THAT is, ‘The great Univer­sal Impiety of Men, is a mostDr. Hammond in Locum. sad Spectacle, fit to be wash'd in whole Floods of Tears, and is just matter of the deepest Hu­miliation and Lamentation, to all pious Beholders.’ And indeed there is scarce any Reflection, which affords matter of greater Grief and Humiliati­on [Page 2] to all good and considerate Persons, than seriously to ponder and lay to Heart, the Principles and Practises of those great Numbers of Men, who keep not God's Law: For such Men bring infinite dishonour to God, scandal and mischief to others, and oft involve a whole Nation and People in the same Ruine and Destruction with themselves; for when Societies or great Numbers of Men combine to do wic­kedly,Prov. 11. 21. When Hand thus joins in Hand, the Wicked shall not go unpunished.

And therefore to be suitably affected to such a Face of Affairs, to such an ill­bodeing posture of Things, concerns every good Man, as well as it did King David: Especially Magistrates, and those who are vested with Power and Authority, for the Punishment of Evil­workers, their Sorrow and Humiliation because Men keep not God's Law, may be of excellent use, to stir them up, im­partially to restrain or punish all Vice and Immorality, all Atheism and Blas­phemy, and to maintain God's true Re­ligion and Virtue: And the more Zea­lous [Page 3] any one is for God's Glory, the greater deference he pays to the Reve­lation of his Mind and Will, the deep­lier will he be affected with this most de­plorable Case, the faster will his Eyes gush out with Water, because Men keep not Gods Law.

The full Sense of which Words, may, I think, be fairly comprehended within the Compass of this short Proposition or Doctrine,

In my Discourse upon this Proposi­tion, I will endeavour as plainly as I can, to do these Four Things.

[Page 4]I. I will shew, that this is our Case▪ That Impiety and Irreligion are at this Time very prevalent amongst us.

II. I will prove, That this ought to be matter of deepest Humiliation and Trouble of Mind to all good Men, espe­cially to them that are in Stations of Eminence and Authority.

III. I will hint what Effects our Sor­row and Humiliation for the prevailing Wickedness of the Land, ought to have upon all good Men, especially upon those in Authority.

IV. By way of Reflection upon the whole, I will shew you, That to en­gage our most vigorous endeavours to obtain those Happy Effects, we have the noblest Incouragement, the greatest Obligations imaginable. And

1. I am to shew, That this is our present Case, that Impiety and Irreligi­on are at this Time very prevalent a­mong us. This God knows is too ob­vious a Truth to need an Elaborate Proof, and our own daily Experience (unless we be wholly Strangers to the World) may give us a sad and convin­cing Evidence of it: Nay 'tis the Sense [Page 5] of the whole Nation, declar'd by our Representatives in Parlia­ment, ‘That Prophane­nessHouse of Com­mons Address to the King, January, 1697. and Immorality, like a general Contagion, have diffus'd and spread them­selves throughout the Kingdom, to the great Scandal and Reproach of our Religion, and Dishonour and Pre­judice of the Government:’ And 'tis the Observation of very Wise and Con­siderate Persons, that never any Age heretofore, that has been surrounded with so much Light, can equal the Im­piety of the Present, in their bold Com­mission of the Works of Darkness; for the Modern Debauchees have not thought it sufficient, barely to put them­selves into a State of Enmity with God by their wicked Works, but they have also combined to add Insolence to their Diligence in sinning; not only negle­cting and violating the Laws of Heaven, but heaping up horrid contumelies and affronts upon the Majesty of him who dwelleth there; as if they had enter'd into a Confederacy, at once, to abrogate God's Laws, and dethrone their Ma­ker, [Page 6] and like the old Builders of Ba­bel, thought that nothingGen. 11. 6. now wou'd be restrain'd from them, which they have imagined to do.

This is the Present Case of those ri­otous Sinners, who because they will not be restrain'd by the Laws of Chri­stianity, do therefore resolve to cast all the scorn and disgrace they possibly can upon them, for should those Laws maintain their Reputation, they would contrarily upbraid their contrary Pra­ctice, and for this Reason they have learnt to Dispute themselves out of their Creed, and to oppose the first Princi­ples of the Oracles of God, least they shou'd be thought Fools, or Knaves, for Living contrary to them.

And though there have been abomi­nable Immoralities in every Age, yet surely we in this are faln into the very Dregs of Time, when the Funda­mental Points of all Religion both Na­tural, and Reveal'd, are encounter'd by the Combined Forces of Socinians, Deists, and Atheists, who all join (however they otherwise differ) in a [Page 7] very scurrilous Treatment of the Per­sons, and Contempt of the Office of our most Pious Orthodox Clergy, daily publishing to the World, that our teach­ing the Truths of the Gospel is but Priest-craft, and our Pressing a Good Life, but a Trade, that by these base and sinister Methods, they may through our sides, more effectually wound, and undermine the Religion we Profess and Defend, and make Men dissolute, and regardless of God, and their Duty. But thus much may suffice to evince the incontestable Truth of the first Proposi­tion, that Impiety and Irreligion are at this Time very prevalent amongst us.

I now proceed to Prove.

