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. (</) Mat. xi. 29.
 
 Addrefe relating to BALLS, &c. 23 
 
 Are they crucified to the world, and 
 the world to them (e) ? Do they hun- 
 ger and thirft after Righteoujhefs ? 
 Are they of the number of thofe 
 pure in heart t thofe poor in fpirit, 
 or of thofe meek and blcfjcd mourners 
 (y), to whom our Lord has pro- 
 mifed the kingdom of heaven ? 
 Are they pre fling toward the mark> 
 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, <oV. 
 
 whom they Jhine as lights in the world 
 (b} ? In a word, are they new crea~ 
 tures in Chrifl Jefus (<:) ? 
 
 Thefe, and fuch as thefe, are 
 Scripture-marks of a Chiiilian j and 
 Scripture is the only touchftone 
 whereby we can, according to the 
 Apollle's command, /ry the Spirits 
 whether they are of God (d) : and 
 though we are not to pafs hafty 
 cenfures upon any, yet we mud not 
 fo far difhonour the Gofpel of our 
 blefled Saviour, as to admit every 
 vain pretender to Chriftianily into 
 the clafs of true believers; for as 
 fure as GOD'S word is true, any 
 perfon who has not the before -men- 
 tioned 
 
 (b) Philip, ii. 15. (c) 2 Cor, v. 17. 
 (d) i John iv. i.
 
 'Addrefi relating ta B A L L s, SV . 27 
 
 tioned marks of a Cbrijllan^ can lay 
 no juft claim to the name : There- 
 fore before we wafte our precious 
 time at BALLS, PLAYS, CARD- 
 TABLES *, 8cc. upon the prefump- 
 C 2 tioti 
 
 * Permit me here juft to put a queftion 
 or two to every Lady who frequents Card- 
 tables. Firft, how can yau confidently with 
 your chriftian profeffion in the leaft degree 
 countenance a practice, which evidently is 
 and has been attended with fuch fatal confe- 
 quences as gaming is known to produce ? 
 Secondly, Can any woman who fpends great 
 part of an evening in playing at Cards, and 
 no inconfidtrable part of the morning in re- 
 ceiving, fending, reading and writing Cards 
 for engagements, reafonably conclude that fhe 
 is clothing h erf elf with the whole armour of 
 God, and working out her own falvation with 
 fear and trembling ? Eph. vi. 13. Phil. ii. i2. 
 But you will perhaps tell me, you are ly no 
 means a conjlant player at Cards, and when you 
 do, it is only for a trifle^ juft to kill the time, or 
 
 ftfl
 
 2 8 Addrefi relating to B A L L s , &c. 
 
 tion that many good Cbrifliam make 
 no fcruple of going to them, how 
 much docs it behove us to examine 
 whether the above Scripture- marks 
 of a Chrijlian do appear (and where 
 they are, they muft appear) in thofe 
 
 perfons 
 
 pafi away an idle how, and that by playing 
 at Cards you often avoid doing much worfe ! 
 Though I will not pretend to deny the truth 
 of this affection, yet I hope it will be fuffi- 
 cient anfwer to fay, that I am forry you 
 think the fhort time allotted you in this ftate 
 cf probation to prepare your Soul for Eter- 
 nity, to be fo very cheap a drug that you will 
 fell it for a trijle^ when you are fo folemnly 
 called upon to redeem it ; and that it will be 
 as vain an excufe to that idle unprofitable 
 fervant who hid his lord's talent in the earthy 
 Mat. xxv. 25. to fay, bt might have been 
 doing worfe j as it would be for a criminal 
 who was accufed of theft, to plead in his 
 own behalf that he might have been com- 
 mitting murder.
 
 Addrefe relating to BALLS, &c. 9 
 
 perfons by whofe examples we fuffer 
 ourfelves to be led ? For if thefe 
 be the Bible-evidences of a Chriflian, 
 and if they are not found hi thofe 
 whofe Religion is fet up for the 
 warrant of BALLS, then their pre- 
 fence at them cannot juftify or au- 
 thorife them j and we arc reduced 
 to the neceffity either of difbelieving 
 the Bible * or elfe of believing that 
 thofe who have not thefe evidences 
 are no otherwife Chrijlians than by 
 name and outward profeffion. 
 
