A SERMON PREACHED at St. Mary-le-Bow, June 27. 1698. Before the SOCIETIES, FOR Reformation of MANNERS, IN THE City of London and Westminster.  
Published at their Request.  
By THO. JEKILL, D. D. and PREACHER at the New CHURCH, in WESTMINSTER.  
LONDON: Printed by R. and T. Mead, for Ralph Simpson, and Richard Cumberland, at the Harp, and at the Angel, in St. Paul's Churchyard. 1698.   

TO THE SOCIETIES, FOR Reformation of MANNERS, IN THE City of London and Westminster.  
GENTLEMEN,  
ALthough I never had so much Vanity as to incline me to think any thing of mine worthy to be made thus Public, much less so mean a Performance as this; yet having always an earnest Zeal for the Interest of Religion in general, and bearing an hearty Affection to your Pious Undertaking in particular, I have, without any great Difficulty, yielded to your Request of sending this Sermon thus abroad into the World, since you have thereby declared your good Opinion of it, and think that it may be some ways serviceable unto both.  
The Suitableness of the Subject to the Occasion may not perhaps, be so obvious at first sight to every Apprehension; but those that consider the Cause in which you are engaged and know how you have been used, and what Success you have found, will soon perceive how agreeable it is thereto; yea, how necessary also to take off those Objections, and to prevent those Discouragements that have too often appeared, and may yet be made use of against so excellent and glorious a Work, from the many Enemies it will certainly create, and the many Friends it may occasion us to lose: For, tho' the thing may be true as to the former, yet I very much question whether ever it was so as to the latter, (for that Man either never was a true Friend, or deserves no longer to be so accounted or valued, that shall become an Enemy upon such an Occasion as this.) But admit it to be so in both, yet Solomon tells us, that it shall be otherwise at last, provided we do but the Things that Please the Lord now: And therefore, as I know you have been always careful of the one, so I doubt not but you have often experimented the Truth of the other, and so I hope you always will: For I am sure it has been so with me; for which Reason, I have in the Application of this Assertion, to this present Occasion, singled out from my own Experience all those Instances of it, that I have herein given to confirm the Matter of Fact; except the last, and that also I do as firmly believe, and hope to find, as I can do any thing in the World; for I am very sure it must and will be so.  
Enemies, indeed, we have all along had, and great ones too, and so we must expect as long as the Devil has any Interest in the World, and so strong a Party amongst Mankind: But what of all that? W●●e it worse than it is? as long as the great God is for us, we need not care who is against us. What, tho' the Age be vicious, and the Great ones, that should have known and done better, have made it their Business, for Thirty Years together, to corrupt and debauch it? What, tho' the common People rage and rattle against those that endeavour to reclaim them? Yea, what, tho' the Magistrates themselves, who invite us to bring them Information: against the Vices that reign amongst us, and promise their utmost Assistance in the Suppressing of them, should not only underhand, but even openly, and upon the Bench, and in the very Courts of Justice, appear to be the greatest Patrons and Promoters of them; and instead of encouraging those honest Informers, who thus come to them (upon so good an Occasion as this) in the Fear of God, and in Charity to the Souls of Men, by making their Work easy and safe, do all that in them lies, to make it both troublesome and dangerous, and thereby to beat them off from engaging any further therein: All which you and I have seen, and a great deal more too; and can therefore truly say, that the King's Proclamation does them no Wrong, in charging them as it does, with being in a great measure the Occasion of the abounding of so much Impiety and Profaneness amongst us: And what if it should be so still, and those that have in this Cause resisted unto Blood striving against Sin should be again beaten, and wounded at the very Doors of these Magistrates, without Protection or Redress, and meet with nothing upon Complaint but Scoffs and Jeers, as I have known it but too frequently to be? What I say, tho' it should be thus, and a great deal worse; yet you have no Reason to desist, or be discouraged; for that God that has supported you hitherto, and prospered you so exceedingly (as is sufficiently known from the several Accounts that have been given of your Affairs in Print; first by the Right Reverend Bishop of Gloucester, and since by the Reverend Mr. Woodward, and some others) will do the same still, and both continue and enlarge his bountiful Goodness towards you: He knows that what you have done has been for his Name's sake alone; and that not a Man of you, has ever expected, much less desired or received, one Farthing of Profit, by all that you have done; nay that, besides the indefatigable Pains which you have taken therein; you have expended vast Sums of your own, in Carrying on this excellent Work, notwithstanding all the Reproaches that the World has cast upon you, as if you made great Advantages of it to yourselves, and did all for filthy Lucre's sake; for no other Reason, but because the former Governors, as Nehemiah says, Chap. 5.15. used to do so, and made their Servants do the same: But so have not you done; nay, I know you can, and do defy the most inquisitive and implacable Malice to fasten any one Thing of that Nature upon any of you: For, as you have washed your Hands in Innocency as to that, so you are able to compass God's Altar, in the Integrity of your Hearts, as to every thing else that concerns this whole Affair, and can appeal to him to justify you therein.  