2. That this ought to be matter of the deepest Humiliation and Sorrow to all good Men, and especially to those that are in Stations of Eminence and Autho­rity; such was David, a Great and Pi­ous Prince in Israel, and therefore Ri­vers of Waters ran down his Eyes, be­cause Men kept not Gods Law. For the greater and better Men are, the more hearty and affectionate concern they must needs have for the Glory of God, [Page 8] the Honour of Religion, the Welfare of the World, and the Prosperity of that particular Kingdom or Civil Socie­ty of which themselves are Members; and upon all these Accounts they have just cause to be afflicted and humbled, for the Confederate, Insolent attempts of Wicked Men, to disturb or destroy the Tranquility and Happiness both of Church and State.

1. Such Persons may consider, that the Infidelity and Luxury of a Nation, is the ready way to provoke God to Unchurch us, and to remove our Can­dlestick out of its Place; the Scripture tells us, that when God is most angry, and resolves to punish a People most severely, he threatens them not so much with Temporal Losses as with Spiritual Judgments; as to deprive them of their Pastours and Teachers, to remove their Candlestick, to send a Famine of the Word among them, and to leave them to themselves, and to their own Way: A Famine of Bread, and want of Water, are great and hea­vy Punishments upon any People, but there is something worse than all this, [Page 9] and that is a Famine of the Word. This God-himself sets down as the heavier Judgment of the two, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will send a Famine in the Land, not a famine of Bread, nor a thirst for Waters, but of hear­ing the Word of the Lord: And they shall wander from Sea to Sea, and run to and fro to seek the Word of the Lord, and shall not find it, Amos 8. 11.

This is a Calamity indeed! greater than all others: When God to punish a People for their wickedness, takes away the very Means of their becom­ing better; and because they spurn'd at the Light, condemns them to spiritual Blindness and Darkness. And what is this but to begin Hell upon Earth, and to take an Antepast of Outer Darkness. and Misery to come?

It is one of the most dreadful and a­wakening threatnings that God cou'd use to Excite the The Church of Ephesus. Asiatick Churches to re­pent, that if they did not, he would come unto 'em quickly, and remove their Candlestick out of its place.

And surely, if the loud Oaths, an [...] daring Blasphemies of not a few; If th [...] hypocritical Pretences of many to Pie [...] and Devotion; If the Cheats and P [...] juries, and Oppressions under whic [...] the Nation groans; If the filthy Speeches, and lewd Actions; If the Drunke [...] ­nesses, Adulteries, Whoredoms, and i [...] ­moralities of all sorts, which, some a [...] so far from being afraid to commit i [...] secret, that for want of other Witnesses they will Evidence against themselves by declaring their Sin as Sodom, Isa. 3. [...]. In short, If all the Profane Raillery an [...] Abuse which is daily put upon the Scri­ptures, and every thing that is Sacred▪ particularly, the Ridiculing and Exposing the Mysteries of our most Hol [...] Faith, can provoke God to abandon [...] People, to lay them waste, to remov [...] his Church and Gospel from amongs [...] them, and to make them the Scorn an [...] Derision of those who are round about then have we just cause to fear an [...] tremble, lest God shou'd pronounce th [...] same Sentence upon us, as he did upon the wi [...]ked and ungrateful Jews, Jer. [...] ▪ 12. Go ye now (saith he) unto my plac [...] [Page 11] which was in Shiloh, where I set my Name at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my People Israel: Now be­cause ye have done all these works, saith the Lord, and I spake unto you, but ye heard not; therefore will I do unto this House; which is called by my Name, as I have done to Shiloh, and I will cast you out of my sight as I have cast out all your Brethren. Paralel to which is that Commination of our Saviour, to the same stiff-necked and rebellious People, therefore I say un­to you, the Kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a Nation bringing forth the fruits thereof, Matth. 21. 43. This is what we have great reason to fear, because we so justly deserve it; and indeed, what Counterpoize can there be to such bold, such daring im­pieties, but the Prayers and Tears, and Endeavours of those good Souls, who betake themselves to the Throne of Grace, to that Infinite Mercy of God which hath so long spared us, when we deserved Punishment; for if God had been extream to mark what we have done amiss, we could never have been able to abide it; but we find by experi­ence, [Page 12] that there is yet Mercy with him that he might be feared: And Oh! that our deep Humiliation, our hearty Re­pentance and Reformation, may still en­gage God to be propitious to his Church, and to pity his Heritage, that so iniquity may not be our ruine. But

2. As our prevailing wickedness threatens the Removal of our Candle­stick, the Misery and Desolation of God's Church amongst us; so the a­bounding Impiety and Profaneness of any People, does constantly provoke God to inflict severe Temporal Evils and Punishments upon them, according to the Measure of their Demerits and Pro­vocations; and for this, all of us, and especially those that are good, have just cause to be humbled under the mighty hand of God, and to tremble at the ap­prehensions of his Judgments, because Men keep not Gods Law. God's dealings with particular Persons in this Life, ar [...] so chequer'd and intermixt with variety of good and bad Events, that tho they point out a Judgment to come, becaus [...] they give no clear indication of an im­partial Justice distributed here, whi [...] [Page 13] the Judge of all the Earth, who cannot but do right, will at one time or other execute; yet no Man knoweth Love or Hatred by all that is before him: Here God frequently afflicts particular Per­sons for the Probation and Exercise of their Vertues, and the Example of others; and Notorious Sinners oft es­cape their deserved Recompence in this Life, being reserved to the Day of Judg­ment to be punished. But 'tis otherwise as to Nations, and Publick Societies of Men, who, as such, cannot be account­ed with in the World to come (where every man shall receive according to his own Works) and are therefore reward­ed or punished here, according to their National Virtues or Impieties.