 St. Paul aflures us, fhafhe h nof a 
 Jew who is one outwardly y neither is 
 that circumcifion which is outward in 
 the fleft ; but he is a Je-w who is one 
 inwardly, and circumcifion is that of 
 the heart t in the fpirit, and not in 
 C 3 the
 
 3 o Addrefs relating to B A L L s, &c. 
 
 the letter (f) : So he is certainly no 
 Chriftian who is only one outward- 
 ly ; neither is that baptifm which 
 confifts in the meer outward washing 
 of water ; but he is a Chriftian who 
 is one inwardly, and baptifm is that 
 of the heart, in the fpirit, and not 
 in the letter only. 
 
 Now, as it is impofllble for any 
 body to object againft this conclu- 
 fion, entertain not for the future 
 fuch unworthy notions of a real 
 Chriftian, who has in him the mind 
 that 'was in Chrift (f), as to fuppofe 
 that fuch an one will go to BALLS, 
 PLAY-HOUSES, or any of thofe 
 Seminaries of Vice > 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 
 <lifciple on my Saviour's breaft ! O 
 how vain and intolerable do all 
 fublunary pleafures feem to me, 
 when my foul is thus happy in 
 communion with my redeeming 
 Lord, and when I can fay in the 
 words of the Spoule, * lam my be- 
 loved's, and my beloved is mine (TO).' 
 
 Hear now the language of the 
 falfe Chriflian's heart, whether he 
 be openly wicked, or decently luke- 
 warm 
 
 (/) Cant. vi. 3.
 
 6 8 Addreft relating to B AL L s, &c. 
 
 warm. * O how unhappy (hould I 
 be, were I to be deprived of the 
 joys cf the BALL, the wit and 
 repartee of the Stage, or the plea- 
 fing anxiety of the Card-Table, by 
 a dull inanimated round of dry 
 Devotions, vvhilft a plentiful fortune 
 affords me fuch frequent opportu- 
 nities of relaxing myfelf in the 
 pleafures of gay company, and the 
 diverfions of the beau monde* 
 
 Here then confifts the great dif- 
 ference between the one and the 
 other of thefe charafters. The 
 real Chriftian feeks relaxation in his 
 God, from the noife and hurry of 
 the world. The falfe Chriifon 
 feeks relaxation in the noife and 
 hurry of the world from the horrid 
 drudgery of Religion. 
 
 To
 
 Addrefs relating to BALLS, &c. 69 
 
 To proceed : Do you confider 
 what heinous mockery you are 
 guilty of before God, every time 
 you fay your prayers, till you give 
 up all thoughts of ever going to 
 another BALL ? For inftance only, 
 in the Lord's Prayer. How can 
 you heg that the Name of God may 
 be hallowed by you (#), when you 
 are calmly refolved to neglecT: the 
 common duty of waiting upon God 
 in Evening Prayer (perhaps alfo in 
 Family Prayer) in order to go to a 
 diverfion which direftly tends to the 
 diihonour of Chrift, and to the 
 fubverfion of every holy temper ? 
 How can you pray that God's king' 
 d"om may come, and his will be done in 
 earth, as it is in heaven (y) j whilft 
 
 you 
 
 (*) (y) Lord's Prayer.
 
 70 dddrrfs relating to BALLS, JV. 
 
 you continue to pradife fuch things 
 as would not only thwart his will, 
 but have a tendency to eftablifh the 
 kingdom of Lucifer , and to over- 
 throw the kingdom of God ? Laft- 
 ly, how can you, without the 
 higheft degree of hypocrify, be- 
 feech the Almighty not to lead you 
 into temptation, and to deliver you 
 from ei)il (z) > 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<fls in the hearts 
 of all his people, to make them 
 meet to be partakers of the inheritance 
 of the faints in light (/). It is fuch 
 a change, that from being aliens 
 and enemies, we become real heirs 
 and friends (w). It is a crucifixion 
 of that corrupt nature which we 
 have from Adam^ called in Scrip- 
 ture the old man (), and a putting 
 on a new nature, which we derive 
 from Chrift the fccond Adam, called 
 in contradit\intion, the new man (0), 
 
 where Dy 
 
 (I) t Pet. ii. 9. (/) Col. i. 12, 13. 
 
 (m) Kph. ii. 12, 13. Col. i. 21. Rom. v. 
 