There are, I know, many of our Dissenting Brethren, that have engaged in this good Work, as well as you, and have formed themselves into Societies for the Carrying of it on, as you have done, and that very hearty too: But that is rather a Reproach to those of your own Communion than to you, since by their refusing to assist and join with you, they do in a manner force you to seek Assistance elsewhere. Let but these Men that seem to be thus jealous both of you and them, assist in this Pious Undertaking, with that Zeal and Vigour that you have done, and go through with it, as they ought to do, and I dare engage that you, and they too that are thus reproached, will gladly desist, and with Transports of Joy, become Spectators only, and concern yourselves no further in it, unless it be to bless God for them that are willing thus to take it out of your Hands, and to recommend them to his Grace, for all necessary Assistance to prosper so good a Work here, and for an eternal Recompense of Reward suitable to it hereafter; as I now most hearty do all those, that are already engaged in it; being in all sincerity,  
Wesim. June 30. 1698. GENTLEMEN, Your most Affectionate, and Faithful Friend, and Servant, in CHRIST JESUS, THO. JEKILL.   

ADVERTISEMENT.  
THERE is now in the Press, a Treatise, which gives a most exact Account of those just and prudent Measures, whereby the Reformation of Manners amongst us hath been hitherto carried on; with Instructions for the Beginning and Advancing it in other Parts of the Nation; and with many moving Arguments, to excite all Ranks of Men thereunto.  
They will be Sold by Ralph Simpson, at the Harp, in St. Paul's Churchyard; and many other Booksellers.   

PROV. XVI. 7. When a Man's Ways please the Lord, he maketh even his Enemies to be at Peace with him.  
THE Words having no Difficulty in themselves, nor any Dependence upon the Context, will not need any Enquiry, either into their Meaning or Coherence; so that I shall be wholly at Liberty to enter immediately upon that, which I chief intended in the Choice of them, which was to show the Truth and Certainty of what is so positively affirmed in them, and to apply them to the present Occasion: For if the Work of Reforming men's Lives and Manners, and reclaiming them from their Vices, which we are all so desirous to Promote, be one of those Ways that are here Described, and the Issue of it be such as is here Promised; Who is there that does not easily see, what great Encouragement is hereby given to the Using our honest and utmost Endeavours, by all Pious and Prudent Ways to the Carrying of it on, to the best Advantage: Especially when we see how it obviates a grand Objection usually made against this Undertaking, from the many Enemies that it will create us, when we see it so particularly asserted by the Divine Oracles, that it makes even those Enemies to be at Peace with us? In the Handling therefore of these Words; I shall endeavour to do these Two Things:  
I. I shall show that what Solomon here asserts is true.  
II. I shall apply it to this present Occasion.  
1. By showing that this is one of those Ways that Please the Lord. 2. By showing that it will have this Effect. 3. By adding something by way of Direction and Encouragement to the Practice of it, as a Thing most excellent and commendable every way.  
1. I shall show that what Solomon here asserts is true, concerning the Event and Issue of a good Man's Ways, which are so pleasing to the LORD, and that notwithstanding all that may be objected against it, either from those many Texts of Scripture, that seem to contradict it, or from the many Experiences of a whole Cloud of Witnesses, that may be produced against it, even from amongst the Best of Men, that have often found it otherwise, to their Cost and Sorrow; for I am well ware, that a great Deal may be said from both these Heads against what Solomon here asserts; but yet for all that, I hope to make it plainly appear, that this Assertion is true, both by the Arguments that I shall produce to prove it, and from the Answers which I shall give to those Things that may be objected against it. And here, as I shall not go from the Compass of the Text for the one, so neither shall I departed from the plain Current and Tenor of the Scriptures for the other.  
The Proof now of the Truth of this Assertion is plain and easy from the Text itself; and that, 1. If we consider the Person that is here said to do it, the Lord. 2. The Occasion of his interposing and acting in this manner, which is from the Acceptableness of the Thing itself unto him. 3. From the natural Tendency of it to the producing of this Effect.  
1. We may see a sufficient Evidence of the Truth of this Assertion in the Text, from the Person that is here said to do it; For the Wise Man leaves it not to that, which we call Chance or Fortune, nor to the Management of Humane Counsels or Endeavours, but derives it from a much higher Power, and a more certain Original, even from the first and greatest Cause of all; for he tells us, that the Lord himself will do it, He that made and governs all Things in general, and that can create this Blessing in particular; for it is the Lord that gives his People the Blessing of Peace, Psal. 29.11. Now we know,  
1. He can certainly do it, for he has all Things in his Hand that are necessary for it; and works all Ways after the Counsel of his own Will, as the Apostle says, Eph. 1.11. The Wise Man therefore tells us, Prov. 21.1. That the King's Heart is in the Hand of the Lord; and that as the Rivers of Water he turneth it whither soever he will; as the Husbandman, or Gardener in watering of his Ground can so order the Trenches, as to water what part he pleases, either more or less, turning the Stream every way as he has a Mind to it, so can the LORD do by the Heart of the King, inclining it which way soever he thinks fit, and as may best serve the wise and gracious Ends of all his Providential Dispensations: And if he can do this by the King's Heart; which Solomon also tells us, Prov. 25.3. is unsearchable, and which we know is more Arbitrary and  than any other Man's: How much more may he do it, by those that are in a much lower Degree and Station? If the Heart with all its Powers and Faculties be thus at his Disposal, it is sufficient for our Purpose, and we may be sure, that he can easily do what Solomon here asserts.  
