A SERMON Preached before The Religious Societies In the City of Dublin, On the 29th of Septemb. 1695. Together with the method to be observed by them at their Meetings, and the Laws of their Society, with the 39 Articles of the Church of Ireland,  
By B. Scroggs, D. D.  
Dublin, Printed for Jacob Milner and are to be Sold at his Shop over against the End of Essex-Bridge in Essex-street. 1695   

To the several Religious Societies in the Kingdom of Ireland.  
Brethren,  
I Have Published this short Discourse according to your Request, and if you are profited by it, and encouraged to prosecute the Good Work you are engaged in, I am not much concerned what Censure the world may pass upon it. I have also added the Laws and Method to be observed by all your Societies thro' the whole Kingdom, and have made a few alterations, and such additions as you desired in the devotion used at your Meetings; and if in any thing else I can serve you, I shall neither spare my pains nor my prayers for you, nor any charges as far as my abilities extend.  
And now I must beg leave to put you in mind of a Duty which I have so Frequently and Earnestly urged and repeated heretofore, that above all things you avoid all dissensions and divisions, the fatal Rock upon which the noblest designs do so often split and miscarry, and which has almost ruined Christianity itself, against which no persecution nor malice of the Enemy could ever prevail. And therefore beware lest you receive any into your Societies that come for this end, to disturb and distract you, not out of ill-will to Religion in general, but to the Established Church, which by your examples is likely to be increased as well as edified. Avoid all disputes, and then you cannot fall into any violence of passion: and if you should be angry, you must stifle it in the beginning, and never suffer it to proceed to a division or separation, or a settled grudge or animosity between parties. And to this end let every single man resolve to reconcile his Brethren when they are at difference; and let all in general agree to put strictly in Execution that Law which you have for this purpose. And may the Favourer and Protector of all good designs continue and increase the success of your Endeavours, and give you courage, and prudence, and perseverance, and all the Graces that are necessary to carry on this great and blessed Undertaking. This shall always be the Prayer of  
Your most Affectionate Brother and Humble Servant. B. Scroggs.   
Acts of the Apost. 2 Chap. 42 Verse. 
And they continued steadfastly in the Apostles Doctrine, and Fellowship, and in Breaking of Bread, and in Prayers.  
Tho' I mention only this Verse for my Text, yet my design is to take for my Subject all the manners and customs of the first & best of all Christians described in this and the following Chapters by the Evangelist St. Luke: and because my discourse is intended only for those societies of young men that have lately assembled themselves with design to imitate that primitive Zeal and Piety; I shall take leave to speak only what's proper to them, and that also in a more plain and familiar way than is usal in this place.  
All good men must be Transported with joy, to see any thing in this wicked age like that Fervour and Life of Religion that ran thro' the whole body of the Primitive Church. It should be as pleasant and surprising as to find Life returning into the eyes and limbs of a dead friend: and certainly, if ever Christianity be recovered, it must be by such means as are now beginning to be used; it must be by religious societies and combinations against the Enemy of our souls, by which we warm, and excite, and encourage, and direct one another, and to think to do this by the zeal, or prudence, or the labours of single men, is as great a folly as to expect the conquest of our temporal enemies by sending one man at a time to wage war with their whole armies. I might insist long upon this subject, in showing the use and necessity of societies for the reducing of piety to its primitive vigour; but at present 'twill be sufficient to justify and recommend to all good men these particular societies from the practice of those Christians mentioned in my Text; for though they cannot equal 'em in that extraordinary degree of Piety, nor imitate 'em in the miraculous power of the spirit▪ yet it is plain that they resemble 'em in most other respects, as I shall now prove by several instances.  