So that when a Kingdom or Country continne to do wickedly, we have abun­dance of reason to conclude, that the Providence of God will promote the Misery and Unhappiness of such a Peo­ple, and manifest it self, sooner or later, in severe and remarkable Judgments up­on them.

And this is very agreeable to the plain Expressions and Declarations of God's [Page 14] Will, who hath constantly determined to pull down, or build up Nations, according as they persist in, or turn from their Evil Ways; as may be seen at large in the 18th chap. of Jeremiah, or elsewhere.

And indeed in all Ages and Places, his Judgments have succeeded the prevail­ing Wickedness of a Church or Nati­on.

In the very Infancy of the World, when the wickedness of man was great, and all flesh had corrupted his way upon earth, God sent an universal Flood of Waters, to sweep and wash away its polluted Inhabitants, Gen. 6. 5, 12.

When the Cry of the Sins of Sodom, which were very grievous, came up be­fore God, he quench'd the Flames of their unnatural Lusts, by showring down Flames of Fire and Brimstone from Heaven to destroy them, Gen. 19. 13, 24.

And when the Wickedness of the Amorites was full, what a Series of ter­rible Devastations succeeded for their Extirpation?

But why should I multiply Examples, to prove that which the Records of all Nations, so demonstratively confirm to us?

To omit all others, our own History will readily instruct us, how oft our Land has chang'd her Inhabitants, and certainly for the wickedness thereof. Even in our own Memory, we have had Pestilence, and Fire and Sword amongst us; and we have lately been engaged abroad in a Tedious and Expensive War, which yet, blessed be God, is brought to an Happy Conclusion, by an Honou­rable Peace.

And adored be that Goodness, which has not of late inflicted a Famine upon us to com­pleatEzek. 14. 21. his Four sore Judg­ments. For surely we cannot be so cre­dulous, as to believe, that any thing withholds him from the Infliction of that, or the severer repetition of his other Judgments; but his long-suffer­ing Goodness, design'd to lead us to Re­pentance. For our Sins are so great, that I fear, we may vie with any Nation in the World: Good Heathens wou'd [Page 16] blush at those Impieties (tho but to see them acted by others) which they who call themselves Christians, and shelter themselves under the Name of Prote­stant, dare commit before all Israel, and the Sun. Drunkenness, Whoredom and Swearing are reckoned but puny, trivial, Modish Sins: We are advanced to Crimes of a deeper Dye, to Cursings and Blasphemies, and a slat Denial, not only of the Revelation of God's Will, but even of that Invincible Power, that Inflexi­ble Justice that made us, and can de­stroy us in a Moment.

And shall not God visit for these things? shall not his Soul be avenged on such a Nation as this? Jer. 5. 9.

This is what we have all reason to fear, and to be humbled for, notwith­standing our present Peace and Securi­ty, least, even whilst we cry, Peace! Peace! sudden Destruction should overtake us.

I know 'tis an unpleasant, thankless Office to forbode Evil to a Man's Na­tive Country; Nor am I fond of Pre­dictions from Vulgar Prodigies, which mightily alarum the Common People [Page 17] Yet I may be bold to affirm, (with a Learned Man of our own Dr. Spen­cer of Prodi­gies, &c. Sect. 6. p. 116.) That when such Prodigies, ‘As Monsters of Vices and Opinions do generally ob­tain in a State. When the old Man of Sin is grown too big for the gir­dle of Shame or Fear, and the Hand of Publick Justice neglects to rub off that Rust, which is growing upon the Iron Age, then it may be quickly expected that God should do his own Work himself, assert his own Righteousness, by throwing such a People into the Fire of some terrible Judgment, to refine and purifie it.’ Then (in the Language of the Psal­mist) 'tis Time for God to lay to his Hand, when Men have destroyed his Law, Psalm 119. 126.

This, I say, is what all good Men have Cause to be apprehensive of, from the abused Patience and Long-suffering of God.

And yet amidst our Fears, we may not cease to Hope, that the many good Souls who stand in the Gap to ward off the Blow, by their devout Prayers and [Page 18] Intercessions: whose Eyes, in David's Language, Run down with Water, be­cause Men keep not Gods Law; that the Pious Resolution of His Majesty, effe­ctually to discourage Prophaneness and Immorality, with what He and our Se­nators have excellently done to that Pur­pose; together with the hearty Endea­vours of some in almost every Rank, and Order of Men amongst us; in whom at this Time there appears a great Propensity and Disposition, to put a stop to that Inundation of Wic­kedness, which threatens a Deluge to our Destruction: Will, by their United Force, yet prevail with God to be fa­vourable to his Land (so oft preserv'd and rescu'd by the Miracles of his Mer­cy) and to Pity his People.