2. He has done it heretofore, and the many Instances of it are upon Record in Scripture, to excite and encourage us to expect that it shall be so again, as often as he pleases, and sees that there is Occasion for it. Yea, how many signal Instances of it are there in Jacob's Case alone? First, When Laban pursued after him, with no good Intention, you may be sure, but was prevented in his Design by GOD, who would not suffer him so much as to speak an angry Word to him, Gen. 31.29. So also it was in the Case of Esau, who had vowed and prepared for his Destruction, and came with an Armed Force, and an enraged and revengeful Mind, to execute what he had both in his Heart, and in his Hand, and that too upon one of the most favourable Opportunities for such a Purpose, that the most powerful and implacable Malice could wish for; Insomuch, that Jacob himself was exceedingly afraid, and greatly distressed, and expects nothing but Mischief and Ruin; but GOD turned Esau's Heart also, as he did Laban's, the Night before they met, and made him embrace, and kiss, and show the greatest Kindness, where he intended to destroy: And I mention this the rather, because Solomon tells us, Prov. 18.19. That a Brother offended is harder to be won than a strong City, and their Contentions are like the Bars of a Castle. The same also appears in the Case of the Schechemites, though Slaughter of them was so barbarous and provoking a Thing, that Jacob himself was in the greatest Consternation that ever he was in his Life, dreading the Fury of the Inhabitants of the Country, that they would all rise against him as one Man, and cut off his whole Family at once; and in this Fright he flies from thence, and calls upon GOD for Protection, as he had formerly done in the Day of his Distress, and finds the same Success; For the Terror of the Lord was upon all the Cities that were round about him, that they pursued not after him, Gen. 35.5. And was it not so also, when Pharaoh gave him the Land of Goshen to dwell in, that so none of the Egyptians might injure him or his? because every Shepherd (as Jacob and his Sons were) was (as we are told, Gen. 46.34.) an Abomination to the Egyptians.  
And what he found so often, was more frequently and signally made good in a Multitude of Instances in his Posterity. How cruelly and unjustly they were used in Egypt, every one that knows any thing of their being there at all, is sufficiently informed; and must therefore admire, that they should after such inhuman and barbarous Usage, which redounded also so much to the Gain and Advantage of their Oppressors, come out from thence in so peaceable a Manner, that not so much as a Dog wagged his Tongue against any of the Children of Israel, tho' there was a great Cry through all the Land of Egypt; because there was not an House, in which there was not one, even of their firstborn, dead. Nay, to increase the Wonder as well as to confirm the Point in hand, their Enemies showed them more Kindness at their Departure, than they would have expected from their best Friends; for they loaded them with Gifts, even to the Impoverishing of themselves: Insomuch, that they would not have been more spoiled by the most prevailing Conqueror, and all from the Hand of GOD, who gave his People such Favour in the Sight of the Egyptians, that they lent them all that they required; insomuch, that they spoiled the Egyptians, as Moses tells us, Exod. 12.35, 36. Nor was it otherwise with them afterwards; for tho' he often sold them into their Enemy's Hands for their Sins, yet he caused them to be pitied of all those that carried them away Captives, Psal. 106.46. and not only to show Kindness to them in the Land of their Captivity, but to send them back with special Tokens of their  to them into their own Land; according to Solomon's Prayer, 1 K. 8.50. For just so it fared with them under the Babylonish Captivity, and at their return from thence; as you may plainly see in the Case of Daniel and his Companions, of Esther and Mordecai, whilst they were there, and of Nehemiah and Ezra, and the whole Body of the People, when they were so freely, and so kindly sent home, by the special Order of the King of Babylon, and under the Protection of the Government itself. But what need we go further than our own Country for Instances of it, when we also have had Wolves taking Care of the Sheep, Papists preserving Protestants, (as King Philip did Queen Elizabeth) and Men of no Religion assisting vigorously in the Maintenance and Preservation of it; which tho' it may, and does slain all the Glory, that might otherwise have been due to them, for such worthy Deeds; yet it does the more advance the Glory of GOD, whose Grace and Power is so remarkably seen therein, and gives Encouragement to good Men, who sincerely desire and design, what they only Craftily and Mechanically do, to pursue the same, with greater Vigour and Zeal, and more comfortable Hopes of Success.  