1st. The Christians mentioned in my Text did often meet and converse together, to improve one another in Piety, and onflame each others Zeal: and this I take to be the meaning of the word, Fellowship, in my Text; not only the fellowship of the Apostles (though this must also be understood) but fellowship with one another in their houses, and in the absence of the Apostles. For the number of the new Converts being then so great, that at one Sermon no fewer than threethousand were converted, it was impossible that the Apostles should every day be present at every Congregation or Assembly in their houses, And besides, we have examples of such Meetings in the Scriptures, where the people in the absence of the Clergy have met together in a private way for devotion and other holy ends: as we find in the 12th Chapt. of the Acts, where, upon the disporsion and flight of the Apostles, Peter came to the house of Mary, and found there many Disciples gathered together for Prayer. Now though these Assemblles of Christians were in this unlike our Societies, that the people in them were of all ages and sexes and conditions, but here only men under certain qualifications are admitted; yet their example will warrant and justise our practice; and if one be lawful, the other is at least as warrantable, since the design and consequence of their meeting is the same, as I shall show it to be hereafter. In the mean while we shall suppose 'em thus far to be like, in their meeting together in houses for private Religious exercises. And,  
2dly, They are also like in respect of the time of their meeting, which was chief upon the Lord's-Day. This day was Consecrated at first by the Apostles and Primitive Christians assembling upon it for several religious ends: and though these Assemblies met daily, and kept holy every day of the week and every day of their lives, yet the day they kept most holy was the Lord's-Day, as we read in the 20th of the Acts and the 7th verse. Upon the first day of the week when the Disciples came together to break bread; that is, to receive the Sacrament: In which place we may observe that the whole day was kept holy and spent in Religious exercises; for St. Paul continued his preaching till it was midnight; and though this was more than ordinary, because the Apostle was to leave 'em next morning, yet the Primitive Writers do all speak as if the day were wholly and entirely dedicated to Religious uses. And this I mention, because there are some that pretend to observe the Lord's Day, and yet spend the greatest part of it in any indifferent employment or recreation no way serviceable to the ends of Religion. Now this being one of the principal ends of your meeting together, this must needs be a great encouragement to you, that in this you resemble the blessed Saints of the pure and primitive Church.  
3dly, We find in my Text, that they contained steadfastly in the Apostles Doctrine: They were all of one Faith and one Church, and had no controversies nor difference of opinion; for their business was not to dispute about notions and empty speculations, but those few fundamental truths which the Apostles taught 'em, they all unanimously agreed in, and proceeded upon this foundation to build the superstructure of a holy and devout Life. And this being one of your Laws, and the chief foundation of your Societies, that your members shall all be of one Church, and one Religion, and shall continue steadfastly, in the Apostles Doctrine, in the Doctrine of the Apostolical Church Established in this Kingdom; and that they shall not meddle with disputes and controversies, but wholly apply themselves to works of Piety I need not insist longer upon your agreement with them in this particular; but only exhort and entreat you to keep up to this principle, and as you tender the preservation of your Societies, never to admit of controversies in Religion, nor of such men as are addicted to 'em, but to exclude all that are not peaceably inclined. And though you are to love your enemies, yet you must deny 'em this kindness, of making 'em members of your Societies before they are members of your Church: For if they tear the Church asunder when they have so many commands in the Scripture for the contrary, how can you expect they should preserve an inviolable union with you? but if you do in a kind and amicable way refuse to join with 'em, you will both secure yourselves, and in time gain Proselytes to the Church.  
