A N ADDRESS T O PERSONS OFFASHION, Relating to BALLS: With a few occasional Hints concerning PLAY-HOUSES, CARD-TABLES, &c. In which is introduced The Character of LU C I N D A, A Lady of the very beft FASHION, and of moft extraordinary PIETY. rff Land of Levity is a Land of Guilt : A fericus Mind is the native Soil of every Virtue ; and the Jingle Cbara&er tbat does true Honour to Mankind. DR. YOUNG. By the Author of PIETAS OXONIENSJS. The SIXTH EDITION. Revifed, Corrected, and very much Enlarged. SHREWSBURY: Printed by J. EDDOWES; And Sold by E. and C. D'ILLY, in the Poultry, LONDON. MDCCLXXI. PREFACE. gave rife to the follow- ing attempt was my hearing a young Lady affirm, that Jhe faw no barm in going to a BALL. -After I had put together the beads of it t I Jbeived it to afewfriends> who were cf opinion it might be productive of fome good if I would publijh it j. which I the more readily confented to do t when I observed how much the cu/iom of giving Balls at private boufes has of late prevailed. A 3 It 2007962 vi PREFACE. The original dcfign of the piece be- ing only to fet the diver/ion of BALLS in its true light, I had no intention of faying any thing concerning Plays, Cards, &c . till 1 was advifed to the publication of //, when 1 thought that fome jew obfervations on thofe amufe- ments (efpecially on the former) might not be unnecejfary ; however, I chofc rather to infert them by way oj Notes, than to break the thread of what was already drawn up relating to BALLS ; which will t 1 hope* be a fufficlent apology for the length and frequency of the Notes difperfed up and down throughout the Book, I J}:all not in the following treat tfe trouble you with any tedious account of theorigineofft&Li.s t PLAYS, or any other PREFACE. vii other of thofe fajhlonable entertain- ments ; as well becauje I fee no End that would thereby be anfwered, as becaufe 1 confefs myfelf ignorant of the exatt time of their rife j however, 'with regard to Cards, one of our London Chronicles informs us, that they were invented fcarcely two cen- turies ago, for the recreation of a King of France, who was almojl, if not altogether, an Ideot. Neither is it my defign to make any mention of religious -Dance s, fuch as was that of Miriam the Prophetefs, and of the other Ifraelitifo women, af- ter the overthrow of Pharaoh and his hoft in the Red Sea, Exod. xv. 20. as alfo that of David before the Ark of the Covenant, 2 Sam. vi. 14. Jince it would be a mofl ridiculous ab- Jurdity viii PREFACE. furdity to go about to prove that thefe, and other Dances recorded in Scrip- ture, are quite of a different nature and tendency from modern BALLS, and ASSEMBLIES. In the Parable of the Prodigal Son we are tola', that his return to his kind Father was celebrated with mufick and dancing ; but can any one befo abfurd as to infer from hence tbat we have a Scripture fanftion for BALLS? no jurely ; the whole of the /lory is a Pa- rable : and as the very end of Para- bles is through the letter to convey Jonie fpiritual meaning to our fenfes y fo dancing is here mentioned as it is a ufual way of exprefling joy ; for we can no more fupptfe that there was a real Ball and entertainment given upon this cccajion> than that the cka- rafter* PREFACE. ix rasters of the Prodigal and bis Father were real : but as the whole Parable was fpiritually intended, to exprefs the return of a loft finner to God as his reconciled father in Chrifl, fo the mufick, dancing, feafting*. &c. are only introduced to carry on the figure, and to reprefent to us, by familiar illujlrations, the joy which is in hea- ven over one finner that repenteth. My hearty wifh is, that what it here offered to your perufal andferious reflection, may have the fame happy ejfeft upon many readers of it in print ', as I have reafon to hope it had in ma- nujcrtpt upon the Lady for whofe be- nejit it was chief y defigned : upon which account, I earneftly intr eat your patience to go through the whole ; or at leajl I hope you will not tofs it ajlde before x PREFACE. before you have well begun it, with declaring, that, c you never faw fuch * horrid fluff in all your days.' Truth is a mighty weapon, though wielded by a weak hand', 'wherefore fince 1 have this on my fide, I do not defpair of convincing all thofe 'who will weigh what they read with a fair unbioffed judgment. At to merit, I claim none, but that of a good infen- tion, and would not wittingly give offence, where 1 hope to render tbt greateji of all fervices : if therefore any take exception at what they meet with in the courfe of this little pam- phlet, let me beg them to fearch into their own hearts, and examine care- fully whether an unwillingnefs to part with thofe idols, the keeping of which they can no otherwife defend than by re- PREFACE. XI refufing to hearken to the 'voice of Scripture, Reafon, and Conference, may not infome meafure be the caufe of their being difpleafed at what they read. And now, heartily recommending what follows to the blejjing of God, and humbly fubmitting it to your can- dor ', I beg leave to jubfcribe myfelf Your moft obedient, and moft humble Servant, The AUTHOR. AN K'f JI&F^jAu.iinL'-jAb V - A N ADDRESS T o PERSONS OF FASHION, 6v. INTRODUCTION. it is the A g undoubted duty of every k^Mjw( Ckrijlian to do all in his power to promote the Saltation of others, yet he fhould be careful to guide his words with difcretion, and B not xiv INTRODUCTION. not to urge any thing upon thofe with whom he hopes to iucceed, without defending his caufe with weighty and forcible arguments ; kft he mould make them imagine, be- caufe he advances little or nothing on his own fide of the queftion, that confequently there is little or no- thing to be laid in fupport of it. It is upon this plan that I purpofe, with God's ailirtance, to purfue my defign of proving the abfolute ?/;/- lawfulncj] of the now fo famion:ib!e diverfion of BALLS ; and though I am fenfible that the mighty torrent of cuftom is againft me, and that I may be branded \\5th the appeil.ui n of a precife fanatic ; yet I hope to demonftiate with the cleareil evi- dence, that BALLS are entirely in- confulcnt INTRODUCTION, xv confident with the Spirit of Chrif- tianity. and that it is not pofiible to be prefent at them without in- curring great guilt. All I defire of thofe who read the following pages is, (what I have already re- queiled in the preface) that they will for a little while diveft thernfelves of all prejudice, and not blindly refolve to condemn, before they read. The arguments I (hall bring are all found- ed upon Scripture and plain Reafon ; therefore, till they can be anfwered from Scripture and plain Reafon, it is neither Laughter, Sneers, nor Ri- dicule, that can invalidate their force. Obferve here, that I addrefs my- felf chiefly to thofe who have fome good defires, and yet indulge them- B 2 felves xvi INTRODUCTION. fclves in the practice of going to BALLS, becaufe they are not con- vinced of their evil tendency $ for to prove their finfulnefs to fuch as are determined to go to them at all events, would indeed be labour in vain. SECTION SECTION I. AL L the arguments I ever remember to have heard brought in vindication of BALLS, are, Firfti That they are no where forbidden in Scripture, and confe- quently are innocent. Secondly, That many good Chrif- tians go to them. Thirdly, That provided a perfon does not make a conAant pra&ice of going to them, there can be no B 3 harm 1 8 Addrefs relating to BALLS, Cf*r. harm in them now and then by way of relaxation ; and, that by mixing ourfelves fometimes with the diver- fions of the World, we return with greater relifh to retirement and reli- gious Duties, Whether BALLS are particularly forbidden in any place of Scripture, I will not take upon me to deter- mine : let it fuffice for my prefent purpofe that they are forbidden by the whole voice of Revelation, maf- much as every thing is flridtly for- bidden that may diibrder our Souls ; and be deftrucYive of that meek, humble, contrite Spirit, which con- flitutes the real Chriftian j and that BALLS do tend entirely to prevent the attainment of fuch a temper, and cannot but be very pernicious to our Addrefs relating to B A L LS, &c. 1 9 our Souls, will be fully proved hereafter. There are many things not particularly forbidden in Scrip- ture, which yet every one muft al- low to be very great and heinous Sins ; and were we to do what we pleale, from the notion that what we do is no where particularly forbidden in Scripture, what great extravagancies would fuch a fancy lead us into ? We are no where throughout the whole Bible commanded not to fet an houfe on fire, yet no-body can he fo weak as to imagine it is no fin wilfully to commit fuch an action ; and that, becaufe the whole tenor of Scripture forbids us to injure our neighbour. Befides, had our Sa- viour and his Apoftles given a parti- cular prohibition againft all the fooleries that the depravity of fallen man 20 Addrefi relating '* B/. Mr, &JV. man hath invented," mi^ 't we not fay with Saint John, that tven tie i;crld itjelf could not contain th^ buhi that fl.vuld be written (a] ? But have we any reafon to think, that at the time when Cbriftianity was firtl preached, there were ai y fuch plcafures among Cbriflians . ; are to be met with in a modern Ball-room ? No, the honour o/* thefe improvements is all due to us, who have been fo long blefied with the tranfcendem light of the Gofpel ; fcarcely did the Pagan world t in thj midft of their idolatrous darknef , erer arrive at that exqjifue jn'ricvlii i in all kinds of Diverfions, Luxi and Extravagance, that is now to j met (a] John xxi. 25. Addrefi relating to BALLS, ?<:. 2 1 met with amongft thofe who are reckoned good Lbri/lians. But granting, that at the time of the planting of Chriftianity^ there really were fome luch entertainments amongft Heathens as modern BALLS j yet we cannot fuppofc that Chrifl and his dpoftks (hould think it ne- ceffary to tell their Converts, that they could not romp and ikip about like buffoons, and merry-andrews, in all the glare of expenfive drefs, amongft a croud of unconverted Heathens, either for their own di- verfion, or for that of the compa- ny, and at the fame time fanttify the Lord God in their Hearts (b\ preferve a truly Chriftian Spirit, and (*) i Pet. iii. 15. 2 2 Aadftfi r'la'ir.g to B A L L s , &c . and be friving to enter in at the ftrait Gate (c). Can any man in his fenfes make fuch a fuppo- fition ? But here, (according to dicftcoud argument) it will be laid, that the world, at lean: the part of it which we inhabit, is now become Chrif- tian t and that the company we meet at thefe nofturnal revel/ings, called BALLS, are not Heathens^ but Chrif- tians. I grant that they are fo called, and that they have the external appearance of Cbriftianity ; but are they Difciples of that blefled Jefus, 'who is meek and lowly in heart (d) ? Are (c) Luke xiii. 24. ( for the prize cf the high calling of God in Chrijl Jefis t (g}? Are they redeeming the time, becaufe the days are evil (b) ? Are they not often engaged in that foolifo talk- ing and jt'/ting, which the Apof- tle tells us are nut convenient (/)/ Does the 'word of Ch-iji dwell in tbiM richly^ teaching atid ad;n.n:;h- \ing (e^. Ca!. vi. 14.. (/) Mat. v. 7, 6. (^ Phil. iii. 14. () Ejjh. v. 16. (i) Eph. v. 4. 24 AddreJ} relating to B A L L s, &c . ing one another (/), warning the un- ruly, comforting the feeble-minded, and f up port ing the weak (/ ) ? Are they giving diligence 'to make their calling and election fare (;;;), left a promife being made them of entering into bis refl t any of them Jhould feem to come ftort of it (n) ? Is the love of God foed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Gbojl which is given unto them (o)? Have they received the Spirit of Adoption whereby they cry abba Father? and do they through that Spirit mortify tbc deeds of the body (p) ? Are their affe&ions fet on things above, and not on things on the earth (q)? Are they not conform- ed to this prcfcnt (vil world (r) ? loftead 00 ColofT \\\. 