And O that the Concurrence of these! joyn'd with a Divine Blessing and Co­operation, may at length effectually prevail; ‘To set bounds to our Er­rors, by Truth, to our overflowing Impieties by an universal Reformati­on of Manners, and to our Unhap­py Divisions’ (which are such a Pastime to Popery) ‘by that real and [Page 19] unfeigned Charity, which may teach us to maintain the Unity of the Spi­rit, in the Bond of Peace.’ But this suggests the

3. Particular, which is to shew, what Effects the Sorrow and Humiliation of all good Men, especially of those in Stations of Eminence and Authority, because Men keep not Gods Law, ought to have upon them.

And we cannot give a better account of this Matter in Reference to those last mentioned, then by considering what the Psalmists Practise was in the like Case: For if we can plainly discover what Effects Davids Grief and Humili­ation, because of the Wicked that for­sook Gods Law, had upon him; we may conclude, that the same Cause ought to have the same Effect upon eve­ry good Man, especially upon those in Authority, according to their Power and Capacity in their several Stations.

Now, what David's Resolution upon the Melancholy Apprehensions he had from the Consederacy of Wicked Men, that kept not Gods Law, was, we find in several Places of his Psalms, but no [Page 20] where better then in the 101. Psalm, where he fixes his Pious Purpose, first how to Govern himself, and then his Court and Kingdom, and that with so much Justice: That the good and vir­tuous might ever expect all possible fa­vour from him; but that he would as constantly discountenance, discourage and punish evil doers of all sorts, ac­cording to their Demerits: and thus he concludes that Psalm, I will early destroy all the Wicked of the Land, that I may cut off all wicked doers from the City of the Lord: ‘i. e. Assoon as ever I am peaceably setled on my Throne, I will useDr. Hammond in Locum. my utmost Diligence to reform the whole Nation, especial­ly Jerusalem, the Place of Gods Pe­culiar Residence, which ought to be an Example to the rest of the King­dom, taking Care that all Offenders be severely punished in the Courts of Judicature, and if there be no other remedy, cutting off those Putrid Mem­bers, that will otherwise endanger the Infection of the whole Body, having got incurable Habits of committing [Page 21] Wickedness.’ And this Effect the Sar­row and Humiliation of all good Magi­strates for the overflowing Impiety of the Nation, will have upon them, viz. To quicken them in their several Pla­ces to punish Wickedness and Vice, to defend the Truth, and execute Ju­stice. They consider that 'tis from our loud Sins, and crying Provocations that our Publick Calamities do proceed, and that for these the heavy displeasure of God is kindled against us, and will, we know not how speedily be execu­ted upon us: And this will plainly sug­gest to them, that they ought not to permit the Sword of Justice to Rust and Canker in the Scabbard, but by pru­dently drawing it, to protect the Inno­cent, and punish the Guilty. To do which by the Direction of our excellent Laws, without Fear or Favour, Inte­rest or Partiality, is the wisest Course an honest Magistrate can take, to secure either a good Conscience towards God, or a good Reputation among Men; for he that Acts thus, can scarce possibly procure any Enemies but the Lawless and Disobedient, whose Favour is as [Page 22] insignificant as their Anger; for as his Sword (which in the Execution of Justice is guided by the Hand of Hea­ven, the Judgment being Gods) usu­ally secures him from the latter; so his Integrity Seals up his Ears, and fortifies his Heart, against the flatteries and sor­did Insinuations of the other.

'Tis an Observation confirm'd by Ex­perience, that no Nation in the World is so Jealous of those Laws, which re­late to the Liberty and Property of the Subject, as the English; and most Men think with good Reason, since Begga­ry and Slavery are things very unagree­able to humane Nature: But then, why shou'd we not be equally Jealous for the Honour of those Laws, in the strict Observation whereof, the Glory of God, the Interest of Religion, the Prosperity of the Nation, and the Fe­licity of so many thousand Souls, are concerned?

For shame, let us never more tamely suffer Wickedness to gain not only Strength, but Impudence, and I had al­most said Reputation too; by our cow­ardliness and pusilinimity.

But let us all joyn our Heads, our Hearts and Hands, to disgrace and dash out of Countenance, the daring Efforts, the outragious Sallies of Prophaneness and Immorality, that Drunkenness may no longer dare to stagger in our Streets, nor loud Oaths be belch'd in our Faces as we go along; that Men may no longer be permitted to Boast, much less act their bestial Sins like Sodom, nor such leud Places of Entertainment any more be suffer'd in the Land: That Vi­olence be no more heard in our Streets, that our Officers may be Peace, and our Exacters, Righteousness; that the Fury of the Oppressour, which is ever ready to destroy, may be broken; and that we may no longer hear the Cry of the Widdow, the Fatherless, or others op­pressed amongst us.

This is what all good Men Pray, and Wish, and Hope for at this favou­rable Juncture; and which we all ought vigorously to endeavour in our several Stations and Capacities. And the rather, because to do this, we have the fairest Incouragement, the greatest Obligations imaginable: Which [Page 24] is the last Part of my present Underta­king. I say, to engage our most vigo­rous Endeavours to promote and carry on a Happy Reformation of Manners, we have the fairest Incouragement, the most indispensible Obligations imagi­nable.