4thly, They continued also in breaking of bread, that in receiving the Sacrament of the Lord's-Supper: But whether this was daily or weekly, it does not certainly appear in the Scriptures. For by the 46th verse of this Chapter it seems to have been daily. And they continued daily in the Temple, and breaking of bread from house to house: as if he had said, that they went every day to the Temple to pray, as the custom was among the devout Jews, and from thence they went to their houses, and broke bread, or received the Communion together from the Apostles hands, which at that time they were forced to do privately in their houses. But in the 20th Chapter we find that the first day of the week was particularly set apart for Celebrating this Solemnity; and by that time 'tis likely they found it inconvenient to receive every day, and therefore appointed one day in the week to be for ever kept holy on this account chief, and to serve instead of the Jewish Sabbath. This practice of theirs you do in some measure imitate by your monthly Communion, to which you oblige all your members, unless in cases of necessity and exraordinary casualties: and I don't question but in time you may come up to the perfection of Communitating weekly, and by your examples incite so many others, that all the Clergy may be encouraged to administer the Sacrament every week in their Churches; for this was done by the whole Primitive Church for many hundred years; and this our Liturgy supposes to be done by us, where a Communion is implied as often as the Communion-Service is ●read; and this would be truly and properly observing the Lord's-Day, which was first appointed for this purpose, and consecrated chief by this Selemnity.  
5thly, You find in my Text that they continued also in prayers; and so in the 12th Chapter, that they used to meet together for prayer, though the Apostles were not with'em. Not only each family had its own family devotion, as we read of Cornelius in the 10th Chapt. but several people met at one house to 〈◊〉 up and increase each other Devotion▪ For though amongst 〈◊〉 Devotion is most cool in public 〈…〉 Society does 〈…〉 it▪ as fuel added 〈…〉 and indeed all 〈…〉 thrive and 〈…〉 example, and in 〈…〉. Now the word, 〈…〉 be taken in a large sense, as 〈…〉 very often in the Scriptures, not only for petitions and addresses immediately directed to God, but for reading the Scriptures, and for pious Discourses, and any holy Exercise proper for such Societies. And in this particular you also agree with these Primitive converts: Tho as to Prayer strictly so taken, you are forced to be brief in that respect at your Meetings, and those few Collects, you use to take 'em chief out of the Church's Liturgy, lest you should be thought to despise the Church's Service, as too many do in these licentious times.  
6thly, Another Virtue which abounded in the first Christians, was that of Charity or , For we are told in the verses following my Text, that they had all things in common, and sold their possessions & goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And so in the 4th Chapter and 32th Verse.— That none of them said that aught of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things common. But this extraordinary degree, or rather this way of Charity by selling and dividing their possessions, was proper to that time, and that particular number of Christians, and not afterwards imitated, even by the Primitive Church. For then there was no danger nor possibility of wanting, though they sold their possessions, because the Divine Providence had an extraordinary and particular care over those men, as appears by that passage in the 11th Chap. of the Acts, where Agabus prophesied of a Famine that was approaching, and gave warning to make provision for the Saints that dwelled at Jerusalem, which were the people mentioned in my Text. And besides, this Society of men being a sort of Nursery to the Catholic Church of the whole World, and the members of it continually chosen out to be sent abroad, they had reason to fallen their Lands, and do many other things which are not so necessary in a settled condition of the Church. The right imitation therefore of these Christians consists in this, in being extraordinary charitable to the utmost of our abilities; and if we have but little, in giving gladly of that little: and yet if we have nothing, out charity may be like theirs, as we find in the next Chapter, where St. Peter and St. John the chief of all the Church had neither Gold nor Silver, and could give no Alms to the poor Beggar. And thus you imitate the first Christians at your meetings, by giving Alms according to your abilities, and making this one part of your employment at that time, to consider what objects of charity are in greatest want of your relief, and contribute your mite to 'em, which our Saviour says, is as great as all the treasures of rich men: and surely when others that are more able to give Alms, are stirred up by your example, they will be ashamed to give so sparingly as the custom is now among the wealthier sort of people.  
Under this head of Charity I must add something concerning Justice to our Neighbour, a Virtue most strictly observed by all the Primitive Christians, in their contracts and deal with other men. For though it is not expressly mentioned in this place, yet it is plainly intimated, and follows of necessity from the other Virtue. For if they were so charitable as to give all their Riches and Estates to the poor, they could not be supposed to do any act of injustice, though they might gain the whole World by it. And this I mention to you, because by your professions you are always employed in those actions that are the subject of Justice: and therefore as you have already gained a great reputation for honesty and fair dealing, so I must beg and entreat you to take a particular care hereafter of all your actions in reference to this duty; that you may not be like the hypocrites of these times, that pretend piety, & design advantage; but like the Christians in my Text, that thought of nothing but the necessaries of Life, and despised riches and all other blessings when they came in competition with the duties of Justice and Charity.  