16. (/) i ThefT. v. 14. (m) 2 Pet. i. io. (n) Heb. iv. I. (o) Rom. y. 5. (/>)Rom. viii. 13, 15, (?) Coloff. iii. 2. (r) Rom. x;i. 2. Addrefs relating to B A L L s, &c. 2 5 in (lead of taking thought wherewithal they Jhall be clothed (j), are they feeking to adorn themfehes in the hid- den man cf the heart (t) ? Are they renewed In the fpirit of their minds (u)? Does Chrift dwell in their hearts by faith (w) '? Do they take tip their crofs daily, and deny themfelves, and follow him (x) ? Are they living as f rangers and pilgrims upon earth (y) ? Do they continue inftant in prayer (z) ? Have they that meek and quiet fpirit, which St. Peter af- fures us is cf fuch great price in the fight of God (a)? Are they blamelefs and harmlefsy the Sons of God, amidjl a crooked and perverfe nation , among C whom (r) Mat. vi. 31. (/) i Pet. iii. 4. (u) Eph iv. 23. (w}- Eph. ui. 17. (*) Mat. xvi 24. t(yj ^^h:^T. 13. (s) Rom. xii. 12..^' (a, i Pet. iii. 4. /"' * * 2 6 Addrefi relating to B A L L s, which Satan and his instruments have eftablifhed in this (0 Rom. ii. 28. (/) Philip, ii. 5. Addrefs relating to BALLS, &c. 3 1 this land j and which they would honour with the fpecious but falfe name of innocent diver/ions *. I have * It is indeed aftonifliing, how any per- fon, who makes the lead prctenfton? to Chrif- tianity, can poffibly be fcen at a Play-bonfe, fince our Comedies in general are not only fluffed with oaths and impieties, but with fuch obfcenities as a modeft Heathen would have blufhed at j yet even tbefe are perhaps not produ&ive of fuch evil confeqaences as many of our Tragedies, to which grave ma- trons carry their wards with the notion of their learning inftrudlive leflbns of VIRTUE and MORALITY. Now if ranting, romantic love, pride, vain -glory, revenge, luft, and cruelty, (not to mention felf-murder) be ef- teemcd Virtue and Morality, I muft confefs that moft of our celebrated Tragedies abound with thefe j and that there is no place in the world better calculated to make young people trulj 3 2 Addrefs relating to BALLS, Gfr. I have now, I hope, fully confu- ted the two firft arguments in favour of truly virtuous and moral, than the two Theatres of Covent Garden and Drury-Lane. But you obje&, that the defign of Plays is not to encourage, but to lafh the follies of Mankind, by giving us a proper abhorrence of thofe vices which are expofcd upon the Stage. What validity there is in your objection, may be difcovercd by defiring you to confider in what light you would look upon a Lady, who being anxious to have her averfton to oaths, blafphemy, and obfcenity increafed, fhould make all her fervants tome into her prefcrice, and give them a crown to curfe, fwear, aft and talk indecently, till fhe found her antipathy for thefe crimes raifcd to a proper pitch : or fearing left her fon and daughter were not enough difguftcd at the fins Addrefi relating to BALLS, &c. 3 3 of BALLS, and proved beyond all difpute, that they are forbidden by the fins of unchaftity' or drunkennefs, was to admonifli the one to frequent houfes of ill fame, and the other to fpend a few hours with a company of drunkards at a tavern. Since I h?ve touched on this fubjedr, I beg leave to relate the following fa&, which however (hocking it may appear to a Chrif- tian, I myfelf was eye-witncfs of fome years ago, when with fhame and forrow t confcfs 1 was a great frequenter of Play boufes. * It * was at the benefit of a certain Dancing- * matter : The boxes were moftly filled with * young children who I fuppofe were the * fcholars of this matter, and came to have ' their infant ideas formed by a lewd Come- * dy. Between the a6b, or after the play, I ' forget which, one of thefe children who * feemed to be about feven years old, came ' forth, and danced two publick minuets upon the ftage with her matter ; without doubt 3 4 AddrcJ\ relating to B A L L s, GV . the whole tenor of Scripture, and that none but thofe who content themfelves with the Shadow of Chiiftianity inftead of the fubftance, will ever be frequenters of them. The third argument in favour of BALLS, yet remains to be anf.ver- ed j namely, that ' provided we do c not make a confhnt practice of ' going to them, there can be no ' harm in them now and then, by ' way of relaxation j and that by ' mixing ourfelves fometimes with < the * doubt to the no fmall fathfaftion of her 'good Mama, whofe heart muft needs alfo * dance with joy, to fee her dear child fa much applauded by fo polite an afTembly ; * and that fhe had already acquired le corps degagi) and was totally freed from all mawaife bonte at fo tender an a^e.' Addrefi relating to BALLS, &c. 3 5 ' the diverfions of the world, we * return with greater reliih to retire- ment and religious duties.' To this I readily and briefly reply, that the fame reafons, why we ought not always to be prefent at them, hold good why we mould never be prefent at them ; unlefs you will roundly maintain that we CAN Jerve God and Mammon (g) ; that when we are called to give our hearts to God (b), a part of them is only meant ; and that we may fometimes indulge a trifling worldly fpirit, and fometimes be devout and heavenly-minded ; which is not at all lefs abfurd than if you were to fay, we may be fometimes drunk () Mat. vi. 24. (b) Prov. xxiii. 26. 36 Adarefs relating to BALLS, &c, and fometimes fober ; fometimes honeft and foinetimes diftioneft. Let me farther add, that it is a miferable ilgn of our being yet dead In Jin, that we can look upon fucli things in the light of relaxations ; and to be able to take delight in them now and then, argues our na- ture to be as much unrenewed, as if we were pleafed with them every night of our lives. And thofe who affert, that by mixing ourfrfoes fome- times with the dherfions cf the world t we return ivith greater relijlj to re- tirement and religiom duties ; might with as great propriety affirm that BALLS and PLAYS wtre means of grace, and highly proper to kindle a fpirit of devotion ; that a fure way to become truly religious, is to lay our Addrefi relating to B A L L s, &c. $ j our good thoughts afide, to mix ourfelves with vain, worldly com- pany, and do as they do j in (hort, to ftifle all the motions of God's Spirit, and drive him from us. Would you not think any mati a proper object for Bedlam, that mould ierioufly give you fuch advice as this, in order to make you a more zealous Chrijlian ? yet however mon- ftrous and abfurd this may feem, it is not at all more fo, than the before mentioned argument for fometimcs indulging ourfelves in the diverfions of the age, in order that we may leturn to the praftice of Religion with greater earneftnsfs and fatibfa&ion. D But 3 8 Addrefi relating to B A L L s, &c. But farther, what a deplorable ftate muft that foul be in, that is obliged to have recourfe to fuch miferable mifts ? How unfit to launch into eternity, where we are to be happy day and night in fweet communion with God, and in fing- ing praifes to the Lamb for ever and ever ; (and that without any BALLS, CARDS, &c. to relax our minds and encreafe our zeal) how unfit, I fay, muft that foul be for fuch a work as this, that had rather fpend five or fix hours at a BALL, flian in religious Meditation, Prayer, holy Difcourfe, reading the ivord of God, or any other good book ? Sure- ly the joys of heaven muft be very infipid to fuch an one, and the em- ployment Addrefi relating foB&LLS t &c. 39 ployment of faints and angels no- thing but mere drudgery *. But it is not fo with the true Chrljllan. He looks upon his Maf- ter's yoke as light and eafy (z) ; and his commandments are more dejire- able to him than Jine gold-, yea* Jweeter than honey and tbt honey - D 2 comb * Let us learn wifdom from the tender infant ; how does he brook the abfence of a kind parent ? Can all the talcs that old wives have invented, (both the anxiety he fuffers by fuch a reparation ? How then is it poflible that a dear child of God can chufe to be lulled for hours together into a total forgetfu'nefs of the happy relation he bears to the Lord Jehovah, by fuch poor, low, irrational inventions, that many good old wives would have been afliamed to have been the authors of? (i) Mat. xi. 30. 40 Addrefi relating to B A L L s , GJV. comb (), The heart of the true Chriftian is changed, and fixed upon heavenly objefts ; therefore, he is conflant and fteady in his obe- dience. His religion does not in- fluence him only by fits and ftarts ; nor can he lay it afide in order to attend the pleafures of the world, and take it up again when he has no other engagements upon his hands. If this then be the character of the true Chrijlian, what fhall I fay to thofe who have fcarcely the Ihadow of it ? Can you poflibly think that you have obtained the new heart and the new Jpirit (/), which God hath promifed to his faithful (*) Pfalm xix. 10, (/) Ezek. xxxvi. 26, 27. Addrefi relating to B A L LS, &c. 4 1 faithful people ; and that the fame nrind is in you that was atfo in Cbrift Jtfus (m), when you are pleafed with thofe very things, with which the moft profligate part of the world is pleafed ? Certainly there can be no greater proof that the fame dif- pofuions and tempers are in you that are in them, and that you are of thofe very people whom St. Paul ftiles lovers of pleafure, more than lovers of God (n). (m) Phil. ii. 5. (n) 2 Titn. Hi. 4. 03 SECT. 42 Addrffi relating to BALLS, Gff. SECTION II. THUS much for my anfwer to the third argument in fa- vour of BALLS. And now, I cannot but think that every unprcji iiced perfon will allow, that what 1 have already advanced is fuffictent to overthrow whatever has been, or can be faid in vindication of them. However, Fir ft, It is not my intention to flop here, but to proceed to mew yet farther, that the diverfion of BALLS is totally deftrudwe of every religious fentiment, iutomuch that it fhikes at the very root of Chrif- tianity. Secondly, Addrefs relating to B A L L s , &c. 4 3 Secondly, I fhall lay before you the reafons why the evil tendency, and adtual wickednefs of this kind of amufement, is neverthelefs fo little perceived, that many fouls are hurried away by it, without being fenfible of their error. Laftfy, I (hall add a word of exhortation and caution, concerning the great danger of a blind confor- mity to cuftom and example. And Firft, That the cuftom of BALLS is deftructive of every reli- gious fentiment, can any one deny who takes an impartial view of the frequenters of them, commonly called the BEST company ? By far the greater part of whom, if they live 44 Addrtfs relating to BALLS, &c, live not in any outward notorious wickednefs, yet feem perfectly in- different and lukewarm in what concerns their fouls : Their Reli- gion is a thing by the bye, a formal lifelefs piece of ceremony, which only ferves to their greater delu- fion. Now, if this be the cafe, (and would to God it were not) may we not fafely affirm, that there are more people kept from God by BALLS, and fuch like trifling amufo ments, than by mor^ palpaMe and grofs fins ? For the latter are more apt to gall the tinner's co..icience, and fend him to Chrift for eafe ; whereas the former, whilft they refift the Grace of God, and quench the drivings of his Spirit, rather Addrefi relating to BALLS, Gfc 45 rather keep confcience afleep, and by that means gnaw like a canker- worm, and as it were undermine the foul without our being fen- fible of receiving any injury from them. God forbid that I mould here be underflood as if I thought it necef- fary for all perfons to be guilty of notorious fins, in order to make them fenfible of their want of a Saviour's merits ; for this is fo far from being my meaning, that I would willingly convince you of the great danger of looking upon any fin as little, and (hew you how highly difpleafing every thing muft needs be in the fight of an all-pure God that has even the leaft ten- dency to evil. ' But 46 Addrcfi. relating to B A L L s, &c. But whether all perfons choofe to look upcn the uivti lions of BALLS as wicked ur not j yet we have the authority of an Apoftlf. to fay, that jhe that livetb in pleafure^ is dead 'while JLe li^th (0). She may indeed be in perfect health and fpirSts j and he greatly admirtd for her gaiety and vivacity, whilft her poor foul is languilhing and dying within her j fo that whilft (he is alive to the pleafurcs of the world, (he is really dead to the things of God. Stella and Jucundus fay, they fel- dotn dance but at the affizes, and it is very hard people may not di- vert themfelves a little upon thefe public k () i Tim. v. 6. Addrefs relating to B A L L s, &c, 47 publick occafions : But let me tell Stella and Jucundus (if they will promife not to aff. ight me with the horrid names of Methodift and Fn- thufiaft) how they may fpend the time of the affizes, much more conformably to the word of God, and much more profitably to them- felves and others. When Stella and jutvndus hear the found of the Trumpet proclaim the entrance of the Judge, let them confider how they are pre- pared to hear the found of the laft Trumpet, when the dead jbjll be raifed incorruptible, and when this mortal ftall put on immortality (p}. When they hear the prif^ners fum- moned into court, let them rtfleft, that (/) i Cor. xv. 52, 54. 