3. He has the same Kindness for his People still that ever he had, and will certainly do it again, when there is occasion for it, and it conduces to his own Glory, and their Good: His Church never dies, tho' the Members of it do; nor does his Love ever cease or change, but descends to all Generations; and therefore, if he does not show it at one time, and in the same manner, that he has done at another, we must conclude, that he sees it better for them to have their Enemies hate them, than to be at Peace with them: Their Enmity may be better to them, than their ; and they may get more by it in the Exercise of their Faith and Patience, and the Increase of their other Graces, as well as bring more Glory to GOD, and good to others too: Thus it was with the Jewish Nation under the Babylonish Captivity, after which we hear no more Complaints of their Idolatry; That having perfectly cured them of that sort of Wickedness: For tho' other Sins reigned amongst them still, yet they never fell into that again: And happy would they have been indeed, if such another Captivity, could have as effectually cured them of all the rest. This being of the Nature of other Afflictions, and has the same Design, of bringing those back again to GOD'S Law, that are gone astray from it; and must therefore be an Evidence of GOD's Faithfulness, as well as Love to his People; So that it does in no wise contradict the Wise Man's Assertion in the Text, but rather confirms it; for when a Man has a much better Thing done for him, than was promised, he can never be said to be wronged; nor can he that made the Promise, be taxed with being worse than his Word: And this brings me to another Consideration, that will sufficiently determine this Point, and stop the Mouth of all Objections drawn from the Veracity of GOD: For,  
4. He is as true to his Promise as ever, and as his Love can never change, so his Faithfulness and Truth can never fail; and therefore, tho' we do not at present understand, and are not able to comprehend the Nature and Reason of his acting in this Matter, yet we may rest upon this, that he is Truth itself and cannot lie; and upon that we may stay ourselves, and wait till we see the Thing itself confirmed by the Event. If this therefore be his Word and Promise, and we are careful to perform that which it is made to, we may also (under the forementioned Limitations) expect the same Blessing according to the Letter: For as Balaam says, Numb. 23.19. God is not a Man that he should lie, nor the Son of Man that he should repent; what he hath said he will do, and what he hath spoken he will make good; which as it proves this Particular, so it gives us a fresh Instance of the whole: For that Prophet was a declared Enemy to Israel; and went to them with a full Purpose to do them Mischief, being hired by the fairest Prospect of great Rewards to Curse them; But tho' it were so much in his Will and Desire, yet it was not in his Power, GOD having not only restrained him therein, but perfectly overruled him too, and made him to Bless where he intended to Curse, and to speak Peace where he designed to proclaim War, and to destroy.  
2. The Truth of Solomon's Assertion will further appear, if we consider the Occasion of GOD'S interposing and acting in this Manner: For it is in a Case, that is very acceptable to him, and such as must of necessity incline him to it; for which Reason therefore the Wise Man thus expresses himself, That from the very nature of the Thing, they may see a Confirmation of the Truth of the Assertion. Thus, therefore GOD himself appeals to Cain's own Reason and Judgement, to determine this Matter, whether a good Action can possibly miss of Acceptance with him, Gen. 4.7. He that pleases GOD cannot fail of being kindly received, and plentifully rewarded by him. Now nothing pleases him better than to see us always employed in well doing; it's therefore called a Walking-worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, Col. 1.10. And doing that which is well pleasing in his Sight, Heb. 13.21. It's therefore said of Enoch, who always walked thus with God, and for which God took him to himself, that before his Translation he had this Testimony that he pleased God, Heb. 11.5. St. John therefore makes this the Ground of our Confidence, of being heard and answered in all our Prayers, because we keep his Commandments, which he calls the doing that which is well pleasing in his Sight, 1 Joh. 3.22. So that it must needs be as the Wise Man here says, since whatever pleases GOD must of necessity obtain from him, whatever he has promised to it; for in this Case his infinite and unalterable Love to Goodness must incline him to it, as well as his Justice, and we may assure ourselves: That he will do it when he is himself so particularly concerned in it, when it is for his own sake as well as ours, that he both promises and confirms it.  
3. The Truth of this Assertion in the Text will yet further appear, from the natural Tendency of the Thing itself, to the producing of this good Effect, as well as to the engaging of the great GOD to concern himself in it; for there is a plain Probability of it, as a subordinate Means from whence in the common and ordinary Course of Things, it may well be expected: For which Reason St. Peter appeals to the common Sense and Judgement of all Mankind to confirm it, 1 Pet. 3.13. Who is he that will harm you, if ye be Followers of that which is Good? And therefore advises all Christians to have their Conversation honest amongst the Gentiles; that whereas they speak against them as Evil doers, they may by their good Conversation, which they shall behold, glorify God in the Day of Visitation, Chap. 2.12. And in the Third Chap. of that Epist. Ver. 16. advises them to have a good Conscience; that whereas they may meet with some that are very apt to speak against them as Evil doers; they may be ashamed that falsely accuse their good Conversation in Christ: For which Reason St. Paul also tells us, Rom. 14.18. That he who thus serveth Christ, is acceptable to God, and approved of Men. Yea, Solomon assures us, Prov. 3.4. That such shall find Favour and Esteem before God and Man. And, indeed, a prudent and a pious Conversation has such Charms, that it will make those that will not join with us therein, yet commend and value us the more for it: And tho' they do not intent us any Good, yet they will not easily be brought to do us any Harm: Nay, St. Paul tells us, Rom. 5.7. That they will rather harm themselves than us, and will even venture their Lives for us, since whatever they may do for arighteous Man, they will go to the utmost Length therein, for a good Man: For which Reason the Elders of the Jews besought our Saviour to help the Centurion's Servant, for tho' his Master was not of their Communion, yet they knew him to be a good Man, and ready to assist and encourage any good Work, even for those that differed from him in Opinion and Judgement: For say they, Luk. 7.4, 5. He is for this Reason worthy of this Kindness that we ask; and we are able to give good Proof of it, having often tried him, and have always found it so, and have a standing Instance of it amongst us; for he loveth our Nation, and hath built us a Synagogue.  