1. And first, for our Incouragement, Let us consider, that God is on our side; this is his own Cause, for which he has often and signally appear'd by the remarkable Judgments which in all Ages he has Executed upon desperately wicked Sinners; especially when Hand joyns in Hand, and the Multitude o [...] Offenders seems to plead for the Impu­nity of their Offences, then he will no [...] suffer the Wicked to go unpunished.

I am sensible, we want not Instance of those, who have given the Nam [...] of a good Cause, to very vile Actions▪ and who, the better to cheat People in to a Concurrence with them in the [...] riotous and disorderly Attempts, fo [...] the Reformation of Religion, as the [...] pretended; have cloath'd their gro [...] Immoralities, Treasons and Rebellions in the sanctified Livery, of the Cause o [...] God, and Religion.

But though from the very bottom of our Hearts, we detest and abhor such impious Pretences and Practises; yet surely no Man can doubt, Whether a Work so just in its Design, and so ho­nourable and advantageous in its End, as to endeavour according to the Laws of God and Man, to put a stop to the overflowing Wickedness of a Nation, to give a check to those Hellish Principles and Practises, by which God is daily dis­honour'd, Truth and Justice perverted, Religion and Piety exposed, the Pros­perity of the Nation obstructed, and Multitudes of Souls endanger'd, be his Cause, and Work, or no? I am sure the Psalmist calls it Gods Cause, Psalm 74. 23. Arise O God! maintain thine own Cause; remember how the foolish Man blasphemeth thee daily.

And if we will still hear his glorious Name blasphem'd, and all things sacred, honest or of good Report trampled on, and we stand by as unconcern'd Spectators; we may expect that God will not, like us, Desert, but main­tain his own Cause, take the Matter in­to his own Hand; and because we [Page 26] would not help to reclaim the Wicked from their Way, thereby to hinder their Misery and Destruction; involve us likewise in the same inevitable Ru­ine with them.

To prevent which, and if possible to engage us further, to carry on the ne­cessary Work of reforming the pro­phaneness and debauchery of the Age in our Stations, and according to our Capacities; Let us consider

2. That the Laws both of God and Man, as well as the Countenance and Encouragement of our Legislators are on our side, to strengthen our Hearts and Hands in this worthy and generous Undertaking.

We usually say, that ill Manners pro­cure good Laws, which has been as fully verified in this Nation, I believe, as in any Country under the Canopy of Heaven: But then, 'tis very odd, though obvious to Remark, that the prophane and dissolute of this Age and Climate, have strongly attempted to invert the Maxime, by being guilty of the most profligate Manners, in defi­ance of the most excellent Laws both [Page 27] of God and Man. This is a Reproach upon us, which we ought to endeavour by all possible lawful Means to wipe off for the future, that the boldness of of­fenders may no longer offer such avow­ed affronts to the Laws of Heaven and Earth; that our prudently-contriv'd English Laws, may no farther be scanda­lized for Cobwebs, which catch the little Flies, the diminitive Sinners only, but suffer the great and bold Transgres­sors to break thorough.

To prevent which, our Magistrates have power enough from the Laws of the Land, and an encouragement suffi­cient from the Laws of God, and Obli­gation from both; for both Reason and Revelation tell us, that they are consti­tuted by God, for the punishment of Evil-Doers, and for the praise of them that do well; and assure us, that wick­ed Men ought to be afraid of Magi­strates, because they bear not the Sword in vain, but are Ministers of God, Re­vengers to execute Wrath upon them that do evil.

These are the only proper Expe [...] ents to reform or punish those, [...] [Page 28] neither Advice nor Argument, neither Admonition, nor Fraternal Correption, much less the despised Censures of the Church, or any of gentler Methods, can reclaim; for when Sinners grow hard and impudent, when they have put on the Whores Forehead, and the Brow of Brass, and scorn the weightiest Reproof, and consequently nothing can hinder either the ill influence of their Example, or put a Stop to the Current of those Judgments, which their outragious Impieties will otherwise pull down upon us, but the strict Exe­cution of our Laws: In this Case, not only those in Authority are concerned, but also every Man who hath any re­gard for the Honour of GOD, the Welfare of his Brother, or the Happi­ness of the Nation, ought, according to the Design of the Law, and the Reason of the Thing it self, to inform the Magistrate of those Enormous Of­fendors and Offences which come to his knowledge, that they might be brought to Condign Punishment.

And this, I take to be the Princi­pal Design of those Societies for the Reformation of Manners, which are al­ready Form'd in divers Parts of this Kingdom, as well as in this Place.

And I crave your Patience, whilst I speak a little to this Subject, either for the Prevention or Cure of Mistake or Prejudice.

And that I may be more succint and Methodical, I will digest what I have to say upon it, under the following Heads of Consideration, very briefly.

I. I will suppose the Legality of these Societies, i. e. their Agreeableness to the Constitution of the English Go­vernment, as Established, in Church and State.

II. I'll take Notice of the Advantages that such SOCIETIES have, above the Power of Single Persons, to give a Cheque to the Combined Force of prevailing wickedness.

