THOUGH there are large Complaints against the Debau­chery of the present Age; yet, blessed be God, Wick­edness is so far from being established by a Law, that the strictest Legal Methods are employed to restrain it.

His Majesty doth not on­ly discountenance Vice, by the virtuous Example of his own Sacred Person, but also by his Authority, in the Letters, Proclamations, and repeated Orders, issued thereupon. But, Quid Leges sine Moribus?— The best constituted Laws will be of no use without a due Exe­cution.

If the Penalties of our Laws, through the Cowar­dice or Contrivance of In­ferior Magistrates, shall not be inflicted; Offenders will soon be insolent, but never reformed.

This very Consideration hath awakened the Zeal of [Page 5]many Pious Persons; Who out of a due sense of their Duty to God and their Country, are designing a Method to reform these Abuses.

The Undertaking of these worthy Gentlemen is explained and vindicated by a much abler Pen. Those who are ignorant of the Design, may please to con­sult a late Tract with this Title: An Account of the Societies for Reformation of Manners in LONDON and WESTMINSTER, &c. Pub­lished with the Approbati­on of a considerable Num­ber of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Honou­rable [Page 6] Judges. Printed for B. Aylmer.

I shall not enlarge in commendation of so gene­rous a Work. But shall leave that satisfaction to God and their own Consci­ences. Amidst all those checks and discourage­ments which they meet with in a degenerate Age, may they still be supported with this Testimony of their Consciences, That in simplicity and godly sincerity they have had their conver­sation in the world. And may all their toilsome La­bours in the Cause of God and Religion, be finally re­warded in the pronoun­cing [Page 7]of that Blessed Sen­tence, Well done, good and faithful servant; —enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

And that they may not fail of this Blessed Reward in the next World (though they must expect their share of Troubles in this) I shall with a faithful plainness mind them of their Duty in these four In­stances. 1. Innocency. 2. In­dustry. 3. Courage. 4. Cau­tion.

1. Innocency. By which word I only denote, A Freedom from those Vices which they reprove in others.

For he who is guilty of those Crimes which he pretends to correct, doth inevitably expose both his Person and his Cause. It being a noted Observa­tion, That the Reproofs of a Guilty Man are both Undecent and In­effectual.

First, It is very Ʋndecent that Vice should correct Sin. And when those who are tardy themselves, will pre­sume to be medling, there are Proverbs against such Reformers, and very severe ones. The Expostulation of St. Paul is sharp and pungent, Thou therefore [Page 9]which teacheth another, teachest thou not thy self? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? And so in any other in­stance as the Case may re­quire.

But such Reproofs are not only Ʋndecent, but al­so for the most part,

2. Ineffectual. And are so far from being regarded, or making any Impression in order to amendment, that they only exasperate and gall their guilt. For Man is naturally a proud Creature; and as such is most impatient of Con­tradiction and Reproof. [Page 10]Those who are unable to vindicate themselves, will recriminate their Accusers. And if they can but find the least suspicion of Guilt, they will not spare them; but will contrive to expose them, with as much scorn and contempt as rage and malice can suggest.

And in this the Devil, that great Accuser of the Brethren, will not fail to assist them. For that roar­ing Lyon, who walketh about seeking whom he may devour, is most inveterate and out­ragious against those pious good Men, those lovers of Souls, who are active and industrious to pluck the [Page 11]Prey out of his Teeth. And if by all his ensnaring Arts and Temptations he can so far prevail over the Weak­ness of Human Nature, as to make them guilty of some scandalous Practice; he will then triumph in their Fall: And having thus exposed them to Publick Censure, he will quench and divert their former Zeal, and make them use­less to the World.

Be not therefore confi­dent of your own Strength. Be not high-minded, but fear. And let it be your daily Prayer to the God of all Grace, to make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle [Page 12]you, 1 Pet. 5.10. That ye may be blameless and harm­less, the sons of God with­out rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse Na­tion, among whom ye shine as lights in the world, Phil. 2.15.

Another Instance I will take the freedom to re­mind you of is,

2. Industry. You cannot but be sensible that there is a toil and fatigue in your present Undertaking: And it will cost some Pains and Drudging to perfect your Design. And therefore 'tis prudence to sit down at the first, and count the Cost. To consider, how far you [Page 13]are inclined to deny your selves for the sake of God and your Duty. Whether you are contented to part with your Ease and your Pleasure; and perhaps in some instance, your Profit also for the benefit of others.