Object. But to all this may be objected, what the Scriptures say, that good Men shall be exposed to divers Afflictions and Calamities, and be persecuted and hated for their Goodness; for so our Saviour tells his Disciples, Mat. 10.17, 18, 21, 22. They shall be that they shall not only be delivered up to the Counsels, but that they shall be scourged in their Synagogues; yea, the Brother shall deliver up the Brother to Death, and the Father the Child, and that they should be hated of all Men for his Names sake▪ And that their Persecutors should think that they did God service in the kill of them, as he says, John 16.2. St. Paul also tells us, 2 Tim. 3.12. That all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus, or according to the Christian Religion, shall, and must expect to suffer Persecution; and what they thus assert, a Multitude of good Men have found by Experience to be but too true. Nay, David expressly says, Psal. 38.20. That he had many powerful and implacable Enemies, that continually rendered him Evil for Good, and were his Adversaries because he followed the Thing that was Good. Thus it was also with the holy Prophets, Apostles and Martyrs, yea, with CHRIST himself, and with a vast and innumerable Company of his Followers, who all found it so too: But yet all these things do not so fully contradict this Assertion, as to make the Truth and Certainty of it to be questioned; for all this may be, and yet Solomon be in the Right too. Therefore, to all this, I answer,  
1. Temporal Promises are never to be understood strictly and absolutely, as universally and always true according to the Letter, but as commonly so; and therefore must still be taken in a Limited and Conditional Sense, with a Reserve always to the Will and Pleasure of Almighty GOD, the Good of his Servants, and the wise Ends of his Government; if it be for his Glory and the Good of others, but yet so as always to conclude honourably for GOD, that he never departs from the strictest Rules of Truth and Justice; and that if he gives not the Thing promised, he will certainly give that which is better; for he will in no Sense be worse than his Word; he may go beyond it, but he will never come short of it.  
2. He seldom sets any particular Time to this sort of Promises, but reserves that to himself: And where he does not so, it's a plain Indication that he intends to take his own Time, which is always best, and that therefore we ought to wait his Leisure.  
3. But let me ask thee, O Man, whoever thou art, that makest this Objection; Hast thou been as punctual in the Performance of all those Duties, that are made the Condition of all these Promises, as thou art punctual and peremptory in claiming the Performance of them? If so, my Soul for thine, he will assuredly make it good to a Title, for he can never fail thee.  
4. But let the Worst come to the Worst (as we commonly say) and admit, that thou hast been faithful, and yet hast not found this to be true, let not this be any Discouragement or Obstacle to the Perseverance in thy Duty still, for there is another Life after this, and what's wanting here shall certainly be abundantly made good to thee there: Which is always the Case of those, whom GOD has thought sit to deliver so far into their Enemy's Hands, as to lose their Lives by their Power and Malice, or in any other Sense, to fall short of a full, and perfect Enjoyment of their utmost Expectation here in this World: And therefore, after the Apostle had brought in a whole Cloud of Witnesses to prove this, he exhorts all Christians to run with Patience the Race that was set before them, and to look unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of their Faith, who for the Joy that was set before him, endured the Cross and despised the Shame, Heb. 12.1, 2. Let what will happen to us here, the Hope that is set before us is as an Anchor, both sure and steadfast, and will be sufficient to stay our Souls, and to keep them from sinking, or being shipwrecked in the greatest Storms that can arise in the most Tempestuous Sea of all Worldly Persecutions and Afflictions; For we shall not only arrive safely at that desired Haven, but shall also be there both filled with Joy and crowned with Glory.  
2. I shall apply this Assertion to this present and happy Occasion, for so I must call it, and hope to make it appear to be so.  
1. By showing that the Work we are engaged in, and are so desirous to promote, is really and truly one of those Ways that please the LORD, nay, perhaps it will be found one of those that are most pleasing to him, and that it's one of the best Things that we can do. For,  
1. It is certainly a good Work in itself, and must have the Approbation and Esteem of all wise and good Men; The very Name of the Thing carries Honour and Goodness in it, and wants for no other Testimony of its Worth and Excellency; nay, its what the very worst of Men cannot but commend and wish for in others, tho' they will not be brought under the Discipline of it themselves. They would have no Body to debauch their own Wives and Daughters; nay, they will highly resent it, and be ready to fight and kill any one that shall attempt it. They would not have their Children bred to Lying or Thieving, nor their Servants dissolute and false; and if they do not love to walk in the Ways of Religion and Virtue themselves, yet they cannot but approve of those that do so, and esteem them the more for it. They even stand in Awe of Goodness, and cannot help having a very great Veneration for it, and forbear showing it upon occasion. Those very Persons amongst us, that have showed any dislike to this good Work that we are engaged in, I mean those of them that pretend to be of our Communion, will, I know, readily grant, that the first Reformers of our Church from Popery, were worthy of all Honour in all the Churches of the Saints; and that their Name and Memory is precious; and that we ought always to mention them with the greatest Deference and Respect. Now if that was so good a Work, this certainly cannot be a bad one. Did those pious and good Men do so well in Reforming the Church from Popery, and must they be thought to do ill, that endeavour to reform it from Profaneness, especially now when we are under the particular Obligations of that great Blessing itself, as well as the many others since, to do all that we can therein? Is it not the Glory of our Church, to be Virtuous as well as True, to be holy in Life, as well as sound in the Faith? Well, therefore does the King's Proclamation charge those that are Enemies to this Work with being a Reproach to our Religion, as well as a Discredit to the Kingdom; and I may add especially to our Church, to which they are indeed the greatest Scandal, whatever Boasts they may make of their being some of the truest Members of it. Is this the Kindness to the best Mother in the World? And are these the Effects of it? When and where did she ever give the least Countenance or Encouragement to any such Practices, as you seem to make her to allow of? Let none therefore from henceforth call themselves her Sons, unless they mend their own Lives, and rejoice to see the same good Work effectually carried on amongst all the rest of her Children: For till they do so, they can never, I am sure, show any good Title to that Character and Relation: They do in no wise belong to her, but rather to another Society, which as we can take no delight to mention, so there will be no occasion for it, since they and every Body else may see whose Children they are by the Temper they are of, and the Works that they will do.  