III. I will consider how they ought to be qualified, who enter into, or are admitted Members of such Societies, And

[Page 30]IV. I will observe, That to render their Design (The Suppression of Im­morality and Wickedness, according to the Laws) successful, they ought to act with great Piety and Prudence.

I. I shall suppose the Legality of these SOCIETIES, i. e. Their agreeableness to the Constitution of the English Government, as Established in Church and State.

This I do not Undertake from any extraordinary Skill I pretend to have in our English Laws and Govern­ment, which is none of my Pro­vince; But from that Countenance and Encouragement which is given to a late Excellent Account of these Socie­ties An Account of the Societies for Reformati­on of Manners. 1699. ▪ by the concurrent Suffrages of a Considera­ble Number of Lords Spi­ritual and Temporal, and a Majority of our Reverend Sages of the Law; who Unanimously Declare, That the Design of that Good Book (the Prin­cipal Scope of which is to Recom­mend and Promote these Societies)▪ [Page 31] is truly Great and Noble; so much for the Honour of GOD, the Ad­vancement of Piety and Vertue, and the Publick Good both of Church and State, that in their Opinion, it cannot fail of being approved of by all Good Men: And since (by so great a Cloud of Witnesses of Unquestionable Skill and Ability in our Laws) it tends to the Publick Good both of Church and State; it must needs be agreeable to the Constitution of our Govern­ment in both. And besides, their De­claration of the Legality of this De­sign, they most humbly and heartily pray, That Pious Men of all Ranks and Qualities, may be Excited by that Good Book, to contribute in their re­spective Places and Stations, their best Endeavours towards a National Re­formation of Manners.

But so much, I hope, will suffice for a foundation of my Supposition, That these Societies are agreeable to the Esta­blished Constitution of our English Go­vernment.

II. I am next to take Notice of, The Advantage these Societies have above the Power of Single Persons, to give a Cheque to the Combined Force of prevailing Wick­edness.

'Tis true, The Reformation of Mens Manners, or but to endeavour to make the World better, is a Work so necessa­ry and truly Excellent, that one wou'd think it impossible that such a Design should meet with any other Enemies, than such as are likewise Enemies to all Religion and Vertue: But▪ then it must likewise be considered, That the Enemies of Religion are very Nume­rous, and 'tis their daily Work, to Unite for the strengthen­ingPsalm▪ 64. 5, 6. of their Party, They encourage themselves in an evil matter (in the Language of the Psalmist) and search out iniquities.

The Devils, who are the Grand Abet­tors and Promoters of all Wickedness, act in Combination; they are Unani­mous in their Counsels and Endea­vours for the Ruine of Mankind; for if Satan St. Luke 11. 18. were divided against Sa­tan, [Page 33] as our Saviour argues, how cou'd his Kingdom of Darkness stand?

In like manner, Vice promotes its Empire, and makes its Advances, by the United Force and Confederacy of wicked Men.

And therefore 'tis highly fit and rea­sonable, That Good Men should Com­bine tog [...]ther to countermine the De­signs, and to discover and defeat the wicked Policies of the Enemies of Gods Kingdom. And humanely speak­ing, there is no other way to take the Field against them, than by setting Ar­my in array against Army.

Wicked Men keep then [...] Credit by their Numbers, a [...] [...] likely, they shou'd be dash'd [...] out of Countenance, till they see and are convinc'd, that they that are against them, are more than they that are with them.

And if ever we hope, with any Suc­cess, to encounter the Combined Strength of the Men that work wickedness, we must animate and encourage one ano­ther to the Work; and it will be­come every Good Man, especially those [Page 34] in Authority to ask David's Question, Who will rise up wit [...] me against the wicked? Psal 94. 16. or, Who will take my part against the Evil-doers.

And if we thus Unite our Forces to the Combat, we need not despair of Victory and Success; For they come against us, as Goliah did1 Sam. 17. 45. against David, with a Sword, and with a Spear, and with a Shield; with Carnal Wea­pons, with the Wisdom and Policy that is earthly, sensual, devilish; for their Chieftain is, The Prince of the Power of Darkness; but we come a­gainst them, In the Name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel whom they Defie; and we may be well assured, That by strength shall no man prevail against God, and that No Weapon form'd against Omnipoience shall prosper.

III. I will consider, How they ought to be qualified, who enter into, or are admitted Members of these Societies; for every Man is not fit for this Work: What the Apostle says of a Bishop, [Page 35] That he must be one that ruleth well his own house, for if a man know not how to rule his 1 Tim. 3. 4. own house, how shall he take care of the Church of God? is very ap­plicable to the matter in hand: He that is Intemperate, or Lewd, or Quar­relsome, or in short, careless of his own Manners, is very unfit to Reform the irregular Conversations of other persons.

He that complains of the Faults of others, ought to be exceeding careful, that he himself be innocent.

He that accuseth another of any wickedness, shou'd first narrowly look into himself, lest the Person whom he impeaches, do recriminate, and just­ly retort upon him that Proverb, Phy­sician heal thy self.

He is not a Competent Judge, nor a proper Reformer of anothers Crime, who is guilty of the like or greater him­self.