48 Addrefs relating to BALLS, Gfc. that the time approaches when we mull: all iland before the awful tribunal of Chrift, where witnefles cannot he fuborned, where all the thoughts of our hearts will be ex- po fed, and where 'Judgment 'will be laid to the Line, and Righteoufnefs to the Plummet (^). Do they hear that any of the unhappy Malcfadtors are condemn- ed to death ? Let them think, that this fentence, horrible as it is, is but from the mouth of an earthly judge, and the death to which they are configned is only temporal ; and let this confideration excite them, inftead of confuming whole nights in rioting aiid revelling at the af- femblies, (y) Ifa. xxviii. 17. Addrefs relating to BALLS, &c. 49 femblies, to fpend them in vifiting and exhorting thefe unhappy ob- jects, in fafting, weeping and pray- ing for them, if peradventure their fins may be forgiven them, and they may efcape that far more tre- mendous fentence of their heavenly judge, which {hall be pronounced againft all that know not God and obey not the Go/pel of our Lord Jejus Chriji (r). Now I would afk S fella and y- cundus whether an aflize fpent in this manner is not every way con- fiftent with the character of Chrif- tians ? and how any perfons who pretend to a delicacy of fentiment much lels to religion, can fo far E forget (r) Mat. xxv. 41. i Thtfl", i, 8. 50 Addrefs relating to BALLS, &c* forget the feelings of their fellow- creatures as to make the time of their wretchednefs a feafon of mirth, vanity and pleafure. Another weighty argument again ft BALLS is, that they prevent people from looking into themfelves, and cherirti a vain, trifling, unchriftian fpirit ; not only for the time being, but oftentimes for whole days and weeks before and after ; as any un- prejudiced perfon mud allow, that has heard what wonderful fatisfac- tion young Ladies frequently ex- prefs at the thoughts of an ap- proaching Ajfembly, and what ftu- 4ied preparations they make for their drefs upon the Ball- night : And when this is over, what ample fields for fcandal are opened horn the Addrefs relating to BALLS, &c. 5 1 the behaviour and particularities of the company ? What edifying con- verfation does the fashionable or un- fafhionable flounce of fuch a lady's negligee^ or the prepoftrous fize of her hoop afford ? And how often is the ruftic aukwardnefs or unpa- rallelled elegance of an entertain- ment difcuffed ? Perhaps fome will fay, * It is true, thefe things mujl in general be allowed to be contrary to the Spi- rit of Chrijlianity, and many may be greatly hurt by them, but I never think of a BALL before 1 go to it\ at leajl when 1 do> it is with mere indifference ; 1 give my- felf no trouble about my drefs, nor do I ever make any fatyrical remarks upon the company, therefore how- E 2 * ever 52 Addrefi r dating to BALLS, 6fc. * ever fome people may abufe tbeje ' innocent amufements, I never was 1 the ivorje jor them in all my life.' To this I anfwer j that it is a wretched mark of an unrenewed heart, to fancy that you can go to luch places without being hurt by them j as nothing can more tend to deaden Grace and to extinguish the Life of God in the Soul, than the vain converfation, and trifling behaviour of the company one ge- nerally meets with at BALLS. But if you are determined not to allow that you yourfelf are the worfe for theie things, (though you confefs that many people may be greatly hurt by them j) yet, are you not aware of the harm you do by your example, and that you are, though you Addrefs relating to B A L L s, fc, 5 3 you may not think of it, footbing others in their fins, and contributing your part to keep them in a ftate of impenitency ? Surely this will be no inconfiderable augmentation of your own guilt. ' No t you fay, ' bccaufe if I did not go to thefe ' places, others would. It is not in * my power to put a flop to Jucb pro- * ceedings* But do not you by going do all in one perfon's power to countenance and encourage them ? And, on the contrary, by abfenting yourfelf, do not you do all in one per- fon's power to difcourage and prevent them ? If every body was to argue as you do, the moft wicked and abominable cuftoms would be open- ly fupported and defended, whilft every fupporter of them would be crying out, It is not 1 that am the E 3 caufc 54 dddrejs relating to BAL L s, &c* ' caufe of thefe doings, becaufe they 1 would be the fame whether 1 con- f tributed to them or not.' Now let me afk thefe perfons, Would you go upon the high-way whilft you have a real define to prevent rob- bing ? Or would you get drunk and fwear, becaufe when you allow fuch habits to be very wicked, you have a like defire to put a flop to them ? This is juft as if you were to lay, ' Though I heartily ivi/h there were no fuch Jim as robbery > ' drunkenncfs and /wearing, yet I ' am determined to put them into ' pralice t although 1 know I am ' hereby doing all in my power to c encourage thefe abominable vices.' Examine th&cafe, and you will find it juft the fame with regard to BALLS. You Addrefs relating to B A L L s, &c > 55 You will perhaps afk, if I make no difference between robbery, drunkennefs, fwearing, and going to a BALL ? I anfwer, certainly there is a great difference ; yet Hill the reafon is the very fame why we (hould abftain from all ; (viz.) be- caule all are contrary to the fpirit of chriftianity ; and whofoever can indulge himlelf in any darling plea- fure becaufe it is not fo great a fin as robbery, drunkennefs, and fwear- ing, is fo far from evidencing a fmcerity of heart, that he treats God in a manner he himfelf would ill refent to be uied by any of his earthly friends. But you fay your temper of heart is never hurt by going to a BALL. Granting 5 6 Addrefs relating to BALLS, &c . Granting this poflible, how will you convince others of the truth of it ? Will not the gayeft bubble of va- nity in the aflembly, readily ima- gine, that the very fame lenfations pafs in your bread as do in hers; and if (he was to be told that her attendance at BALLS occafioned her to commit fin, would (he not be glad to make ufe of the fanction of your name in her own vindica- tion, and perhaps urge that (he was fure if there were any harm in theie diverfions, you would not be prefcnt at them ? I mention this, juft to fhew how much worfe ef- fects are likely to eniue, when a perfon of a religious character goes to places of this foit, than others who are of quite a different (lamp, and that even fuppofing they w< re lawful, Addrefs relating to BALLS, &c. 57 lawful, we ought by no means ta ftretch to the utmoft bounds of our liberty, left we {hould thereby caufe our brethren to offend. Let me farther afk you, who pretend to fome zeal for Religion, and yet make no fcruple of going to BALLS, PLAYS, &c. whether you really look upon yourfelf as a fieward of what you poflefs, who without hefitation can fquander away in divcrfions what would con- tribute to the fupport of fo many of our poor diftrefled fellow-crea- tures * ? How much oftener you have * How many poor families who through lofles in trade, want of employment, long ficknefs, &c. are reduced to the greateft ne- ceffity, might be annually relieved with the Aims 58 Addrefs relating to BALLS, &c. have deprived yourfelves of your natural reft to attend a BALL than to fums that are fquandcred away at the The- atres for the fupport of a company of idle drones, whofe whole bufmefs is to corrupt the public ? Perhaps Tome may think that becaufe what they fpend every year at Play-houfts is very inconfiderable, therefore the guilt of with- holding their alms from poor diftrefled houfe- keepers, and others that really fland in need of them, and contributing to the mainte- nance of fuch a fet of infamous lazy wretches as players in general are, can by no means be chargeable to them. All I tlefire of fuch is, ferioufly to confider, that places for the promotingj-of fin and wicked - nefs, are in effect as much fupported by fubfcription as thofe that are dedicated to the glory of God, and intended for the relief of the fick, needy, and defertcd j and as Addrefi relating to B A L L s, &c. 59 to watch unto prayer (s) ? How much more time you allot to adorn (s) i Pet. iv. 7. as every one who, like the poor widow in the Gofpel, adds his mite towards the car- rying on any pious defign, Jhall in no wife lofe his reward^ Mark ix. 14. and the pray- ers of thofe he has affifted (hall be heard in his behalf} (that is, provided what he gives fptings from the true principle of faith in Chnfr, and not from that of vain glory, or felf juftification,} fo in like man- ner, whoever contributes the leaft mite to- wards the encouragement of Vice and Idle- nefs, {hall, (unlefs timeiy repentance prevent it) in no wife go unpumfhed ; and has great reafon to fear left he fhould be anfwer- able for the fin* of thofe poor wretches to whofe fupport lie has been acceflary, with- out which they might have fought out art innocent and uftl'ul way of life. But 60 Addrefs relating to BALLS, &c. adorn your body, when you are to ihine in a ftage box, or to fparkle in a minuet amidft the cir- cle of wondering beholders in a Ball-room, than you do each day to adorn your loul for the general ajfembly and Church of the jirjl- born (t)? May (/) Heb. xii. 23. But I will fuppofe you one of thofe who are not neglectful of the duty of alms-giving, and therefore (to ufe your own expreflion) you think there is no harm at all in now and then taking the rational amtifcment of a good play : fo that at the year's end, be- tween what is flung away at Play houfei and other diverfions, and what you fa'fly call Charity, fuppofing you a perfon of an eafy fortune, your accounts may nearly ftand as follows. To Addrefs relating to BALLS, &c. 6 1 May I alfo demand in what ftate of mind for religious duties you F return To Mrs. Comely 's and i Almack's, ) One Mafquerade and Drefs, For the fupport of Ranelagb 1 and Vauxball) and the Mufi- / cians, Singers, Waiters, &c, f thereunto belonging, J One Ridotto and two Operas, Loft at Cards (Card-money ) included) j Paid at ten Plays for the-) encouragement of Vice and Immorality, and for the main- tenance of Aftors, Dancers, Buffoons, Mimicks, and other Stage gentry, . 550 6 6 2 10 Total year's account, 24. 1 1 o For the relief of the Sick ? and Needy, 10 10. O I fear 62 Addrefs relating to BALLS, &c. return home from BALLS ; whe- ther or no your mind is never full I fear there are but few who frequent public places, that will have any reafon to complain that I have done them injuftice, either by enhancing the fum they annually confume in diverfions, or that I have been too low in my cftimatc of what they em- ploy for the benefit of the diftrefled : I would therefore now beg them to reflect how they would like to have the above bill produced at the great Day of Accounts, when they (hall be called upon to anfwer for the talents committed to their charge ; and when every one Jhall be rewarded according to his works. Mat. xvi. 27. xxv. 25. Would they not have reafon to fear left it fhould ftrike them fpeechlefs before the judge, and left that dreadful fentence (hould be pro- nounced againft them, Depart frotn me, ye curfcd, into ever lofting fire predated for the devil and his angel ? Mat. xxv. 41. VV i.ilit thofe who not daring to countenance, either by Addrefs relating to BALLS, Gfa 63 full of the pretty things that were whifpered in your ear by your partner j whether you are never chagrined about fome punctilio of precedency, or elated on account of the extraordinary notice that was taken of you j efpecially if it was your happy lot to open the BALL, or to lead up the firft country- dance with the moft honourable perfonage in the room ? O what F 2 noble by their prefence or purfe, whatever hath the appearance of evil, but from the true mo- tive of faith war ting by love, have been laying up to themfelve* treafures in heaven, and have dedicated their abundance to feed- ing the hungry^ cloathing the naked t and vijit- ing the fick and impr'ifoned^ (hall have their ears charmed with thofe glorious words, * Come ye blejfid cf my Father^ inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation cf the world. Mat. xxv. 34.' 