But I will not enforce this Topick any further. For I do not suspect your Sincerity in the Case. I know you are truly sensi­ble, that we are not born to enjoy our selves, by gra­tifying our sensual Inclina­tions; but that we are ob­liged to govern our Passi­ons and Appetites by Rea­son, and then to be active [Page 14]and diligent for the benefit of others. To be willing on all occasions to do what good we can; and accord­ing to our Power and Ca­pacity to be useful to the World. For this Life is on­ly a State of Probation and Trial, in order to the next. And for your encourage­ment, let me remind you, That they who have done the greatest Service to God in this World, and impro­ved their Time and Talents to the best advantage, and have done the most good to Mankind; such Persons are qualified for the great­est Rewards, for the richest and brightest Crowns.

Imitate therefore your Blessed Saviour, who went about doing good: And with unwearied diligence solli­cited the Reformation of the most obstinate Sinners. And though the World may hate and malign, cen­sure and oppose you, as a sort of over-busie pragma­tical People; Yet be of good comfort, our B. Savi­our he hath overcome the world. Consider him who en­dured so many Affronts, and so much contradiction of Sinners against himself, lest you be weary and faint in your minds. Which brings me to my Third Instance or Qualification,

3. Courage. By which I denote, A firmness and re­solution of mind, not to be daunted with any Opposition. The which Heroic Temper is little less than necessary in the present Case. For be assured, the Devil and his Instruments will be ve­ry active and sollicitous to baffle your Design, and to make it abortive. Be not you therefore wanting in a decent briskness to coun­termine and supplant them. And though you may some­times meet with unseason­able Rebukes, and may be clouded with the frowns of Debauched Greatness; yet fear not the Face of Men; [Page 17] For greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. You have not only the Authority of his Maje­sty, and the Laws on your side; But, which is far more encouraging, the Power and Providence of God to support you. And if God be for you, who can be against you?

However, since Zeal is an active Principle, and like Fire, is very destru­ctive when it exceeds its Bounds; that Yours may be regular, and governed by Prudence, I shall pro­ceed to my Fourth Particu­lar, viz.

4. Caution. Which I will take the freedom to com­mend to you in these fol­lowing Instances.

1. Avoid Popularity. Do not value your Selves upon the Character of Reform­ers. Such a Conce [...] may not only degenerate into Spiritual Pride, and as such be destructive to your own Souls; but also will [...]pose you to the Observation of Detractors, who will en­viously remark, not only your most innocent Acti­ons, but also your very Looks and Gestures; where­by if they do not divert you from your Design, and [Page 19]tempt you to follow a multi­tude to do evil; they will at least be very trouble­some and uneasie to you.

In Publick Conversation therefore, and in promiscu­ous Company (unless you have the Ascendant, and can by your Authority turn the stream of Discourse as you please) be nor too fre­quent in your Complaints; or in making observations on the wickedness of o­thers. For all Truths are not to be spoken at all Times, nor in all Compa­nies. Cast not Pearls before Swine, was the Admonition of our B. Saviour; and is a full proof of what I now [Page 20]suggest. Intimating; That there are Seasons when the greatest Offenders are not to be reproved; but must be let alone till a more fa­vourable Juncture.

2. Avoid Affectation in your Language, or in your Looks. Do not study a Shibboleth, or a set of af­fected Phrases. Be man­ly in your Conversation. Speak and look like Men. And by such Masculine and acceptable Behaviour, cut off occasion from those who desire occasion against you.

3. Be Moderate in your Proceedings. Be not rash and violent in your Me­thods of Reformation. Be [Page 21]contented to go on gently, and by degrees: And ac­cording to our blunt Pro­verb, Drive the Nail as it will go. Be not discouraged, though you cannot instant­ly amend all that is amiss. To correct Abuses is a Work of Time and Pa­tience. Do what Good you can at present; and silent­ly bewail what you cannot yet amend. And then be assured, that God who knows our weakness, and the Difficulties you strug­gle with, will graciously accept the Will for the Deed.

4. Be Ʋnanimous. Let not Difference in Opinion dis­order [Page 22]your Proceedings.

Churchmen and Dissenters (as for distinction-sake I am forced to call them) do both honestly join in this good Work.

It were indeed heartily to be wished, that these di­stinguishing Names were utterly abolished: That all Protestants were perfectly united. And O that such an Expedient could be found as might effectually do it. We hope and breath for it. In th' Interim, let not the Devil (who seeks the ruin of you both) make advan­tage of your Divisions. Why may not those who differ in Judgment, be u­nited [Page 23]in Affection? And therefore (to express my self in Military Language) though we are differently Regimented, yet let us all unanimously fight under one General, the Captain of our Salvation, to destroy the Devil's Kingdom. Be strong and of a good Courage. And the God of Peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.

Finally, Brethren, fare­well. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.