           ,
           I
           trust
           in
           GOD
           it
           will
           be
           with
           you
           another
           day
           ,
           but
           seeing
           we
           are
           as
           yet
           in
           the
           Wilderness
           ,
           Let
           us
           have
           our
           Faces
           always
           directed
           towards
           the
           Promis'd
           Land
           :
           Our
           Journey
           can't
           be
           long
           ;
           let
           us
           not
           be
           Frighten'd
           at
           the
           Dangers
           or
           Difficulties
           of
           the
           way
           ,
           but
           go
           on
           Couragiously
           in
           it
           ,
           and
           Endless
           Peace
           and
           Joy
           ,
           shall
           soon
           succeed
           our
           Toil
           and
           Labour
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
           ERRATA
           .
        
         
           Page
           4
           line
           30.
           read
           are
           of
           greater
           necessity
           .
           p.
           12.
           l.
           27.
           r.
           Warm
           in
           their
           Advices
           .
           p.
           16.
           last
           
             l.
             r.
          
           the
           more
           they
           will.
           p.
           22.
           l.
           27.
           r.
           Zealous
           Magistrates
           .
           p.
           25.
           l.
           24.
           r.
           indispensable
           .
           p.
           39.
           l.
           25.
           r.
           of
           their
           Blood
           ,
           rather
           than
           their
           Money
           .
           p.
           43.
           l.
           24.
           r.
           escap'd
           p.
           59.
           l.
           33.
           leave
           out
           —
           yet
           .
           p.
           60.
           l.
           7.
           r.
           comprehend
           .
           There
           are
           several
           Errata's
           in
           the
           Pointings
           .
        
      
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A45376-e240
           
             Ja.
             1.26.3.17
             .
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             2
             Pet.
             2.5
             .
             verse
             7.8
             .
          
           
             Exod.
             32.19
             .
          
           
             Numb
             .
             25.11
             ,
             12
             ,
             13.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             106.30
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             26.5
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             122.1
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             119.136
             .
          
           
             vers
             .
             158.
             
          
           
             1
             King.
             18.
             
          
           
             Neh.
             13.15.21
             .
          
           
             Jo.
             2.15.17
             .
          
           
             Pag.
             8.9
             .
          
           
             Page
             16.
             
          
           
             Page
             23.24
             .
          
           
             Ja.
             5.20
             .
          
           
             Dan.
             12.3
             .