2. It is the Work of GOD, which he actually engages himself in, as well as puts us upon. How does he continually, both in his Word and in his Works, strive with Men to reclaim them, and to bring them by his Spirit back again unto his Law? Insomuch, that we may say, as Isa. 5.4. What could have been done more herein that he has not done? The whole Creation is a standing Instance of it, and a visible Sermon to instruct us in it; which his Word plainly explains, and his Providence particularly applies, in the most pathetical and convincing Manner to all Mankind: What are his Kindnesses and Favours? What are his Chastisements and Corrections, but so many powerful Motives, to prevail upon us, to reform and amend as well as to demonstrate his particular Concern in this Matter, by what he thus actually does in it?  
3. It is the Work that he sent the Blessed JESUS into the World about, and which he spent his whole Life in, as all may see that will but look into what the Evangelists relate of him; yea, in which he sometimes acted in the same Manner that you are excited to, when he whipped the Buyers and Sellers out of the Temple, overthrew the Tables of the Money-Changers, and the Seats of them that sold Doves; and thereby forced them to desist from any further Profanation of that Sacred Place, which had been dedicated to a better Use and Purpose, by putting the Laws in execution, that had been formerly made against all such Wickedness, and which expressly forbidden the making GOD's House an House of Merchandise: So far was he from being discouraged at the Objection of a private Station, or from staying till the Magistrate called him to it, by putting him into an Office that required it, that he puts himself upon doing the Work, choosing rather to expose himself to their Censures, than to suffer a Work so necessary at that time, and so serviceable to the Interest of Religion, to be any longer neglected.  
4. It is a Work that he employs his best Servants in, and whom he has the greatest Value for; Such are his Prophets and Apostles, his Saints, yea, his Angels too; who, as Heb. 1.14. are therefore styled, Ministering Spirits, because they are sent forth to minister to them that shall be Heirs of Salvation. I need not tell you what a Value he puts upon all these, and how dear they are to him; but you may easily see what Value he puts upon this Work, and of what account he esteems it, when he calls forth and engages such Persons as these in it. For, as when a Sovereign Prince sends a particular Favourite, whom he delights to honour, upon any Foreign Embassy, we conclude by the Quality of the Person, and the great Affection that his Prince bears him, that the Business he goes about is exceeding great and honourable, for else a meaner Person might have been sent as well: So we may by the same Rule judge truly of this Matter, and conclude, that the Work must be great in itself, and of high Esteem in the Sight of GOD, or else such eminent Persons, and so well beloved, would not have been employed in it.  