Thus for Instance, tho a Drunkard be a Person very fit to be reformed, yet he who is known to be guilty of Trick or Knavery in Commerce, and [Page 36] the way of Dealing, is no proper Refor­mer of him.

For as the Example is ridiculous when Vice corrects Sin; so he does but make wider Wounds and Gashes in his own Mind; who whilst he pre­tends to Reform others, his own Con­science flies in his Face, and tells him, as Nathan did David, Thou art the Man.

Our Business then in this Affair i [...], to throw the First Stone at our selves, and to be far more severe in judging our selves than in Reforming others; and to pull the heams out of our own eyes, before we pretend to take motes out of our Brother's; and especially to Reform our Inward Man, our Hearts and Affections (which are not cogni­zable by any Magistrate or Society) before we engage in the weighty Work of an outward Reformation, lest we fall under the Character of Hypocrites and Unbelievers, and have our portion with them.

Let us then he strictly careful to make our light shine before others; for this i [...] one excellent Method of reclaiming [Page 37] Sinners, to do it by our Exemplary and unreprovable Conversations.

And therefore, in short, they who enter into, or are admitted Members of any Society for the Reformations of other mens Manners, ought them­selves to be Persons of Excellent Tem­per, of Strict Virtue, of Exemplary Lives, and un-blemished Reputations; this will give Credit and Authority to what they do, and make the So­ciety which they compose, more use­ful to the Ends of its Institution; but this falls within the compass of the next particular.

IV. That to render the Designs of these Societies (the Suppression of Im­morality and Wickedness, according to the Laws) successful, they ought to act with great Piety and Prudence.

The Apostle gives a very excellent and comprehensive Rule for Chri­stians to walk by: Let all your things be done 1 Cor. 16. 14 with Charity; and if all our Affairs, even of lesser Moment, ought to be transacted with a respect [Page 38] had to Charity, which is the great Gospel Duty, and Bond of Christian Perfection; then we ought much more to act by this Rule, when we do any thing in order to our Neighbour's Re­formation, wherein the Welfare of his Soul is so nearly concerned.

And therefore, I say, to render their Attempts of this Nature success­ful, these Societies ought to act with great Piety and Prudence; the former will secure their Charity, and the lat­ter will temper and guide their Zeal.

1. Charity will not allow Men to divulge and make those Faul [...]s pub­lick, which were committed in private; for Charity, which teaches us to co­ver a Multitude of Sins, will not per­mit or warrant us causelesly to blaze abroad any, and therefore he that i [...] a loud Trumpeter, can never be a Cha­ritable Reformer of his Neighbour's Faults. Solomon's Direction, in this Case, is excellent, Debate the Cause with thy Brother himself▪ and discover not a secre [...] Prov. 25. 9. to another. And our Sa­viour's [Page 39] Rule is, Tell thy Brother his faults between thee and him alone: and if he hear thee, thou hast gained thy Brother: which although it chiefly relate to private Trespasses, yet may frequently be extended to the Case in hand. For Charity believeth all things, and hopeth all things, as the Apostle tells us, i. e. makes Men readily dis­posed to believe and hope the best; and where there is not apparent Rea­son and Evidence to the contrary, it inclines Men to believe all the Good of others, which they have the least Ground-work for; and consequently, to hope that those faults which they see them commit, were done through inadvertency, or by surprize, or out of weakness, and not from a Principle of wilfulness, or habitual Custom.

And indeed, our Designs to Reform Men from their vicious Courses, should be so managed, that in probability they may be made better, not worse by [...]our Endeavours.

In which Case, a private Monition, [...]naged with Discretion and Charity, [...] much more likely to reclaim them▪ [Page 40] than to spread abroad their Faults to their Disparagement; but when the Fault is publick, and cannot be hid, but has given Scandal to the Church, and ill Example to others, then it ought to be more severely remarkt upon by those who have Publick Characters, and are vested with Authority so to do.

There is a Contagion in Wicked­ness, and one ill Example, when Pub­lick, may infect many others; in which case, every Man, who has any Con­cern for God's Glory, his Brother's Happiness, or the Publick Tranquili­ty, ought to do, what he lawfully can, to put a stop to the growth o [...] bold and Bare-fac'd Impieties, that th [...] Actors of them may be brought to con­dign Punishment.

2. Whether our Neighbour's Faul [...] be publick or private, Charity will oblige us to be careful, not to attemp [...] his Reformation out of Malice, Hatred or Ill will; otherwise, instead [...] discharging a Necessary Duty, we commit a great Sin our selves, and ta [...] an in-effectual Method to Reform [...] thers. [Page 41] But our great Aim should be, to render the Crime, not the Offendor ridiculous, much less to insult over him when he is fallen, considering that we our selves are men of like passions, and equally liable to be tempted; but our scope and intention shou'd be to beat down the strong holds of Sin and Satan, to pluck our Brother out of the Snare of the Devil, to discourage Vice, to re­form his Manners, and thereby advance God's Kingdom and Glory.

And if we sincerely intend these Ge­nerous Ends, we shall do nothing thro' Strife or Vainglory. And therefore in the management of this important Du­ty, as we ought to express a just Detest­ation of the Sin, so we must give all pos­sible Evidence of a sincere Charity to the offending Person; And that this chiefly was the Motive of the Undertaking, that whilst we launce the Wound, it may be apparent, that it is in order to the Cure of the Patient.