64 Addrefi r dating to BALLS, &c, noble matter of heart-felt joy muft this needs afford to a truly pious foul, who has experienced the waft- ing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghojl (u) I I would further defire to know, whether before you exclude the fun in order to go to fleep, you ufe your Morning or Evening Prayers ? Or whether, as it is uncertain which are moft proper, you efteem it mod prudent to ufe neither ? Laftly, let me afk you, with a ferious concern for your eternal welfare, what you can poffibly think of the flate of your fouls, who, whilft fo many Chriftians are praifing () Tit.iii, 5. Addrefs relating to BALLS, &c. 65 praifiDg the Lord for having re- fnrfhed ihem with feafonable reft, and for having fafely brought them to the beginning of a new day j vvhilll fo many Chriftians are thus haopily employed, what can you, 1 lay, think of the flate of your fouls, who, weaned with your laft night's revel, are finking into your beds with the din of the concluding country-dance in your ears, and having fpent the night in the works of darknefs, (in order to compleat the whole) muft wafte the day in fleeping ? Was I to intreat you to fpend only a few hours, without intermif- fion, in Prayer and Meditation, you would think me an bard tajk-majler> and would readily afk, What ? Are F 3 ive 66 Addrefi relating to BAL L s, &c. we to be always on our knees ? Is there no time for relaxation ? Yet, while you are engaged in the plea- fures of the brilliant afTembly, when your ufual time for Evening Prayer is come, I fear you never once lay, IVhat ? Are we to be at this work fill night ? Is there no time for Prayer and Meditation ? Believe me, your cafe is very deplorable, and fo much the more fo, as you do not fee your danger. O how happy is Satan when he can make people wear his chain and think themfelves at liberty ! Hear now the language of the true Chriftian's heart. ' O how un- happy mould I be, were 1 by the fenfclefs hurry of a BALL, the ob- fcenity Addrefi relating to B AL L s, &c. 67 fcenity of the Stage, or the folly and impertinence of a Card-Table, to be deprived of thofe fweet lea- fons I fo frequently enjoy, when I have the bleffed priviledge of fitting with humble Mary at the Matter's feet, or of leaning with the beloved when you are ab- folutely determined to run yourfelf headlong into temptation ? And fo far to'cbco/e the evil, and refufe the good, as to pafs over your flated times and exercifes of devotion on purpofe to obtain the former and rejed the latter ? Can any body fay that there is jhe leaft aggravation in calling this a folemn (a) Lord's Prayer. Addrefi relating to B A L L s, Gfc. 7 1 a folemn mockery of Almighty God ? May the Lord give you Grace to lay thefe confiderations fe- rioufly to heart ! but if you are determined not to leave off going to BALLS, I dare not affirm, but that you had better leave off faying your Prayers -, for though you honour God 'with your mouth> your heart is far from him (a) j and the prayer of the wicked is an abomination to him (b). I cannot conclude this feiflion without earneft-y defining all MO- THERS and AUNTS well to confider thefe Things, and 5n(lead of leading their Daughters and Nieces abouc to BALLS, PLAYS, CARD-TABS: ES, &c. to bring them u;.? in the nurture and (a] Mat. xv. 8. (b) Prov. xxviii. 9. 7 2 Addrefs relating to B A L L s, f <:. admonition of the Lord (c ), and fee that their relaxations are fuch as Chriftians may innocently take ; but, in general, fo little do they reflect on the guilt they hereby pull down on their own heads, that many dear children of God have been forcibly compelled to go to thefe nurferies of fin and vice by their worldly relations ; I mean, not only by fuch a are notorioufly wicked, but even by the more de- cent formalifts, who can pity care- lels finners, and rail at the degene- racy of the age, whilft their great- eft uueafincfs ib to Ice the true marks of real piejy in any of their family. SECT. (() Eph. vi. 4. Addrefs relating to BALLS, &c. 73 SECTION III. WHAT can be more full and perfuafive than thole words of St. Paul, Be ye followers of me t even as I alfo am of Chrljl (d) ? And again, Thofe things which ye have both learned, and received and heard and feen in me, do (e"). Whatfoever ye do, do all to the glory of God (y)i &c. I know it is eafy to put fmooth gloffy interpretations upon thefe and other texts of Scrip- ture, and fo, to accommodate the whole Bible to the manner in which we choofe to live, inftead of con- G forming (d) i Cor. xi. i. (e) Phil. iv. 9. (/; I Cor. x. 35. BALLS, Gfa. .iornplg ^ourfelves to the Bible, which many are bold enough to do, ffifo ivreft the Scriptures to thefr^oivn dejlruttion (g) * -, but I think (g) 2 Pet. iii. 1 6. * It is amazing how fome people (efpe- cially fuch as have a name to live and are dead) will twift and torture the Scriptures, in order to bring the meaning of texts to the ideas already formed in their minds, and to lull themfelves into a wretched fecurity, whilft by dividing their hearts between God and the world, they are buried in lukewarmnefs and blinded by formality. Thus almoft every cxpreffion in the whole book of God, that enjoins an holinefs of life beyond what fuits their tafte aud convenience, they ci.her tell you is confined to primitive times 9 or is not to be taken in a literal fenfe. And when neither of thefe falva will ferve their turn, rather than fuffer their eyes to be opened to fee the naked ft ate of their fouls, they will quarrel Addrefi relating to BALLS, &c. 75 think it would be rather more pru- dent, if they would firft make it appear that when the Holy Ghoft fays one thing he means another-, otherwife, till it can be proved that this holy Apoftle went to BALXS, and that they tend to promote the glory of God ; how can it poffibly be thought lawful for us to go to them, who are fo folemnly called upon to imitate him, and to make the glory of God the end of all our adlions. G z Now quarrel with the tranflation. So that fetting afide what is confined to primitive times, what is not to be taken in a literal fenfe, and what is not tranflated according to the fancy of men of corrupt minds ; Chriftians, now- -a-days, would be deprived of no inconfider- able part of God's word. 76 Addrefs r dating to BALLS, Gfc. Now only figure to yourfelf the cbofen veffel bt. Paul t with the Vir- gin Mary for his partner *, drefied out in fafliionablc tafte, dancing together in a modern aflembly ? Would not fuch a fight immediately deftroy * I think I ought to make an apology to the Chriftian reader for introducing this fup- pofition, as the very mention of it does not only carry with it an abfurdity, but favours of fomething fhocking ; upon which account it was wholly omitted in every edition of this book, except in the firft, which was pub- lifhed about ten years ago : yet there is no reafon why the thought of feeing an Apoftle jumping about in a Ball-room, ihould be fhocking to a Chriftian, but what fhould make it as fhocking for any Chriftian what- ever to fee himfelf there, unlefc he is deter- mined to fet at nought the above command of St. Paul, namely, Be ye follewert of tne y even as I a If o am of Cbrlfl. Addrefs relating to BALLS, &c. 77 deftroy the high ideas you enter- tain of their piety ? Your own heart muft tell you that it would. Again, were you to meet with any hiftory wherein either of thefe eminent faints were fet forth as frequenters of BALLS, and lovers of Dancing ; would you give any credit to that hiftory ? Certainly you would not ; and for this excellent reafon, be- caufe you always juftly looked upon the great Apoftle of the Gentiles^ and upon the Mother of our blefled Saviour, as extraordinary examples of piety ; and becaufe your notions of a Saint and a Dancer, are as contrary as light and darknefs. I appeal to your own confcience if this be not true ? Now to apply this. If to fee St. Paul and the blefled Virgin croiiing over or G 3 figuring 7 8 Addrefs relating to B A L L s , &c. figuring together in a country dance, would entirely deftroy the exalted opinion you have of them ; and if you would not give credit to any hiftory that (hould reprefent them to have been fond of dancing, as being utterly inconfiftent with your thoughts of their great frnc- tity ; how can you flatter yourfelf that your Religion will be of any fervicc to you, whilft you give inta fuch practices as are totally deftruc- tive of all your own fentiments of piety ? It may be objected, that you are not the Mother of our Lord, nor calUil upon to be an Apoitle. I an- fwer, that though you are neither the one nor the other j yet you are as much called upon to be a fervant and Addrefi relating to B A L L s, &c . 79 and a child of God, to be a new creature in Chrifl Jefus (&), to per f eft bolinefs in the fear of God (/), tojlrive to enter in at the ft rait gate (), and to adorn the dotfrine of God our Savi- our in all things (/), as the Virgin Mary or any of the Apoftles were j nor can you, without renouncing both Reafon and Religion, indulge yourfelf in any pradtice that appears to you totally inconliftent with the piety of any other Chriftian what- ever, and at the fame time fancy that you are abflaining from all appearance of evil, and are of the number of thofe, whofe fpirit and foul and body jhall be preferred blame- lefs unto the coming of our Lord Jefus Cbrijl (m). But () 2 Cor. v. 17. (/) 2 Cor. vii. i. (/J) Mat. vii. 13. (/) Tit. ii. jo. (w) j ThefT. v. 22, 23. 80 Addrefs relating to BALLS, &c. But methinks you are by this time ready to cry out, Why* if ' this be the cafe, we muft e'en ft- ' elude ourfehes from all fociety, ' bid adieu to chearfuhiefs and re- ' taxations, Jhut ourfehes up in e convents t and fo become churlijb * melancholy mopes, and die of the ' vapours' But no, entertain not a thought fo derogatory from the honour of Chrift and his gofpel : for Chrifti- anity does at once tend to promote chearfulnefs and to improve fociety ; and the blefled author of it, fo far from countenancing a monkim fe- clufion from our fellow -creatures, is reprefented as going abcut doing good that Addrefi relating to BALLS, &c. 8 1 (), that we who bear his name Jhouldfo walk even as he walked (G) j and St. Paul commends his be- loved Timothy, for having made a good profejjion before many witnejfes (p) : now whether they who attend BALLS, PLAYS, &<:. are thereby going about doing good 9 or making a good profejpon before many witnejfes t I apprehend needs no long time to determine j but permit me to fay, that thofe perfons are utter ftrangers to true religion, who look upon it as a melancholy fervice, as preju- dicial to true politenefs, or deftruc- tive of any focial duty whatever. Certain it is, that every real Chrif- tian muft be ferious and thoughtful, mud () As x. 38. (o) i John ii. 6. (/>) i Tim. vi. 12. 8 . . idre/s relating to B A r. L s , &c. mult often feek retirement, and be frcquc-nt in prayer, fdf-examina- tion, and ail the exercifes of godli- nefs : but then he will not look upon the time that is thus fpent as tedious, but as by far the moft happy hours of his life. And the reaibn why fo few find any real happinefs in religion is, becauie they have only juft enough to de- ceive themfelves, and to make it a burden to them ; whereas would they cordially, and without referve, give up their hearts to God, they would then experience that peace 'which pajfeth all underflanding (y), and foon be convinced that the pleafures of the world are as emp- ty and del u five, as thofe which we (?) Phil. iv. 7. Addrefe relating to B A L L s , csV. 8 3 we derive from God are true and fubftantial. Jf fuch a thing as perfect felicity be attainable in this world, muft it not confift in having all thofe paf- fions and tempers allayed, which are not only hurtful to our own peace, but to the good of fociety ? in having our natures raifed to the higheft degree of perfection they are capable of in our prefent em- bodied ftate ; in the enjoyment of fweet communion with God, as our reconciled friend and father ? in the fenie of our adoption as heirs with Chrift (r) ? and in the anticipation of thole pleajures which are At God's right hand (5), and of which the true (r) Rum.viii. 17. (s) Pfalm xvi. 12. 