7thly. Another Virtue, and the last I shall mention, in which you agree with them, is a servant zeal and concern for the conversion and salvation of other men: the noblest of all the Graces, and the perfection and fullness, or rather the overflowing of Religion and Piety; than which nothing can be more acceptable to God, more serviceable to the Church, and more advantageous to your own souls. For they that bring many to righteousness, shall shine like the stars for ever and ever; and not only shall be like the Angels, but like the Son of God, whose only business upon earth, was to reform and save Sinners from destruction. Now, the Christians mentioned in my Text, were above all others remarkable for this Virtue: they met together, as an heathen Author said of 'em, not to conspire against the Government, but against Injustice, and Adultery, and other Sins: and all their ambition, and their whole employment was, to root out Errors and Irreligion from the hearts of men. And though it was the peculiar office of the Apostles▪ and Ministers of the Gospel, to Preach publicly to others, yet to admonish and instruct privately they thought their duty, and never rested from performing it. Thus in the 18th Chap. of the Acts, Aquila and Priscilla took Apollo's to them, and in private expounded the way of God to him more perfectly. And such expressions as these are common in St. Paul's Epistles: Greet Aquila and Priscilla my helpers in Christ; Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. For if the people had not been zealous in promoting the common work of Piety, and true Religion, by admonishing and instructing in a private way every man his own Friends & Acquaintances, 'tis impossible that the few Apostles and Clergy of those times should have gained the tith of those innumerable proselytes to Goodness and Christianity: And the same thing may be affirmed of this present age, that if others do not help the Clergy, and contribute what assistance is proper for them towards the work of Reformation, we must expect that Virtue will still decay, and the World grow worse, and more irreligious every day.  
I know few or none, excepting yourselves, that are sensible of this duty; but you have endeavoured to imitate the pattern set before you in my Text; and have made yourselves like the first Christians, a nursery and seminary of Virtue, and good Morality, and true Religion; and God has showed his approbation of your design, as he did in the first planting of Christianity, by the great success of your labours, and the extraordinary increase of your number in so short a time as it has been since you begun this work: so great an increase, that if it should continue in the same proportion but a few years longer, Virtue would become the fashion, and Vice grow scandalous for want of number to encourage and defend it. I might here use a multitude of arguments, to show how it is your duty, and your interest; your eternal interest, and the interest of the Church and Kingdom, that you should continue steadfast and immovable in this Virtue; and how increase and multiply, is not only the first & most necessary command of the Creation, but in a spiritual sense of the Gospel also, and the Christian Religion. But my design was to press upon you this and the other duties only by the motive of conforming yourselves to the first and best of all Christians, which I thought was most likely to prevail upon all that have the right and genuine temper of Christianity.  
And thus far I have made the comparison between you and them in 7 Particulars. 1 In meeting together to carry on the public work 2 In meeting upon the Lord's-Day to keep that holy. 3 In continuing steadfastly in one Apostolical Faith. 4 In breaking of bread, or receiving the Communion frequently. 5 In continuing also in Prayer both public and private. 6 In Charity or . 7 In Zeal and Fervour, for the Conversion and Salvation of other men. Which Rules of your Society may you always observe, and never sail to have the same success with which God has hitherto blest your endeavours.  