 10. viii. 17. () Rom. vi. 6. Gal. 
 
 ii. 20. v. 24.. vi. 14. 
 (5) tph. iv. 22, 24.
 
 Addrefs relating to BALLS, &c. 91 
 
 whereby thofe holy difpofitions 
 and tempers which we loft by the 
 fall are in great meafure reftored, 
 and the foul is renewed after the 
 image of him that created him (p.) 
 Old things are pall away, behold! 
 all things are become new (q). 
 
 And now the man thus created 
 anew and begotten again to a lively 
 hope (r), is looked upon as dead, 
 and rifen again in another fenie. 
 As before he was alive to the world, 
 and dead to the things of God, fo 
 now he is dead to the world, and 
 alive to the things of God j con- 
 formed to Chrift in the likenefs of his 
 death, by a death unto fin j and in 
 
 'the 
 
 (p] Col. iii. 10. (q) 2 Cor. v. 17. 
 
 (r) i Pet. i. 3.
 
 9 2 Addrefs relating to B AL L s, Gfr. 
 
 //# likenefs of his rsfurreflion, by 
 rifing again unto righteoufnefs (i). 
 
 Although thefe expreflions are all 
 extra&ed from the word of God, 
 and ftand unadulterated by any 
 comment of man's devifing, yet 
 they are by fome impioufly treated 
 as enthufiaftical fancies and chi- 
 meras j and by others as relating 
 only to the eonverfion of fuch as 
 lived in pagan times -, as if faith 
 were nothing more than a fpecula- 
 tive aflent to the externul evidence 
 of the Gofpel, and as if the fame 
 divine power were not nccefTary 
 to open the narurally dark under- 
 (landing of one as of another, whe- 
 ther he happen to be born in a 
 
 Chriftian 
 
 (j) Rom. vi. 5. Col. ii. 12. iii. i, 3.
 
 Addrcfe relating to BALLS, &c. 93 
 
 Chriftian country or not : for as a 
 truly pious author * obferves, * Out- 
 
 * ward discoveries of truth, till in- 
 ' wardly received, can no more 
 
 * profit, than the fun in the firma- 
 4 ment can give fight to the blind j 
 
 * but when that lame God who 
 
 * commanded the natural light to Jhlne 
 ' out of darknefiifoinrth in our hearts, 
 V to give us the light of the knowledge 
 
 * f the gh r y f God in the face of 
 < Jgfus Chrijl (t) t then in his light 
 
 * we truly fee light, and the two 
 '. witnefles agree together, as face an- 
 
 * fwereth to face in a glafs.' How- 
 ever, it is a melancholy truth that 
 thefe things are very little underftood 
 
 or 
 
 * The Rev. Mr. Hartley, Redor of Win- 
 iilck in Northamptonjhire, 
 
 (0 2 Cor. iv. 6.'
 
 94 Addrefi relating to BALLS, &c. 
 
 or attended to ; and hence it is that 
 there is ib terrible a decay of in- 
 ward vital religion, and that piety 
 is mealurcd by (hew and profeflion : 
 hence it is that thoufands run into 
 the ftrangeft abfurdities, and by a 
 mixture of holy duties, and a round 
 of vain amufements, compofe a 
 motley character ; which, whilft by 
 its decency it gains the efteem of 
 the world, and iupports the pride 
 of formality, is utterly deftitute of 
 every internal principle of the divine 
 life. A little development may per- 
 haps place this character in a more 
 finking light. I will iuppofe you, 
 what you fuppofe yourfelf, a very 
 good fort of body : As fuch, you 
 make it a conftant 'practice to go to 
 the Sacrament, yet you continue to 
 allow yourfelf in what the world 
 
 calls
 
 Addrefi relating to 8 A L L s , fc. 9 5 
 
 calls its Diverfions, BALLS,. -AS- 
 SEMBLIES, &c. Should I afk yotf, 
 how you can think thefe things 
 confident, you would tell me, that 
 if the one is neceffary, the other is 
 innocent. But pray how comes it 
 to pafs, if you think it thus inno- 
 cent, that you choofe, among the 
 other parts of the preparation for 
 the Sacrament^ to abftain that week 
 from BALLS and places of enter- 
 tainment ? Is there not a confciouf- 
 nefs in your heart, that there is a 
 manifeft inconfiftence, for the fame 
 perfon, within a few days diftance, 
 to lead up a dance, and kneel at 
 the Lord's Table ; to fparkle to- 
 night amidft the train of pleafure, 
 and follow with the greateft de- 
 light the found of a fiddle, and 
 to-morrow to fall prodrate before 
 