And as a Pious Regard to the Glory of God, and our Neighbour's Welfare, will secure Charity: So

2. Prudence will temper and guide [Page 42] Mens Zeal in their Charitable Endea­vours to reform others.

Zeal, is one of those things of an in­different Nature, neither Good nor Bad in it self, but may be either, according to the End or Object to which it is di­rected.

And as that Zeal which is fix'd upon proper Objects, preserv'd within its due Limits, and levell'd at good Ends, is highly serviceable to the Noblest Pur­poses of Religion: So a Mistake in these Qualifications, or a pretence to them, when nothing less is intended, has been, and may prove of the most perni­cious Consequence to the Peace and Tranquility of Church and State, as this Nation has formerly found by woful Experience.

And for this Reason we ought ever to suffer Prudence to conduct our Zeal, to render it useful to the best Purposes, God's Glory, our Neighbour's Good, and our own Eternal Felicity: And if these excellent Ends be our ultimate De­sign, we shall be more zealous to amend our own faults, than either to pry into the Manners of others, or to make our [Page 43] selves over-busei in reforming them▪ beyond our proper Sphere and Sta­tion.

However, this will make us infi­nitely careful in the first place, to re­form our selves, that by the Strictness of our Vertue, and the Exemplarity of our Lives, we may be instrumental to reform others; and if the unaltera­ble Obstinacy of Sinners, render this ineffectual, we may then, after our pri­vate Endeavours, warrantably inform the Magistrate of those scandalous Criminals that come to our Cognizance, that their Deeds may receive a deserved Retribution.

And to do this heartily, and impar­tially, as we have the noblest Encou­ragement, so we have the most indi­spensible Obligations imaginable; which is the last thing I have to offer, and so I shall conclude.

And indeed, if we set aside all other Considerations, yet the Argument of Gratitude to God, for the many sig­nal Mercies and Deliverances he has of late Mercies and Deliverances he has of late wrought for us, will engage us to [Page 44] use all possible Care, that we provoke him not again, to inflict heavier Judg­ments upon us; will warn us to sin no more presumptuously, least a worse thing come unto us.

I must confess, it does not always follow, that a People are therefore re­form'd and reconciled to God, because he restores Peace within their Walk, and Plenteousness within their Palaces; because he gives them Beauty for Ashes, because he turns their Captivity as the Rivers in the South, removes his Judg­ments, and pours his Temporal Bles­sings upon them. No, he often does this to try, whether those whom his Judgments would not awaken and a­mend, who grew hard under the Strokes of his Displeasure, may not be softned▪ and melted into Repentance, by the Beams of his restored Mercy, and Lo­ving-kindness: And if this fail, they have Reason to believe, that it is the last Overture which God intends to ma [...] them for their Reformation.

God has done Great Things for [...] already, whereof we rejoyce; an [...] since his Judgments could not, his [Page 45] Goodness is more mercifully design'd to lead us to Repentance, and Amend­ment.

But if neither the sharper, nor the gentler Methods can reclaim us; if we will yet sin presumptuously, and those who have Authority to repress and pu­nish, will yet suffer Sin to swagger, and be insolent; or those who can, and ought, will not inform the Magistrate, that the Impious may receive their de­served Punishment: In this Case we may expect, that God should assert his own injur'd Authority, by cutting us off from being a People, as he once did that ungovernable Nation the Jews; and make us a Proverb of Reproach, and a hissing to all the Countries that are round about us. In fine, which is the greatest of all Infelicities on this side Hell, that he should for ever deprive us of the blessed Light of the Gospel, and give it to a Nation, that will bring forth the much better Fruits of it.

And there is but one way in the World to avoid that dismal Catastro­phe, and to secure the Blessing of Peace we now enjoy, with all its happy Effects, [Page 46] to us, and our Posterity; which is, to become a Vertuous and Religious Peo­ple. And to effect this, let us all pray, and endeavour in our several Stations, and as we have Opportunities and Ca­pacities, that Vertue and Goodness may daily gain ground and flourish, and all Wickedness and Vice may sneak, and look out of Countenance, 'till, like a guilty Shade, it dwindle and vanish a­way.

And now what remains, but that we should all stedfastly resolve this Day, to follow aster those things which make for the Continuance of our Peace, and which so visibly conduce to promote our Temporal and Eternal Interest.

This is the way to shew our selves good Christians, good Subjects, and such as are really concern'd for the Welfare of our Native Country, and most Holy Religion.

This, if we do, God will then go on to strengthen and stablish what he has wrought for us, and will make our late Mercies and Deliverances, Pledges of our greater future Happiness.

The good God make us all so wise, as to mind the Things which belong to the Temporal Peace and Prosperity of the Nation, and the Eternal Happiness and Salvation of every one of our Souls, before they be hidden from our Eyes: Which he of his infinite Mercy grant, for Jesus Christ's sake: To whom, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, Three Persons, and One God, be given of us, all Angels, all Men, and all Creatures, all possible Honour and Glory, Praise, and Thanksgiving, Fear, Adoration, and Obedience, now, and for ever­more.

Amen.