But as you are like the first Christians in all these particulars, so you must remember that there is one thing which I intimated at first, in which you cannot resemble them; and that is the miraculous power of the Holy Ghost, which for many years upheld and encouraged their endeavours. You must not expect, I say, that God will work such wonders, as he did then, for your assistance and encouragement; for the time of miracles is over, and therefore  
In the 1st place, since you cannot depend upon miracles, be so much the more careful and diligent in your work, and make up the want of them by resolution and constancy. You will meet with the same obstacles and the same dangers, excepting Martyrdom, but be not discouraged or frighted by it; some will laugh at you, and others will censure and affront you, and perhaps your numbers may not increase as you expect; but let not all this dishearten you, for your design is noble and heroic, and your labour will be rewarded as much as if you had converted the whole world to a sense of Piety and Religion.  
2dly. Since you have no miracles to preserve you, nor any extraordinary inspiration, such as the first Christians had, to direct you; therefore beware of yourselves and your own infirmities, lest they betray you into Error, and ruin the glorious design you are engaged in. You must therefore resolve strictly to observe all the Laws you have agreed to: you must not depend wholly upon your own knowledge, but ask counsel of those that are wiser, and especially your own Pastors: you must work out the salvation of other men, as you do your own, with fear and trembling: you must rebuke without censoriousness, and triumph over Sin without pride or insolence; and since you are not infallibly guided by the Spirit, you must take a particular care of avoiding all disputes and differences among yourselves, for which there can be no better way, than to resolve never to meddle with any controversy, no, not concerning morality itself, so far as to fall into any heats and animosities about it.  
These Cautions, if you observe, and continue in your good resolutions, the blessings of God will undoubtedly attend your endeavours, and the whole Nation may in time feel the good effects of your labours. At least your own reward will be extraordinary in proportion to the good you design, whether you succeed or no. The Psalmist when he desired a blessing from God, to gain his favour, made a vow to give him what he thought above all things would please him; which thing if thou wilt grant me, then shall the righteous resort unto my company. To live in the Society of good men, is the most acceptable offering we can make to the Almighty, especially when good men meet together to increase the number of the righteous, by instructing the ignorant, and reforming the wicked: this is not only pleasing to God, but an occasion of joy to all the Angels in Heaven, and he that increases now the joy of that place, may expect to partake of it abundantly hereafter.   

THE Method to be observed By The Several Religious Societies When they meet together.  
1st. AT their first meeting they may discourse of what Sermons they have heard, what good Books they have seen and read, or upon any other pious Subject, till a competent number be come together.  
2. Then the Prelector (who is the same with the Steward) must begin the Prayers with one or more of these Sentences.  
Behold how good and joyful a thing it is, for Brethren to dwell together in unity, Ps. 133. ver. 1.  
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them, Eccles. 12 Ch. ver. 1.  
Exhort one another while it is called to day, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin; knowing, that he that converteth a Sinner from the error of his ways, shall save a soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins, James 5 Ch. ver. 20.  
Then let every man kneel.  
Prel. Let us Pray,  
Lord have mercy upon us.  
Ans. Christ have mercy upon  
Prel. Lord have mercy upon us.  
Our Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy Name; Thy Kingdom come, thy Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven: Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our Trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us; and lead us not into Temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory, for ever and ever, Amen,  
Prel. O Lord save thy Servants,  
Ans. Who put their trust in thee.  
Prel. Send us help from above,  
Ans. And evermore mightily defend us.  
Prel. Help us, O God, our Saviour,  
Ans. And for the glory of thy Name deliver us; be merciful to us Sinners, for thy Names sake.  
Prel. O Lord, save thy Servant, King William.  
Ans. And give him the victory over all his Enemies.  
Prel. O Lord, hear our Prayer,  
Ans. And let our Cry come unto thee.  
Prel. Let us Pray,  
O God the strength of all them that put their trust in thee, mercifully accept our Prayers: and because through the weakness of our mortal natures we can do no good thing without thee, grant us the help of thy grace, that in keeping thy Commandments we may please thee both in will and deed, thro' Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.  
Almighty God, who seest that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves, keep us both outwardly in our bodies, and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities that may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul, thro' Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.  