 a cru-
 
 96 Addrefi relating to BALLS, f<r. 
 
 a crucified Saviour, pouring forth 
 tears, ivhilft you look on him whom 
 you have pierced, and mourn (u) ? 
 Now, abfnrd as this is, it is the 
 practice of many who would pafs 
 for devout. Indeed, according to 
 the prefent fyftem of lukewarmnefs, 
 when to go to the Lord's Supper 
 three times a year is by the mojl 
 judged piety fufHcient, and to attend 
 a monthly Communion is godlinefs 
 above the the common level, this 
 may do well enough, and the felf- 
 denial is not great. For fuppofing 
 a weekly BALL, at the worit they 
 would only twelve times in the 
 year be abfent from it. But now 
 fuppofe thcfe abfenfers from BALLS 
 the Communion-week, had lived 
 
 nearer 
 
 (w) Zech. xii. 10.
 
 Addrefi relating to BALLS, &c. 97 
 
 nearer the primitive times, when 
 they not only on the firft day of 
 the week affembled for- breaking of 
 bread, and for prayer, but from 
 honfe to houfe (w), through the 
 week, remembered their Lord's death, 
 till he come ; they muft either have 
 entirely given up their BALL, or 
 been utterly excluded from the 
 communion of the faithful. 
 
 To enter a Ball-room on the 
 Friday of the Paffion-week, the day 
 of the crucifixion of the Lord of 
 life and glory, would certainly be 
 reckoned profane by thofe who 
 have the loweft notions of the 
 Chriftian Religion : it would indi- 
 cate an uncommon infenfibility to 
 I that 
 
 (w) A<3s it. 46,
 
 98 Addref* relating to BALLS, Gfa. 
 
 that allonifhing Sacrifice, and great 
 carelefnefs about the effects of it. 
 But is it not the Chriftian's duty 
 to remember this, and to live undtr 
 the influence, and in the view of 
 that awful tranfaclion, every day 
 of his life, as much as on Good- 
 Friday ? 1 believe the Scripture 
 will not give you the lead reafon 
 10 fuppofe, that what would be 
 profane then, would not at any 
 uther feafon be unbecoming the 
 foul, who is always enjoined to be 
 looking for and hajling unto tbe co- 
 ming of the day of the Lord (x), 
 and remembers him at his table 
 for this very purpofe, that he may 
 continually have his loins girt, and 
 his light burning ; and be bimfclf be 
 
 as 
 
 (*) 2 Pet. iii. i?.
 
 Addrefi relating to BALLS, efc 99 
 
 as one that waiteth for the hrlde- 
 grcom, when be will return to the 
 marriage (jy). 
 
 
 
 Can it he doubted, whether or 
 no, what is acknowledged to indif- 
 pofe our hearts for waiting upon 
 God, and unfits us for the duties, 
 of love which we owe to each ' 
 other, ought to be avoided by thofp 
 who are commanded to be reefy 
 for every good word and work (z) ? 
 I have i'poken before of the indif- 
 pofition for prayer which fuch 
 amufements occafion 5 I would add 
 a word more with regard to another 
 focial duty. Should you receive a 
 mefTage from any near friend or 
 relation, whilft you were in the 
 I 2 middle 
 
 (y] Luke xii. 35, 36. (z) Tit. iii. i.
 
 j oo Addnfs relating to BALLS, &V , 
 
 middle of a Dance, that fuch 
 friend or relation was very ill, 
 and defined once more to receive 
 the pledges of a Saviour's love, be- 
 fore he went to drink of the fruit 
 rf the vine where he Jkould drink 
 it ne-w with Chrift in the kingdom 
 cf his father (a) j that as you were 
 near and dear to him, your com- 
 pany would be defirablc, that he 
 might here take as it were a fo- 
 lemn farewel of you, till you fhould 
 meet again j I fuppofe you would 
 not think yourfelf in a proper ftate 
 to be a meet partaker of this holy 
 Ordinance, after having been talk- 
 ing for hours together of nothing 
 but vanity ; as, How prodigioujly 
 ' warm it is ; how well or ill fuch 
 
 a Lady 
 
 (a] Mat. xxvi, 29.
 