84 Addrefs relating to BALLS, Gfc. true believer is to be made par- taker through all the boundlefs ages of eternity ? And are thefe things likely to promote melancholy ! Is this a ftate fo much to be dreaded ! If indeed by fociety be meant thofe companies wherein God is forgotten, or what is vvorfe, where- in he is dishonoured ; I readily grant that no Chriilian will voluntarily mix himfelf with iuch, except it be with that nobleft of all views, a defiie of benefiting their fouls, and fpreading a favour of religious knowledge amongft them. Again, if by relaxations be meant BALLS, PLAYS, and other diverfions ot ihe like nature, it is certain that v>ith whatever eaijerucfb thde may be puriucd by iuch as are ftrangcrs to- more Addrefs relating to B A L L s , &c. 8 5 more exalted joys, yet they are as much incapable of fatisfying one who has received the grace of God in truth (/), as a philoibpher is in- capable of being pleafed with the toys and rattles of a baby. Nay more, fo far would thefe things be from afForcjing matter of amufement to an humble follower of the cru- cified Jefus, that it would be in- flidting a fevere punimment upon him, and muft needs ftrike a damp into his affectionate heart, to oblige him to be prefent at them ; and that with much more reafon than it would arTedl him to fee a con- demned criminal, inftead of be- ftcnving a thought upon his wretch- ed flate, or accepting the pardon H ' that (0 Col. i. 6. 8 6 Addrefi relating to B A L L s, Gf c. that was freely offered him, fpend the whole night in rattling his fet- ters for his own and the diverfion of his fellow-prifoners, not know- ing but the next morning he might be dragged to the place of execu- tion. I leave the difcerning reader to make what application of this he thinks proper, and proceed to the fourth Section, concluding the pre- fent with the words of that great genius, and divine poet, Doctor Young. ( We need not buy our ruin with * our crime, ' And give Eternity to murder ' Time/ SECT. Addrefi relating to BALLS, &c. 87 SECTION IV. CHriftianity confifts not in any form of duties, but in a temper and fpirit of growing con- formity to Jefus Chrilt. It is, as our Lord himfclf aflures us, the kingdom of God within us (), even that Kingdom which is righteoufnefi and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghoft (w). It is no external, pompous thing. It cometh not by observation, or, as the greek word fignilies, with outward Jhew t but it is an in- ward change wrought in the foul by the Spirit of God, a change whereby we who are by nature cbil- H 2 dren (u) Lukcxvii 20, 21. (w) Rom. xiv, 17. 8 8 Addrefi relating to B A L L s , &c , dren of 'wrath (x) do become the children of grace, and are made partakers of the divine nature (>). A change whereby ice become one with Chri/l, and Chrift with us, whereby Chri/l doth dwell in us, ati.i ive in him, according to the prayer which he himfclf offered up to the Father for all that mould believe in his name, with that faith which is the gift and operation of God (z). Jt is fuch an union with Chrift our head, as there is between a vine and the branches (a) - t between the hu/band and wife (b); between food and the eater (*) ; between a build- ing (*) Eph. ii, 3. (^) 2 Pet. i. 4. Church Catechifm. (z) John xvii. 2f 23. Col. ii. 12. (a) John xv. 4, 5. (b) Eph. v. 23, &c. (*) Johnvi. 5153, &c. Addrefs relating to BALLS, &c. 89 ing and every Jlone of that building (c) j between a body and every mem- ber of that body (d). Jn ihort, it confiflts in having Cbrift formed in us, and living in us (e) : or, as the fame Apoftle expreffes it in another place, it is Cbrift in us the hope of (/) This great change is further re- prefented to us in Scripture under the ftrong images of a new creation (g-), of a dead man being raifed to life (), of a man being awakened Qut of a deep Jleep (i). It is alfo fet forth under the figure of being H 3 brought (c) Eph. ii. 19 22. 1 Pet. ii. 4, 5. (d) tph. iv. 1 6. v. 30. (r) GaL iv. fg. ii. 20. (/) Col. i. 27. (g) 2 Cor. v. 17. Gal. vi. 15. (h) Eph. ii. i. i Pet. iv. 6. (i) Eph. v. 14. 90 Addrefs relating to B A L L s, &c. brought out of darknefs into a mar- vellous light (k) ; and being tran- jlated into that fpiritual kingdom which Chrift cre whereas, in England, imny who make no fcruple of being prefent at thefe entertainments on a week-day, would yet look upon any body as monftroufly wicked, that (hould endeavour to perfuade them to go to an Horfe-race, a Ply. Addrefs relating to BALLS, &c. 1 1 1 Play, a Ball, or a Card-table^ on a Sunday* In like manner, fome centuries ago, had one Chriftian propofed to another to take him to. caper all night at a BALL, he would either have thought him mad, or, that in (lead of renouncing all tie pomps and vanities of this wicked world (d) t he intended to renounce his Chriftianity* Thus we fee that cuftom is well called a fecond nature. Cuftom has the mighty power of confounding right and wrong, and \a the eyes of a deluded world can turn virtues into vices, and vices into virtues. K 2 Cuflom (d) Baptifmal Vow. 1 1 2 Addrefs relating to BALLS, Gfc, Cuftom has tfansformed that hea- venly virtue of burnt V//y, which the Son of God was praftiiing all the while he was on earth, into mean- ne fe f JP* rtf > an< 3 has constituted him alone a man of honour t who pays his gaming-debts, and fcorns to forgive an injury. Cuftom cf- teems unchaftity to be little or no fault in a man, yet cuftom efteems it fo heinoufly criminal in a wo- man, that none of her own fex (except fuch as ftand in the fame predicament) will ever aflbciate with her ; no, not even though (he give the mod evident proofs of a fincere repentance. Whereas if (he was as full of pride, envy, ill-humour and cenforioufnefs as flie could hold, and had every other diabo- lical temper concentred in her, yet if Addrefs relating to B A L L s, &c. if (he was free from the fin of incontinence, cuftom would never- thelefs fuffer her to pafs for a 'woman of jlritt virtue. Thefe are a few instances of the power of cuftom in our Chriftian land. And yet how few do we find, who do not willingly bow down to this bewitching idol ? Alas 1 few indeed. Shall we then tamely follow every blind guide that afliimes the name of a Chriftian ? Or, (hall we not rather make the unerring word of God our rule of life ? Surely we cannot heiitate in the choice. Indeed I think it may with great truth be affirmed, that the formal nominal Chrijlian is an adverfary we K 3 have 1 1 4 Addrefs relating to B A L L s, &c. have more need to guard againft, than either the profejfed Atkeift, or the mod abandoned Profligate ; be- caufe we fufpedt no harm from the former, but are ready to fly from the latter as from a toad or a fer- pent. // is not an open enemy * faith the PfaJmift, that hath done me this diJJxnour, for then I could have borne it j neither was if mine ffdverfoiy, for then, per adventure, 1 would have hid myfelf from him ; but it was thou> my companion, my guide, and my own familiar friend (e). Satan is never fo likely to fucceed with thofe whom he cannot prevail upon to run into any grofs fins, as when he transforms himfelf into an angel of light (J ) j under which malic he (/) Pfalm Iv. 12. (/) 2 Cor. xi. 14. Addrefs relating to B A L L s, &c. 115 he has always many ufeful agents in the world, by following whofe examples there is too much reafon to fear, that numbers of fouls have been ruined to all eternity, who never fo much as fufpected their danger, till it was too late to re- trieve their fatal error. But how mould it be otherwife, whilft in the depraved age we live, multitudes are looked upon as good Chriftians, whom our holy ancef- tors would not have admitted to their communion ? Yet thefe mo- dern faints give into the follies and vanities of the world without the leaft hefitation j and thereby be- come ftumbling-blocks to many in- experienced fouls, who, feeing fuch people idolized for their Religion, think 1 1 6 Addreft relating to B AL L s, fr . think they may be very fafe under the fanclion of fuch approved ex- amples j but furely little need be fiid to demonftrate the abfurdity of fuch a concluiion -, fince, as I ob- ferved before, there can be no other rule of practice but the infallible word of God j therefore, if we fee any perfon chime in with fuch cuf- toms as are totally oppofite to the Divine precepts therein contained, whatever that perfon may be in the opinion of the world, and of his own deceitful heart, he is by no means a proper model for a Chrif- tian to copy after, who is called upon by all his hopes of Heaven to walk in the paths of that Sa- viour, who left us an example that we fiould follow bis Jicps (g] : fo that i Pet. ii, 21. Addrefs relating to B A L L s, &c. 1 1 7 that the great pattern propofed to our imitation, is that of Chrift himfelf j and it is our conftant and undoubted duty to imitate him to the very utmoft of the abilities which God gives us, and in the fame degree that the primitive Chriftians did; for the fame JESUS died for us, that died for them, and if we expedt the fame reward, he expects the fame obedience ; yet fo different are the lives of the generality of Chriftians now, from what they were in the firft ages of the Church, that the fpirit of the Gofpel is nearly extinct in mod of its profefTors, who feem to look upon the imitation of Chrift as a chimerical thing, and to fuppofe that the holinefs of the firft Chrif- tians 1 1 8 Addrefs relating to BALLS, &c. tians is rather to be admired than attained by us. Were St. Ignatius, St. Polycarp, St. Cyprian, or any other of thofe pious Fathers to rife from the dead, and take a view of our metropolis, and after having fpent fome time in it, to hear (by chance) that it was a Chriftian city, that the inha- bitants of it were ingrafted into the Church by Baptifm, and profefled themfelves to be difciples of the blefled JESUS ; judge, if you can, how great would be the furprife of any of thefe holy men at fuch an account. 1 am apt to think they would with great difficulty be made to credit it > a plain proof how far the power of cuftom and example may be prevalent to caft a blind- nefs Addrefs relating to B A L L s, & c. 1 1 9 nefs over fuch as profcfs and call tbemfefoes Chrijliam j a blindnefs ten thoufand times more dreadful than Egyptian darknefs, inafmuch as it is more deplorable to have a veil drawn over the eyes of our fouls than over the eyes of our bodies. But you objeft, that ' all this ' ftriclnefs and continual holy walk- * ing with God, may be the means ' of prejudicing others againft re- ' ligion, by making them look up- c on it as an irkfome employment, ' and inclining them to think that c there is no fuch thing as living * according to what is here Liicl * down ; whereas, by now and then * conforming a little to the world, ' we make Chriftianity appear ami- ' able in the eyes of others, and thereby 12O Addrefs relating to BALLS, &c. ' thereby take the heft method of recommending it to thole about us.' I hope I have already faid fuffi- cient, in the third Section, to (hew the unreafonablenefs of that objec- tion, fo often brought againft true religion by thofe, who, refting in externals, are ignorant of it's life, power and comfort, (viz.) that it is a melancholy or irkfome fervice ; and that I have fully proved it to be (what our Church affirms) per- feft freedom (/>), and the only fource of that holy, fpiritual, folid joy, with which a Jl ranger inter - meddletb not (/), and which the ia, Id (b] Second Collect for Morning Prayer. (i) Prov. xiv, 10. Addreft relating to BALLS, &c. 121 iv or Id can neither give nor take away. I proceed now to that for- midable argument in favour of dif- fipation, that by too much Jlritt- * nefs we caft a prejudice upon reli- * gion, whereas by now and then ' conforming a little to the world, ' we make it appear amiable in the 4 eyes of others, and take the bed ' method of recommending it to * thofe about us.' I would charitably hope, that they who make this objection, real- ly make it through ignorance, and that they believe they have the word of God on their fide j for if it be contrary to this, it mud be allowed invalid. Now, do you find any fuch texts as thefe throughout the whole Bible : ' Be L c A LITLE 1 2 2 Addrefi relating to B A L LS, ' A LITLE conformed to this tzs * Ttf& &#/ J0# fo WC/ TOO ' LIKE your Father 'which is in * Heaven' Shocked as you would