5. It is a Work that he has signally owned, and remarkably blessed; and that not only in those that have been particularly called to it, but in those also that have voluntarily offered themselves to the Promoting of it. Such as Phineas, of whom the most honourable mention is made, both by Moses and the Psalmist, and upon whom the greatest Blessings were entailed: For Moses tells us, That what he did in executing Judgement upon Two of the greatest and most scandalous Offenders, was out of Zeal to GOD, and Love to his Country; and that therefore God would give him his Covenant of Peace, and that it should include his Posterity too, and prove the Covenant of an everlasting Priesthood, Numb. 25.11, 12, 13. But David goes further, and not only commends the Fact as a due Execution of Justice, but relates the happy Issue and Event of it, in stopping of a grievous Plague, by which GOD himself showed his Approbation of it in the highest manner that could be: But tells us also, that Posterity shall always speak of him with Honour, and not only justify the Fact in him, but esteem the Zeal that he expressed therein most worthy of Imitation: For, it shall, says he, Psal. 106.32. be counted unto him for Righteousness unto all Generations for evermore. Not that the Fact itself is to be imitated by us, till we can show the same Authority that he had, and demonstrate that we have the same Spirit to call us to it, that so eminently appeared in him: But the same Zeal is certainly to be brought into Example, and is most worthy to be followed upon all Occasions. Is not good Nehemiah also another Instance of this? who for putting himself upon this good Work, and seeking thereby the Welfare of his Country, in repairing the Temple, as well as rebuilding the City, and in restoring Religion, when he had brought back the People, was highly honoured, and remarkably owned, and blessed by GOD for what he had done therein; Insomuch, that he does himself beg to be always dealt with accordingly for time to come, saying, Neh. 13.14. Remember me, O my God, concer. ●●ing this, and wipe not out my good Deeds, that 〈◊〉 have done for the House of my God, and for th●● Offices thereof. And does not St. James also give us as great a Character of this Work as can be desired? When he speaks of it as a Thing that is as highly meritorious and commendable as the Saving of a Soul from Death, and procuring Pardon for a Multitude of Sins: For so he expressly styles it, Jam. 5.19, 20. Brethren, If any of you do err from the Faith, and one Convert him, Let him know, that he which converteth a Sinner from the Error of his Way, shall save a Soul from Death, and shall hid a Multitude of Sins. And may I not add to all this, the Things that your Eyes have seen, and the wonderful Success that GOD has given to this your pious Undertaking, since you first began, when they were but few of you, and those in a manner Strangers, and without Power and Authority in the Land, that then ventured upon it: For how have your Numbers been increased, and your Hands been strengthened, and your Work made prosperous ever since, through the good Hand of your GOD upon you? And what Encouragement does this give you to go on therein with your utmost Vigour and Zeal, not doubting but that he will still own you in it, as he has hither to done.  
6. It is a Work which the greatest and best of Men have not thought it beneath them to do their utmost in; as will sufficiently appear from the Quality and Stations of those that have voluntarily offered themselves to it, and been most zealous in it. Such as Moses and Joshua, David and Solomon, Asa and Jehosaphat, Hezekiah and Josiah, who were all Persons of the highest Rank and Order, and in the most eminent Place and Power, and were all of them as truly Great for undertaking this Work, as for the Stations they were in, and the Diadems which they wore.  
7. It is the very End and Design of all their Greatness; for they are made so only, that they may do the more Good; they are none of them raised to those Heights to serve themselves, but to serve the Public; not to be gazed at and admired by some, but to be useful unto all that they can have any Influence upon, especially in the suppressing of all manner of Wickedness and Vice: For so the Two great Apostles tell us, that they are the Ministers of God for Good; and that they bear not the Sword in vain, but are to execute Wrath, and inflict Punishment upon those that do Evil, Rom. 13.3, 4.1 Pet. 2.13, 14. The wise Man also tells us, Prov. 20.8. That a King that setteth upon the Throne of Judgement scattereth away all Evil with his Eyes, will put all Wickedness out of Countenance, and drive it away from him, by frowning upon those that allow themselves in it, and by smiling upon those that are virtuous; and thereby so distinguish upon all Occasions Men of Piety and Virtue from all others, by particular Marks of their Royal Favour, that they may give the greatest Encouragement to Religion and Morality.  
8. It is that which GOD is highly offended with the Neglect of, and which he has not only severely threatened to punish, but has actually destroyed whole Kingdoms and Nations, as well as private Families for: As we may plainly see in the Case of old Eli, as well as of that of the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah. None could give better Advice than Eli did, none could more pathetically Admonish and Reprove others for any Wickedness, than he did his Sons for theirs; But because he did not act as a public Magistrate, as well as a private Parent, and interpose his Authority to restrain them, by putting the Laws in Execution against them, he is made a terrible Example of the mischievous Consequence of all such Remissness; for it was the Occasion of his own Death, and the Cutting off his House, and reducing his Posterity to a Morsel of Bread. How far this also contributed to the Destruction of Israel and Judah, you may soon see by what the Prophet Jeremiah says, Chap. 5.7, 8, 9 concerning GOD's Resentment of their Wickedness, and his Abhorrence of their Nation for it: For after he had charged them with ●he greatest Wickedness, that abounded  amongst them, he expostulates the Case thus with them; How shall I pardon thee for this? Shall I not visit for these Things? Shall not my Soul be avenged on such a Nation as this? Yes, certainly it shall; and so at last it was.  
2. I shall further apply this Assertion in the Text to this present Occasion, by showing that it shall have the same Effect; and indeed, if we consider this Case under the same Limitations and Allowances, that we have done all others of this Nature, we may with as good Reason expe●● the same Success; for if we thus Please the Lord, he will make our Enemies to be at Peace with us.  
1. They shall be so far at Peace with us, as to allow of the Testimony which we bear at any time against their Wickedness; they shall publicly own the Truth of what they are accused of, tho' it be in itself never so shameful; yea, tho' for a considerable time they may reproach their Accusers with Falsehood therein; yet when they come to be confronted with them, they shall not be able to reply against the Charge, or to deny the Truth and Honesty of it.  
2. The, shall be at Peace with our Persons, so as not to attempt the doing them any harm, tho' they live near us, and may have fair and frequent Opportunities for it, yet their Hands shall be so tied to their good Behaviour, that they shall not be able to hurt us; yea, tho' their Hearts are enraged, and their Mouths are opened against us, and their Tongues let lose upon us, yet they shall not be suffered to do us any Injury. He that made the hungry Lions thus to be at Peace with Daniel; and the devouring Fire with the Three Children that were cast into it, will do the same by us and them, and make our most potent and enraged Enemies rather to treat us well, than by any means to harm us.  