 AJdrefs relating to BALLS, cffr. i o i 
 
 a Lady looks ; what a flocking 
 figure fuch a one is ; what a 
 chcrming filk fie has on, and bow 
 teely her head is drejfed\ how 
 
 rent 
 
 ' many couples there are ; how many 
 ' pretty Dances have been called^ 
 f how Mifi fuch an one and her 
 ' partner flirted it away together , 
 1 and much more of the like con- 
 * v erf at ion to the ufe of edifying : 
 ConSder ferioufly whether after fuch 
 a fcene you would not have caufe 
 to fear, that were you called to 
 receive the communion of the body 
 and blood of Chrift, you fhould eaf 
 and drink unworthily y and con ft - 
 quently eat and drink damnation to 
 yourfelf(b] ; and that therefore you 
 mult refufe the laft kind office to 
 I 3 your 
 
 (b) i Cor. xi. 29.
 
 ] o 2 Addrcfs relating to B A L L s , &c. 
 
 your dying friend j and if fo, you 
 may cafily difcover, that whatever 
 in your conduct occafions this, is as 
 utterly inconfiftent with true charity, 
 and love of your brother, as it is 
 contrary to the duty and love you 
 owe to Chrift and God. 
 
 You will fay, perhaps, there is 
 /z time for (ill tbingi ; (though in 
 the ule you make of thde words 
 you horridly pervert their mean- 
 ing *}. Yet, 1 would afk, in an- 
 
 fwcr, 
 
 * Stfcmon, who had perhaps drank deeper 
 draughts of wmldly pleafure than any per Ion 
 tiihcr before or fmce his time, after declaring 
 that all earthly things are empty and delu- 
 live, procfids to (hew that notwithstanding 
 thi., the generality of people are wholly 
 ultm up in the purfuit of them ; and yet 
 
 there
 
 Addrefs relating to B A L L s, &c, 1 03 
 
 fwer, 'whether there is a time to 
 
 Jin, and whether a Chriitian can 
 
 ever innocently allow himfelf in 
 
 any practice whereby the temper 
 
 of 
 
 there are fome who would Co grofly mifin- 
 terpret the words of this great Penitent, as 
 to make him countenance thofe very things 
 which he affirms to be only vanity and 
 vexation of fpirit. 
 
 I the rather mention this, becaufe I once 
 heard of a young Lady, who, upon reading 
 thofe words, Ecclef. iii. 4. a time to dance^ 
 took it into her head that Solomon was an 
 advocate for Balls ; whereas, if (he would 
 have given herfelf the trouble of examining 
 the context, (he would have found that this 
 wife Prince, fo far from fpeaking as fbe 
 would have him, is reckoning up the cares 
 and follies which, fomc at one time, fome 
 at another, wholly engrofs the attention of 
 the multitude, to the utter neglect of their 
 immortal Souls j amongft the chief of which 
 follies he counts that of dancing.
 
 I o 4 Addrefs relating to BALL s , &c. 
 
 of his heart is fo far difcompofed, 
 as to unfit him for a communion of 
 Saints, a-id fellowship with the Fa- 
 ther and the Son ? And whether, if 
 death ihould ftize him in this ftate,* 
 he mutt not necetfarily be excluded 
 from both for ever ? A thought 
 that deferves the mod awakened 
 attention ! 
 
 Having (hewn in how g-t-at a 
 degree the diverfion of BALLS indil- 
 pofes us for the duties we owe both 
 to God and our neighbour, as well 
 as its utter inconfiftence with that 
 humility, meeknefs and poverty of 
 fpirit which the Gofpel indifpenfi- 
 bly requires ; I (hall conclude this 
 Section with obferving, that fome, 
 who are mighty advocates for 
 BALLS, would neverthelefs loudly 
 
 exclaim
 
 Addrefi relating to BALLS, &c. 1 05 
 
 exclaim againft thofe familiarities 
 which are always praclifed at them, 
 as palpable violations of the laws of 
 modefty, were they to fee them 
 put in execution by a company of 
 young people of different fexes 
 where the found of a f.udle was 
 wanting to drown reflection : and 
 that many Ladies, who without 
 hefitation fuffer thefe liberties to be 
 taken with them in a public aflem- 
 bly-room, would highly refent them, 
 if they were not authorized under 
 the polimed name of DANCING. 
 