be even at the fuppofuion of this being the advice of Chrift and his ApoQles, yet it is the very lan- guage of thofe who ftand up for a moderate Jkare of i worldlinefs y left a continual fpiritual walk, and too great a conformity to the image of Chrift, fhould raife a prejudice againft religion in the minds of others. But let us illuftratc this by a familiar inftance or two, in order to put the cafe in a true and clear light. Suppofe Addrcfs relating to B A L L s, &c. 123 Suppofe you were willing to dif- fuade a perfon from the fins of lying or fwearing, how would you go about it ? Would you think it necelfary to lie and fwear now and then A LITTLE yourfelf, for fear your total abftinence from thefe fins, and your hearty proteftation againft them mould prejudice the perfon againft that holinefs which the Gofpel abfolutely requires, and without which no man flail fee the Lord ? Again : by way of deftroy- ing in others thofe hateful tempers of the fallen nature, anger, re- venge, envy, malice, and pride, would you aflert that it was advife- able for you to be a little angry, a little revengeful, a little envious, a little malicious, and to mew what L 2 the J24 Addrefir slating to BALLS, Gfc. the world calls a decent pride t Now, if you think this a very ftrange way of curing thefe fins in others, you plainly fee the force of your own argument for an occa- iional compliance with and con- formity to the ways of the world, in order to make others heavenly minded, and for fear of prejudicing them againft religion, by what you call an Gver-Jlriftnefs j and be af- fured, that whatever Converts you make to fuch a religion as this, and however they may approve of your divided walk between God and Mammon^ they arc not Converts to the vital power of evangelical holinefs, and approve not of your life and convcrfation, for what they fee in yon conformable to the Gof- pel of Chrift, but for what they fee Addrefi relating to B A L LS,~ &e. 125 fee in you agreeable to the tempers and difpofitions of their own hearts. But, as that religion which pleafes the world, will never pleafe God ; confequently, that religion which pleafes God, will never pleafe the world (). True it is, that all unneceflary iingularity ftiould be avoided 5 (for the Chriftian's is a rational, as well as an holy character) and every appearance of enthufiafm or fuper- ilition, fhould be watchfully guard- ed againft 5 but then, do not let us call things by wrong names, but let us remember that there is a neceflhry, as well as an unneceffary fingularity j for if, of the many that L 3 are (k) John xv. 19. 1 2 6 Addrefs relating to B A L L s, &c. are called, there are but few chofen, it is as certain that thefe few, who are emphatically Ailed the light of the 'world (/), mutt be diftinguiflied from the many, as that light itfelf is diftinguimable from darknefs. A city that is fet on an hill (faith our Saviour) cannot be hid, neither do men light a candle t and put it under a bufiel, but on a candlejlick, and it givetb light unto all that are in the houfe. Let your light Jo foine before men, that they may fee your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (M}. Let me then conclude this Sec- tion, with an addrefs to the reader, from the ingenious and pious Mr. Mofes, (T) Mat. v. 14. () Mat. v. 14 16, Addrefs relating to B AL L s, &c. 1 27 JM0/& Browne's EfTay on the Uni- verfe. O tear the films from thy dif- ' temper'd eyes, c Dare to be manly, virtuous, c good and wife. Diftruft the joys in vain allure- ' ments plac'd, c Falfe is the relifh of the fev'rifh ' tafte. ' Some to their idol gold an ho- mage pay, c Some dream their foft luxurious ' hours away; * Th' adjufted drefs, the compli- ment, the ball, [ The play, the trifling viflt waftes them all/ SECT. Addrefs relating to B A L L s, &c . SECTION VI. HAVING (hewn that the reafon v hy many people are apt to fancy they can go to BALLS without committing any fin, is en- tirely owing to the force of cuftom and example \ I would now beg leave to offer a ferious admonition to all fuch as have hitherto been frequenters of them, and are any ways concerned about their ever- lafting welfare. Now, fince the power of cuftom and example is fo great, and fo much depends upon our conforming or not conforming to it j let me intreat Addrefs relating to BALLS, &c. 1 29 intreat you, in the words of the beloved difciple, not to believe every fpirit, but to try the fpirits whether they are of God (), before you fuffer yourfelf to be led by them : Remember that Chrift himfelf hath told us, that not every one that faith Lord) Lord, /hall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of his Father which is in heaven (o) ; and whatever a fleepy confcience may perfuade any man to think of himfelf, becaufe he fees many in his own opinion worfe, yet St. Paul tells us, not he that commendeth himfelf is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth (/>) ; and our Saviour fays in another place (n) i John iv. r. (0} Mat. vii. 21. (/>) 2 Cor. x. 1 8. 130 Addrefi relating to BALLS, GJV. place, that itbicb is highly ejlecmed amongst men, is abomination in the Jight of God (q). Now, the word of truth aflures us, that to be carnally minded is death (r), that the friendjhip of the world is enmity with Gcd (s) } that ive mujl neither love the izo Id, nor the things that are in the world; and that if any man love the world, the love of the father is not in him (/) : that the end of thofe who mind earthly things is deft ruft ion (u] : that if any man have not the fpirit of Chrift be is none of his (iv) : that as many as are led by the Spirit of God, (?) Luke xvi. 15. (r) Rom. viii. 6. (j) James iv. 4. (/) I John ii. 15. () Philip, iii. 19. (/) Rom. vii. 9. Addrefs relating to 3 A L L s, GV. 1 3 i God> they are the Sons of God (x} : that the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, long fuffering, gent lenefs, goodnefs, faith, meeknefs % temper ance^ (y) : that unlcfs Chriji be in us, we are reprobates (z) : that whatever ive do in word or in deed, we mujl do all in the name of tie Lord JFSUS, giving thanks to God and the Father by him (a} : that we mujl be holy in all manner of converfation (b) : and JJ:all be called upon to give an account of every idle 'word at the day of judgment (c) : that we mufl in any wife rebuke our neighbour, and not fufer fin upon him (d] : that our fpeech mujl be always with grace (e) t and (x] Rom. viii. 14. (y] Gal. v. 22. (z) 2 Cor. xiii. 5. (a] ColoiT iii. 17. (b) i Pet. i. 15. (c] Mat. xii. 36. (d) Lev. xix. 17. (e) CoiofT. iv. 6. 1 3 2 Addrtfs relating to BALLS, &c. and our communication to the ufe of edifying^ fit to minijier grace unto the hearers ( / ) : that our converfa- tion wujl be in heaven (g), and Juch as becometh the Gofpel of Chrift (b). As thefe paflages are only a fmall fpecimen of the conflant language of our Saviour and bis Apoftlcs, what pretenfions can they have to the name of Chriftians, in whom fcarcely any of the before-men- tioned marks are to be found j in- fomuch that they are as totally ig- norant of the life and power of Religion, as a blind man is of co- lours ; and know no more of a change of heart, than they do of the (/) Ephef. iv. 29. (g] Philip, iii. 20. (h) Philip, i. 27. Addrefs relating toBALLS,&c, 133 the change of earth for heaven, or of their natural for a fplritual body? yet, fome-how or other, thefe unhappy feif-deceivers contrive to keep confcience quiet by fome for- mal external duties, and by flatter- ing themfelves that as they have never been guilty of any grofs, enormous fins, they are as fure of heaven as if they were there al- ready ; little thinking how much iniquity lies lurking in their hearts, and that the holy law of God con- demns all thofe who have not fe- cured an intereft in the Redeemer, for the leaft finful thought or in- dulgence, as well as for the molt notorious acts of wickednefs; the word of God being, as faith St. Paul, a difccrner of the thoughts and M intents j 3 4 Addrefs relating to B A L L s, fr. intents of the heart (/), and requiring truth in the inward parts (k). But though the Apoftle tells them fo plainly that to be carnally-minded is death (/) j that the jriendfiip of the world is enmity with God (m) ; and that if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him (ii] ; yet they read thefe alarming texts with as much unconcern as if they had nothing to do with them , whilft the fame love of this world, the fame attachment to its cufloms, follies, and vanities, influence them as much (if not more) than they influence a Jew or an Heathen. How wide then are thefe difpofi- tions (/) Heb. iv. 12. (J) Pfalmli. 6. (/) Rom. viii. 6. (m) James iv. 4. () i John ii. 15. Addrefs relating to BALLS, &c. 135 tions from that deadnefs to the world, and that humble, child-like temper, without which, our Lord hath declared, that, we cannot enter Into the kingdom of Heaven (0) ? Again : though we are fo pofi- tively told in Scripture, that unlefs Jc/us Chrijl be in us ), and that if any man baiv not the Spirit of Cbrijl % he is none of his (q) j yet, far from having this Spirit of Chrifl, or defiring to have it, there are many who are quite enraged againft them to whom it has pleafed the Lord to give his Spirit j and fancy that they do God fervice, when they exclaim againft M 2 them (0} Mat. xviii. 3. (/>) 2 Cor. xiii. 5. (q) Rom. viii. 9. 136 Addrefi relating to BALLS, fc. them as enthufiafts, fools, and madmen : hereby plainly proving themfelves to be none of Chrijt's, but to be of thofe natural men, who, as St. Paul declares, cannot re- ceive the things of the Spirit of God, becaufe they are fooli/hnefs unto them (r) ; and therefore (as the author of the book of Wifdom tells us) account the life of the truly religious man to be mttdnefs (*). Moreover, when we are fo ftridt- ly enjoined to exhort one another daily (t) ; to be fjoly in all manner of conversation (it) i and to let our communication be to the ufe of edify- ing, fit to mini/ler grace unto the bcaren (r) i Cor. ii. 14. (0 Wifd. v. 4. (0 Heb, iii. 13, (u) i Pet. i. 15. Addrefi relating to BALLS, &c. 137 hearers (w) ; is it not amazing that multitudes of fouls mould be fo infatuated as to fancy themfelves to be in a fife ftate, whilft they live in a total neglect of thefe exprefs commands, and can fit and rack their inventions to rake up all the nonfenfical chat of the town, and had rather talk for hours together upon the moft trifling fubjecls, than for a moment upon the one thing needful (x) j infomuch that religions coniierfaticn, which is fo effential a part of our duty, and the delight of every true believer, is almoft the only kind of difcourfe that is ex- cluded, not only in public compa- nies, but even amongft intimate friends in their more retired hours. M 3 It (w) Eph. iv. 29. (*) Luke x. 42. J 3 8 Addrcfe relating to BALLS, V, It is true, we are commanded to be wije as ferpents as well as barmlefs as doves (y) j and we are cautioned not to cajl our pearls before fwine, nor to give that which is holy to dogs (z) j but then is it not very uncharitable to rank any amongft dogs and fwine, before we can tell whether they will hearken to us or not ? I am not for ftunning people with religious difcourfe, where we perceive an utter aver- fion to it ; neither am I for cruelly reglecling the opportunities of being ufeful to their immortal fouls, when fiich opportunities offer ; efpecially as there are not very many com- panies into which a Chriltian can enter, (y} Maf. x. 1 6. (z) Mat. vii. 6. Addrefs relating to B A L LS , &c. 139 enter, where, if they are not, bene- fited by his converfation, he has not caufe to fear being hurt by theirs. I know there are fome who will never open their lips about Religion in their converfation with others, becaufe truly they are afraid of difgufting them, and think that if they fet a good example, that is fufficient > but, though 1 allow that example in general goes farther than precept, yet both being equally com- manded in the word of God, the observance of the one will be no plea for the omiffion of the other ; and indeed, that man can hardly be faid to practice the duties of Chriftianity himfelf, who lives in the negledt of fo material a branch of it as that of brotherly admonition muft be allowed to be, as well for pri- vate i j.0 AJdrefs relating to BALLS, &c. vate ChrHlians, as Minifters. It wonld be a very uncommon way of teaching