3. They shall be at Peace with our Proceed, and the Methods we take to reclaim them in their Judgements, and in their Consciences, tho' they are not so at present in their Affections, and in their Passions: These may, perhaps, prompt them to accuse us of Falsehood and Perjury, of Malice and Envy, of Hatred and a revengeful Spirit, or of some base and ugly Design; but they shall in a little time discharge us of all these, and own the Integrity and Justice of all that we do in this Matter, and esteem us as their best Friends, and be ready to acknowledge as much to their Intimadoes: Nay, when they come to cool and consider, as they will do, they cannot but justify us to themselves, tho' they will not perhaps so readily own it to every Body else. For the Wise Man tells us, that this shall certainly have such an Ascendant over them, as to force them to esteem us more than those whose Conversation they like better, but now find to have been much worse: For he that rebuketh a Man, shall afterwards sinned more Favour than he that slattereth with the Tongue, Prov. 28.23.  
4. They shall be brought to Repentance and Amendment, they shall be actually reclaimed from those Vices that they have been formerly so much addicted to; and when they are so, no one can doubt of their being perfectly at Peace with us; for they shall acknowledge the Kindness we have done them, and be thankful to GOD for us, and continually enjoy the Comforts of so blessed and desirable a Change.  
5. They shall be so entirely at Peace with us, as to come over to us, and help us; they shall actually join with us, and assist us in carrying on the same Work: They shall give the same Testimony to their entire Reconciliation to all our Proceed in this Matter, that S. Paul did to those, that were afraid to receive him, as doubting the Truth of his Conversion, in offering themselves, now to support that, which they endeavoured heretofore to destroy: And I wish they could give the same Satisfaction of their Integrity that he did, and by their after Diligence and Zeal, make amends for their former Remissness and Opposition: But whither they do so or no, this we are sure of, they shall thus far own us, by joining with us, when something extraordinary shall even force them to it; As Talnai, and the rest of his Confederates did, that had endeavoured all they could to obstruct the Building of the Temple; but when a Proclamation came from Court, to require them to lend all the Assistance they could to the Building of it, very readily complied, and did all that they could to the Carrying on of so good a Work, Ezra 6.13, 14, 15. And I doubt not, but the King's Proclamation has done the same also amongst us, and more I am confident it will do. But whither all or any of these Things be so or no, this I am sure of;  
6. The next Life shall reconcile them to us, and make them approve of what we have done, tho' they never had a good Thought of it before: Nay, perhaps, may have no Benefit by it, or Comfort in it then; for it shall be then with them (if they shall be so unhappy as to have their Enmity last so long) as our Saviour says it shall be with those, that shall see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and many others of GOD's faithful Servants, whom they have perhaps here despised, in the Kingdom of Heaven, and they themselves thrust out; they shall have nothing to object, either to the one or to the other, but must acknowledge the Justice of GOD in both, tho' they themselves have no share in his Mercy.  
3. And Lastly, I shall apply this Assertion in the Text yet further to this present Occasion, by adding something by way of Direction and Encouragement to this good Work. Encouragement you have enough from what has been already said from the Nature of the Work itself, the Acceptableness of it unto GOD, and the Success that it shall have: For your Direction therefore in it, that it may prevail and prosper, give me leave rather to remind you of what you have done already, and then to inform or direct you further.  
Go on you pious and generous Souls in this blessed and honourable Work, as you have hitherto done; 1. With that Prudence and Judgement that has appeared in all your Actions, when they come to be rightly understood, and the Reasons and Methods of all their Proceed to be fairly heard: For I dare be bold to say, that when those just and necessary Allowances are made, which all Humane Actions require, especially in Men of such different Tempers and Inclinations, Educations and Ways of Living as you are of, there will be found as much of this, as in any public Undertaking whatsoever. 2. With that Courage and Constancy, which has been hitherto invincible, and has stood out against the greatest Difficulties and Discouragements: And long may it do so, till it makes you more than Conquerors, because always able to triumph in Christ Jesus, by reason of the continual Success that you meet withal therein. 3. With that Temper that I have always observed to be very commendable in you, from that Mixture of Moderation and Gentleness, that has appeared in the greatest Efforts of your Zeal. And 4thly, and Lastly, With that Uprightness and Integrity of Heart, that has put to silence all your Accusers, when they have not been able to fasten one base and unworthy, one selfish and sordid Action or Design upon you. Go on then, I say, in this Godlike and Excellent Work, making, as you have all along done, the Laws of the Land the Rule of all your Proceed, and the Glory of GOD, the Interest of Religion, and the Salvation of Souls, the End of them. And may the great GOD of Heaven and Earth, which is always delighted in such Services as these, not only add to your Number, but crown all that you do therein, with all that Success, and with all those other Blessings that so great and so good a Work does every way deserve;  
Through Jesus Christ our Lord; to whom with the Father, and the Eternal Spirit, Three Persons, but One God, be all Honour and Glory, now and for ever more. Amen.  
FINIS.