 SECT.
 
 1 o 6 Aiidf cfi relating to B A L i < 
 
 SECTION V. 
 
 WHAT need is there of any 
 more arguments againft the 
 clivcrfion of modern BALLS? I trull 
 that what J have faid already is fuf- 
 ficient to convince every reafonable 
 perfon that they are a fcindal to a 
 Chriftian country. 1 proceed there- 
 fore to examine how it comes to 
 pafs, that the wickednefs of BALLS 
 is fb little perceived, that many 
 inconfiderate, well-meaning perfons, 
 continue to go to them without ever 
 being fenfible how great a fin they 
 commit in fo doing : . I fay how 
 great a fin they commit, becaufe,. 
 though they may not be confcious 
 
 of
 
 
 Addrefi relating to 3 A L L s, &c. 1 07 
 
 of any fm at all, yet wilful igno- 
 rance is no plea for innocence : 
 tlfe the Jews had been guilty of no 
 crime in crucifying the Lvd of lije, 
 nor St. Paul in perfecting .Chritl 
 and his Church ; who neverthelefs 
 Ailes himfelf the c'-l'f of Jinnen 
 (c) j alluding, as he himfelf allures 
 us, to thole very fins he committed 
 ignoramly. 
 
 The principal caufe why the 
 \\ickednefs of BALLS is fo little 
 attended to, is their having been 
 lo long eftablilhed, and frequented 
 by fo many people who make an 
 outward JJ:ew of Religion ; which 
 inclines perfons to think that a cuf- 
 tom fet up as it were by law, in a 
 
 rution 
 
 '(c) i Tim. i. 15.
 
 loS Addrefs relating to BALLS, &c. 
 
 nation profefling faith in the name 
 of Jefus, and countenanced even 
 by fuch as are efteemed pious 
 Chriftians, can neither be linful in 
 itfelf, nor attended \vith any per- 
 nicious confequences : But a little 
 confederation uill convince us of 
 the fallacy of fuch reafoning ; for 
 it muft be allowed, that no cuftom 
 in itfelf fmful, (as I have fully 
 proved that of BALLS to be) can 
 alter its nature, either by being long 
 eftabliflied, by being fet up in a 
 Chriftian country, or becaufe it is 
 conformed to by fuch as are called 
 good Cbriftians ; but on the con- 
 trary, the guilt of every fin what- 
 ever is aggravated in proportion to 
 the time we have for reflection, and 
 the light afforded us for avoiding 
 it i and there is no realon to doubt 
 
 but
 
 Addrefi relating to BALLS, &c. 
 
 but the enemy of fouls takes a far 
 greater fatisfadion in feeing people 
 fall into his fnares in a land where 
 Chriftianity is the eftablifhed Re- 
 ligion, than in a nation of Pagans 
 or Mahometans. 
 
 Further, would we ferioufly con- 
 fider how ftrangely cuftom metam- 
 orphofes the nature of things in 
 the minds of weak people, and 
 what extravagancies all its votaries 
 muft inevitably fall into ; would 
 we confider this, I am perfuaded 
 we mould not fuffer burfelves to be 
 hurried away by a blind conformi- 
 ty to its laws, without weighing 
 the fatal confcquences -, which is 
 the cafe with fuch multitudes, who 
 are contented to do wrong, merely 
 becaufe others have done fo before 
 K them ;
 
 1 10 Addrefs relating to BALLS, GV. 
 
 them ; and becaufe they never 
 fufpeft that fo many people 
 who are looked upon as gcoa 
 Chrtflians, are all the while leading 
 them to perdition. 
 
 For inftance, Sunday in Popim 
 countries is the chief day for Horfe- 
 races, Plays, Balls, Cards, &c. and 
 there are few Papifts who think 
 there is any more harm in going 
 to thefe d/verfions on a Sunday, 
 than on any other day, becaufe 
 cuftom makes no difference between 
 them > 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 <we are repro- 
 bates (/>), 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 <o h.jue ih<t the 
 
 ' -uiid her a : th her 
 
 ^nd her ml In- ' . \\v.
 
 Addrefs relating to B AL L s, &c 1 57 
 
 of keeping a proper medium in 
 Religion ; but, ' forfooth, people 
 now -a- day s> 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 <way y and 
 Jlrait is the gate, that leadetb to life> 
 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.
 
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