mufick, was a matter of that fcience only to play himlelf, without giving any inllruclions to his fcholars. Was the whole of what pafles at moft of our modern vifits to be taken down in writing, and after- wards fent to the prefs, under the title of * An Evenings Converfation amongst a company rf projejjed Chrif- tians t ivbo are called upon to let their communication be to the ufe of edijying, fit to mlnljler grace unto the hearers : I leave you to judge what kind of a mixture it would be. Yet it is entirely for want of the excellency of the knowledge of Chrift Addrefs relating to BA L L s, &c. 1 4 1 Jefus our Lord (a), and of that in- exhauftible fund for converfation with which his dying love furnilhes every real Chriftian, that (when the kind Card-Table no longer affords re- lief ) fo many are taken up in hearing and relating the follies and miferies of every neighbouring family, and the dull tirefome account of every trifling occurrence fince they met laft j whilft all the glorious truths of Redemption are as much kept out of fight as if they were the lies of mercenary Priefts, or the difgrace of human nature *. Now (a) Pnil. iii. 8. * See an excellent Difcourfe by the Rev. Mr. Venn^ intituled, The Variance between Real and Nominal Chjiftians confidered, and the 142 Addrcfi relating to B A L L s , &c . Now can there be a more difmal fign that there is not a fpark of Religion in fuch hearts ? For, where the treafure is, there ivill the heart be alfo (b} j and out of the abun- dance of the heart the month fpcnk- cth (c). The Glutton's delight is to talk of eating j the Drunkard's of drinking j the Sportfman's of his horfes and dogs ; the moft agree- able topic to a fine Lady is drefs and diverfions ; and the Chriftian is never fo happy, as when dif- courfmg about the things of God and his foul. This is an infallible touch- the Caufe of it explained. Printed for J. Town/end, at the Corner of lybite-Fryan in Fleet -Street. (b) Mat. ?i. 21. (c] Mat. xii. 34.' Addrefs relating to BALLS, &c. \ 43 touch-ftone whereby we may try ourfelves ; therefore, wo unto thofe whofe hearts condemn them in this refpedt. Neverthelefs, fo little true Reli- gion is there amongil many formal Church-going people, that I wi(h it were an exaggeration to fay, that they have not only a perfect loath- ing to all holy difcourfe, bu-t would even look with aftonifliment upon any perfon, and either think his 'head turned, or that he was guilty of a breach of polite behaviour, fliould he dare in their prefence to mention the exceeding great love of our Mafter, and ^ only Saviour Jefits Chrijl in dyi?ig Jor our fins (d ), or even (d) Communion Service. 144 Addreft relating to B A L L s, &c. even to introduce his facred Name, except in witty fayings or profane exclamations. Thefe are diftinguiming marks whereby the nominal profefibr * may be often difcerned ; let us now lee how thefe real enemies and utter Grangers * See/? then one that is wife in bis own conceit^ faith Soiomin ? there is more hype cf a foil than of him ; fo of all perfons what- ever, the moral, felf- righteous Pharifees are the moft unwilling to receive the Gofpel. The foundation of our reconciliation wi:h God.muft be laid in a deep heart-felt humi- liation, arifing from a thorough frnfe of our original and adlual guilt : til! this be the cafe, it is impofiible ve can have any true longings after the bleflings of Redemption^ for they that are -uchote^ (that is, they who think theniftlves fo) need not a phyfuian, bvt tbofe that are fick, a; our Saviour h:mfc.f af- fures us. Mat. ix. 12. Addrefs relating to B A L L s, &c, 145 Grangers to true Religion are de-> fcribed in Scripture. Sdcmon calls them a generation that are pure in tber own eyes, and yet not cleanfed from their filthinefe (e). The prophet Ifaiab, and after him our blefTed Saviour, calls them a people that honoureth God with their lips, whilft their heart is far from him (f). Holy David GIL* poftulates with them in the follow- ing words; What haft thou to do to declare my Jlatutes y or that tbou fnouldjl take my covenant in thy mouth ; feeing thou haie/l inflru&ion % and caftcft my 'words behind tfae (g)? St. Paul defcribes them, as N having (e] Prov. xxx. 12. (/) Ifa. xxix. 13, (g) Pfalml. j-6, 17. 1 46 Addrefi relating to B A L L s, Gfc. having the form of godlinefs, but denying the power thereof (b). it is faid of them, Rev. iii. i. that they have a name to Jive, and are dead. Lajlly, they are thus defcribed, and the following tremendous fen- tence is pronounced againft them by our Lord himfelf, from the mouth of his holy Angel. Rev. iii. 15, 1 6, 17. 1 know thy works, that tbou art neither cold nor hot ; / 'would tbou wert cold or hot 5 Jo then becaufi tbou art lukewarm, and nei- ther cold nor hot, I will fpue thee out of my moujtb : becaufe thou fayeft, 1 am rich, and increafed in goods, and have need of nothing ; and know- eft not that tbou art wretched and ntiferable, and poor, and blind, and naked -, (b] 2 Tim. iii. 5. Addrefi relating to BALLS, Gfr. 147 naked-, therefore anoint thine eyes ivith eye-Jafoe, that thou mayeft fee. When we obferve the genera- lity of people who are called Chrif- tians, how many more do we fee who anfwer thefe marks than thofe before given : A difmal proof that numbers are loft through a falfe confidence of falvation, and of the truth of our Saviour's prediction concerning thefe latter days; that becaufe iniquity flail abound^ the hve of many Jhall wax cold (/'). This prophecy is indeed fo ex- adly fulfilled at prefent ; that in- ftead of that Religion, whereby we dedicate ourfefoes, our fouls and bo- N 2 dies (/) Mat. xx iv. 12. 148 Addrefi relating to BALLS, JV. dies to be a rcafonable, boh, and livefy facrifice unto God (k)> the fkeleton of it fcarcely remains. I fear we (hall find this aflertion verified in the following character of Lucinda. (k) Communion Service. SECT. Addrefi relating to BALLS, &c. 149 SECTION VII. J UCINDA is polite, affable, ^ obliging, and univerfally ef- teemed by her acquaintance, who look upon her as a woman of ex- traordinary prudence and piety. She would not for the world omit her Morning aud Evening Prayers ; fhe constantly reads the Pfalms and Lef- fons of the day : fhe is never ab- fent from Church on Sundays, and would oftener be there on week- days, if fhe was not prevented by engagements to go with her friends into the city, to fee what Mercer N 3 keeps 1 50 Addrefi relating to BALLS, Gfa. keeps the mod fafliionable filks * \ or elfe by bufinefs of importance at home j fuch as working in her tambour, the reception of fome vi- fiters, or neceflary difcourfe with her Milliner j or perhaps it is the Dancing-mafter's morning, and (lie knows her children will not take half the pains they ought in fo material a branch of their education, unlefs (he herfelf is prefent. Nobody can be better convinced of the neceflity of vifiting the fick than Lucinda t who not only admi- nifters medicines to the poor, gratis, but This is called by the Ladies, g'ing a , when they generally tumble all the tradefman's goods about, but buy nothing at all. Addrefs relating to B A L L s, &c. 1 5 1 but is always ready to play a cha- ritable game at Cards, or to read a Comedy to a fick friend who is in danger of being low-fpirited. Lucinda goes every month to the Sacrament, belides the three great Feftivals, and hears her children fay their Catechifm every Sunday evening j /he frequently gives fix- pence or a (hilling to the poor ; and never dines till after Evening- fervice, upon Ajk-wednefday, Good- jriday> and the thirtieth of January^ when me makes a hearty meal upon coflly fifti and rich fauce *. Lucinda * Notwithftanding all Luanda's duties, I fear it may be affirmed that flie never prayed or failed in all her life, and that fhe is an utter 1 5 2 Addrefs relating to B A L L s , cjf r. "Luanda is a bitter enemy to naughty women, and often tells you how much me is mocked at the indecent language of ,the common people in the Areets ; yet this very fame Lucinda as readily pays her money for a place in that choice Synagogue of Satan, called a Play- houfe (where me enjoys the com- pany of many of the rakes and proftitutes of the town) and is as much delighted to hear and fee God dilhonoured by the immodeft actions, utter ftranger to every fpark of charity. Whoever will confider the difference there is between praying and faying of prayers, and lock at the defcription given of charity by St. Paul, I Cor. xiii. i 3. and that of fading, by the prophet Ifaiab, Ifai. Iviii. 3, 4, &c. will probably be of the fame opinion. Addrcfs relating to BALLS, &c. 153 actions, oaths, and filthy jefts of the aftors, as any other perlon in the Theatre. The play being fi- nifhed, (lie returns home to fup- per, talks till bed- time, what a charming fellow FOOTE /j, or how ghrioujly GARRICK foone ; fays her prayers, and goes to fleep *. Ranelagb is alfo a favourite di- verfion with Lucinda, though (he would like it much better, if it were poffible to keep out all low company, which fhe was in hopes would * To {hew Luclnda in what light the primitive Church regarded thofe who attend- ed the public fpeflaclef ; that noted Father, Tertullian, gives an account of a Chriftian woman, who in his time returned from the Theatre poflefled with a Devil ; upon which he makes this remark, (viz.) that Satan found her upon hit awn ground. j 54 Addrefs relating to BALLS, &c. would have been the cafe when the price for admiflion was raifed to half a crown : But fince this has not had the wifhed-for effect, and Tradejmens wives 'will Jlill imi- tate their betters* and intrude them- Jches amongst people of fajhion, (he often comes home juit ready to faint, and declares, that though the room was fo crouded, {he could fcarcely flir, yet there was hardly a creature there * A violent Rout is Lucindas averfi- on, yet (he dearly loves a fnug private party * Though I doubt not but Lvclnda has often read St. Paul's Epiftle to Titus, yet I beg leave to remind her that one of the dif- tinguifhing chara&ers there given of Chrif- tian wives, is, that they are KEEPERS AT HOME. Tit. ii. 5. Addrefi relating to B A L L s , &c. 1 5 5 party of four or five tables ; but, notwithftanding (he is immenfely fond of Quadrille, yet (he never touches a Card in the PaJ/ion-iveek, nor the night before the Communion ; and does not much choofe to play either Wednefdays or Fridays in Lenf, when (he can avoid it confijlently with good manners *. Luanda * What is Luanda's reafon for abftain- ing from Card-playing at thefe feafons, but becaufe (he is confcious of the ftrange im- propriety of fuch an employment for thofe who are called upon to redeem the time becaufe the days are evil ? Eph. v. 15. and to grow in grace-t and in the knowledge of cttr Lotd and Saviour Jefus Chr'ijl ? 2 Pet. iii. 18. Moreover^ though (he is fo warm an ad- vocate for this way of confuming her lei- f'jre hours, yet fhe would dread the thought of being fummoned beiora the judgment feat 1 56 Addrefs relating to BALLS, fc. Luanda is greatly difcompofed at the inllitution of the female Coterie^ and declares, that through this fo- ciety, the Soho ^flembly, and the frequency of mafquerades, a vir- tuous woman will in a few years be a pe rfed phoenix. But if the wickednefs of the age caufes Lucinda luch deep concern, the prefent growth of Entbufiafm affords her no lefs matter of regret ; infomuch that often times when (he is at Cards, fhe will hold forth be- tween the Deals, upon the necefiity of fCbriji with a pack of cards in her hands ; Well know, [ ji h circumiLnce:, (he W'..u J ln\c .u-n muft be either Saints or Devils ; though for her own part Jhe is contented to go on in the good old way, and is not fo precife and fcru- pulouSy but that foe can ferine God t and take her innocent amufemenfs very well. 1 Lucinda has now and then fome twinges of confcience, but thefe are generally filenced by calling to mind her duties ; and by reflecting how much more religious me is than any of her acquaintance ; or if this will not do, another chapter in the Bible, and fomewhat extra- ordinary to the firft Beggar (lie meets, prefently fets all to rights again. O Such 158 Addrefi relating to B A L L s, &c. Such is Luanda, and is (he not quite a good creature ? Yet if her Religion is to be tried at the bar of God's word, (he may with as much juftice fuppoie that (lie ferved in quality of a foot-foldier during the laft campaign in Germany, or that (he fought in a coat of mail againft the Saracens in the holy wars, as that {he is now clothed with tbe whole armour of God (!) ; that her life is a fpiritual warfare, and (lie herfelf a good foldier of Jefus Chrift, ivho endurcth hardne/s t and is not entangled with the things of this prefent evil world (/;/). She may as well imagine that {he is taking a pilgrimage with the forks (/) Eph. vi. 1 1, 12, &c. (m) 2 Tim. ii. 3, 4. Addrcfi relating to BALLS, &c. 1 59 Turks to Mahomet's tomb at Medi- na, or with the Papijts to the Vir- gin Marys houfe at Loretto, as that (he is now living like a Jlranger and pilgrim upon earth t looking for a city that hath foundations, who/e builder aud maker is God (n). She may with equal propriety believe that (he has been all her life long laid in a coffin, or wrapt up in a winding-ftieet -, as that Jbe ts now dead to the world, and her life hid with Chrifl in God (o). In fliort, (he .has juft as much reafon to fancy herfelf already a glorified Saint in heaven, as that there is any poflibility of her arriving O 2 there () Heb. xi. 13, 14. (o) Col, iii. 3. 1 60 Addrefs relating to BALLS, Gfc. there in the ftate me is in at pre- fent : Yet how many fouls aie building their hopes of falvation upon fuch a religion as Lucindas ? and for no other reafon in the world, but becaufe they fee others, who are looked upon as excellent Chriftians, going on in the fame way, and in the fame wretched delufion with themfelves : whereas, if they would candidly fcarcb the Scriptures, I queltion not but they would find themfelves condemned in almoft every page of the Gof- pel : For the Lord feetb not as man feetb ; for man looketb at the out- ward appearance, but the Lord look- etb on the heart (/>). Some (p) i Sara. xvi. 7. Addrefi relating to BALLS, Gfa 161 Some people will perhaps cry out, Surely this is talking very - charitably, for at this rate how few will be faved ? But they cannot tell what they mean, except they would have us make God a liar; and in order to lull our poor fellow- creatures into the fatal dream of carnal fecurity, cry, peace, peace to their fouls, where the Lord him- felf hath faid, there is no peace. That found pillar of our excellent Church, Bimop Hall, in his Cba- r after of a real Cbriftian, has thefe words j ' I would it were uncha- ri table to fay, there are many Profeflors, few Cbrijtiam j if ' words and forms might carry it, ' Chrift would have clients enough.' O i Oar 1 62 Adcirefs relating to BALLS, &c. Our blefled Saviour aflures us, that broad is the way, and ivide is the gate, that leadeth to de/lruflion t and many there be that go in thereat j and, that narrow is the and few there be that find it (q) : Yet how compofedly do many per- fons repeat thefe awakening paf- fages, who at the fame time are confirming the truth of them j and though, perhaps, they live in no outward enormities, do neverthelefs fwim with the dream, till they fall into the gulph of endlefs mifery. But if we allow our Saviour to fpeak truth in thefe places, we can have no more terrible proof of our being (y) Mat. vii. 13, 14. Addrefi relating to P A L L s, &c. 1 63 being in the 'way that leads to de- ftrutJion > than when we are doing as the generality of the world do j nor can we have any better evi- dence of our being in the right way, than when we are refoived to aft contrary to the torrent of cuftom, and are regardlefs of being thought particular -j concerning which, Satan's inftruments, in order to af- fright God's children from their obedience, talk fo learnedly in their Led u res upon the neceffity of a prudent compliance r witb the world. Again, when we are told in Scripture, that all who will live godly in Chriji Jefus muft fuffer per- fecution (r), that the kingdom of heaven (r) 2 Tim. iii. 12. 164 Addrefi relating to B A L L s , GiV. heaven fujfereth violence, and that the violent take it by force (s) ; that it is eafier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven (/) ; that whoever will come a^ter Cbrifl, muft deny himfclf, and take u/> his crofs daily, and follow him () ; that many are called, but few cbofen (?>), that the righteous are fcarcelyfaved (x) j that through much tribulation we muft enter into the kingdom cf heaven (y) j and, that many fiall feck to enter in, and fiall not be able (z) : I fay, when we read thefe, and other texts of the like nature, we muft needs ima- gine (V) Mat. xi. 12. (/) Mat. xix. 24. () Mat. xvi. 24. (tf) Mat xx. 16. (*) i Pet. iv. 18. (y) Ads xiv. 22. (z) Luke xiii. 24. Addrefi relating to BALLS, &c. 165 gine, that it is not fo eafy a matter to get to heaven as many people are apt to fancy, who feem to have found out quite a new road thither, very different from that Jlrait, nar- row way, to which our Saviour has directed us, and in which whofo- ever now dares to walk, will be told that he is righteous over much, and folemnly cautioned againft the danger of running into extremes, and carrying matters too far : But this is no more than mult be expected in an age wherein fo many do at once glory in their Jfjame (a), and are afhamed of that in which they ought to glory (b}. An age where- in formality fupplies the place of vital Chriftianity, and in which fpi- ritual () Philip, iii, 19. (b} Gal. vi. 14. 1 66 Addrcfs relating to BALLS, &c. ritual Religion and Enthufiafm are fo far become fynonymous terms; that a perfon is looked upon as little lefs than mad as loon as he comes to the right ufe of his underftand- ing. An age wherein the pure doc- trines of Scripture and of the Re for- metion t are let afide for lifclefs mo- rality and Jr\ ft 'ferns of ethics j and a fteady adherence to the truly evangelical tenets of the cj!abli(/:td Church, is deemed the mark of a weak judgment, and is fufficient to gain a man a name of reproach, and to make him become a by-ivord among the people (c). Let us, therefore, as we value our immortal fouls, take heed how we (c) Job. xvii. 6. Addrefi relating to BALLS, Gfc. 1 67 we fuffer ourfelves to be led affray by any wretched pretenders to Chriftianity, and carefully avoid all thofe fnares that the Devil and his adherents have eftablilhed in this land, which fo jjftly deferves to be vifited by the judgments of a righteous God, for our crying fins and horrible lukewarmnefs. Let us reflect what thofe who have been cut off without having made their peace with God through Chrift. their Redeemer, and have felt the puni(hments of the damned ; let us, I fay, reflect what they would do, could they begin their lives again, or obtain one fuch op- portunity of repentance, as God of his infinite mercy now vouchfafes to us. Would they wafte any of the j 6 8 Addrefs relating to B A L L s, &c. their precious time in BALLS, and fuch like vanities, and dance for hours together upon the frightful precipice of eternity, not knowing but the next moment might hurry them again into thofe inexpreiiihle torments they once experienced, where their worm dietb not, and the Jire is not quenched; where there is weeping and wailing, and gnajlnng of teeth (d) ? JuJge therefore your/elves, Bre- thren, that ye be not judged cf the Lord (e} t and take heal, according to the A pottle's advice, that you re- fufe not him that fpeaketh from hea- ven (f) j fur the God of T- >th (d] Mark ix 4. (A Communion Service. (/; rkb. xi. Addrefi relating to BALLS, &V. 169 hath faid, that his fpirit Jhall not always Jlrive with man (g) : To- day, therefore, whilft it is called to-day, bar den not your hearts ; but calmly and ferioufly reflect what a fearful thing it is to fall into the hands of the living God (/6), whofe word is quick and powerful, andjharper than any two-edged fword, piercing even to the dividing afunder of foul and fpirit (i) ; and who is even a con- fuming fire (k) j and able to deftroy both body and foul in hell (/). Confider, I befeech you, confi- der, that thefe are not airy phan- toms and idle tales, but they are P awful fe) Gen. TI. 3. (k) Heb. x. 31. (i) Heb. iv. 12. (k) Heb, xii. 29. (/) Mat. x. 28. 170 Addrtfi relating to BALLS, Gfr. awful and interefting truths; truths that are founded upon the word of God, ar*d fuch as fhould make the un- renewed heart of every felf-deceiving formalift to tremble ; wherefore, I pray God they may fink deep into your conferences, and excite you to fly to JESUS the Saviour of all that truly turn unto him j and if you are fenfible of your need of a Re- deemer, and will come as a loft, undone fmner, not trujling in your own right eoufnefs, but in God's ma- nifold and great mercies (*), there h no doubt but he will wafh you clean by his precious all-atoning blood, and clothe you with the robe of his perfect righteoufnefs. Being thus made free Jrom Jin, and become (m) Communion Service. Addrefi relating to B A L L s, &c , 171 become fervants to God, be urgent in imploring the continuance of divine grace, to enable you to walk wor- thy of your vocation, in all holinefs and good works. Then {hall you find, (but never by the palliating and fuperficial divinity of too many in our days,) that the ways of Re- ligion are ways of pleafantnefs, and that all her paths are peace (;z). (n) Prov. iii. 17. P 2 The 1 7 2 dddrefs relating to B AL L s, &c. The CONCLUSION. HAVING anfwered the ar- guments commonly brought in vindication of BALLS, and pro- duced feveral proofs of their evil tendency and a&ual wickednefs : having (hewn the reafons why, ne- verthelefs, thefe diverfions have got- ten fuch root, and the fmfulnefs of them is fo little perceived, that many unwary fouls go to them without fufpefting their danger : having admonifhed you to heware of a hlind conformity to cuftom, and of the examples of nominal ChriftianSy and given fome marks whereby fuch may generally be dif- Addrefs relating to BALLS, &c. 1 73 difcerned from thofe who are Cbrif- tians altogether : and laftly, having exhorted you to flee from the wrath to come (o) j unto Him who is able and willing to feme to the uttermoft all that come unto God by him (p} ; I cannot yet conclude, without ob- ferving that it is indeed a melan- choly reflection, that cuftom fliould have fo iar blinded the eyes of many, as to make a demonftration of this kind neceffary j but fince this is the cafe, all proper care, I hope, has been taken to fet forth thefe enormities under their true colours, which, I truft, I have now- done without the lead aggravation ; and if it can be proved that I have alTerted any thing whatever, that is (0) Mat. iii. 7. (p) Heb. vii. 75. 174 Addrcfi relating to B A L L s, & c. ia not flrictly agreeable to holy Scripture and plain Reafon, I readily give up the point *. I am * Though, I truft, I have advanced no- thing agamft Balls and PJays, but what can be warranted by the beft authority ; yet I may be perhaps thought rather too fevere in having ccnfured THE FLOURISHING TRADE OF CARD-PLAYING : for, fmce we read in hiftory of a Raman Emptror who fpent his time in catching flies^ furely we may juflly claim the privilcdge of diverting ourft-lves a few hours in an evening (cfpe- cia'ly as it may be done fo very confiftentiy with the fafhionable ideas of piety) in count- ing black and red fpots, and afking, IPbat's trumf>, who Jhujfled^ who cut, and who dealt ? I forbear mentioning the peevifh and ava- ricious tempers which are too often confyi- cuous at a Card table ; as well as the fibs which are told about wrut is won or loft. And Addrefs relating to BALLS, fc. 175 I am fenfible, that if any body in the firft ages of the Church had attempted to prove that no Cbrifti- an could go to BALLS, PLAYS, ROUTS, REVELLINGS, and fucb like, without difgracing hrs holy profeffion ; his arguments would have been looked upon to be as unneceffary, as thofe of a man who, in thefe days, mould write a folio in order to prove that the Sun mines on a bright day * 3 and his labour as needlcfs, as that of one who (hould go through all the rules of And though we (hould be free from thefe tempers ourfclves (which I believe, however, is very difficult upon fuch occafions,) yet we certainly ought not to be inftrumental in flaring them up in the hearts of others. 176 Addrefs relating to BALLS, fc. of arithmetic to (hew that two and tiuo make four j but, Tempora mutantur, nos et muta- mur in illis ? The Church could once her Golden Ages boajl ; But fad experience proves tbofe Ages loft ! THE END. f I - & II lilWiiiilimiiiiii Illlllllllll A 000019133 8