O Almighty God who alone canst order the unruly wills & affections of sinful men, grant 〈◊〉 to thy people, that they may love the thing which thou commandest, and desire that which thou dost promise that so among the sundry and manifold changes of the World our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found, thro' Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.  
O Lord we beseech thee mercifully to hear us, and grant that we to whom thou hast given a hearty desire to Pray, may by thy mighty aid be defended and comforted in all dangers and adversities, and devoutly given to serve thee in all good works, to the glory of thy name, thro' Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.  
Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning, grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy word, we may embrace and ever hold fast that blessed hope of everlasting Life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen.  
Here all standing the Praelector shall say,  
Prel. O praise the Lord with me.  
Ans. Let us magnify his name together.  
Prel. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.  
Ans. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, World without end, Amen.  
Then shall all say after the Prelector.  
It is meet▪ right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, holy Father, Almighty, everlasting God. Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of Heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious name, evermore praising thee, and saying, Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Hosts, Heaven and Earth are full of thy glory; Glory be to thee, O Lord most high, Amen.  
After this the Prelector shall name a Psalm, or part of a Psalm, which they shall all sing.  
3. Then the Prelecter shall read distinctly a Chapter or more out of the New Testament, where it relates most to practise, together with Dr. Hammond's paraphrase, or any other good comment, to be approved of by the Bishop, or some Orthodox Minister of the Established Church.  
4. Afterwards he shall read a portion of some Exposition on the Church Catechism, or some other practical good Book, to be approved of as above; and this may be shorter or longer, according as the time will permit.  
5. Then shall every man that is able, give his Alms for the Poor; and whilst this is doing, the Prelector shall read as many of these following Sentences as he thinks convenient.  
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in ●eaven, Mat. 5. 18.  
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon Earth, where the rust and moth doth corrupt, and where thiefs break through & steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither rust nor moth doth corrupt, and where thiefs do not break through and steal, Mat. 6. 19, 20.  
While we have time, let us do good unto all men, and especially unto the●● who are of the household of 〈…〉 l. 6. 10.  
God is not unrighteous, that he will forget your ●orks and labour, ●●at proceedeth of love, which love ye have showed for his name's 〈◊〉, who have ministered to 〈◊〉 Saints, and yet do minister, Heb. 6. 10.  
To do good, and to distribute, forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased, Herald 13. 16  
Be merciful after thy power; if thou hast much, give plenteously; if thou hast little, do thy diligence gladly to give of that little, for so gatherest thou thyself a good reward in the day of necessity, Tob▪ 4. 8, 9  
He that hath pity on the poor, dareth unto the Lord; and look what 〈◊〉 ●ayeth out, it shall be paid 〈◊〉 again, Prov. 19 17.  
Blessed 〈…〉 that provideth 〈…〉 needy: the Lor●●hall deliver him in the time of trouble, 〈◊〉 1. 1.  
When they have given their alms, they shall 〈◊〉 while, if they have time, and discourse upon any pious subject that offers, viz. what objects of Charity they know, particularly such as have lived well hcretofore: and what young men of their acquaintance may be gained over to a virtuous conversation; and if there be any difficulty, or case of Conscience necessary to be resolved, or any religious affair to be settled, let it be then propounded, and calmly discoursed of.  
After which, let a Psalm be sung, and after that, let them all repeat the Apostles Creed standing; and then let the Prelector conclude with these Collects, every man kneeling.  
C▪ Assist us mercifully, O Lord, in these our supplications and Prayers, and dispose the way of thy servants towards the attainment of everlasting salvation: that among all the changes and chances of this mortal life, they may ever be defended by thy most gracious and ready help, thro' Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.  
O Almighty Lord, and everlasting God; vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to direct, sanctify & govern both our hearts and bodies in the ways of thy laws, and in the works of thy Commandments, that through thy most mighty protection both here & ever, we may be preserved both in body and soul, through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen.  
Blessed Lord, who hast taught us, that all our do without Charity are nothing worth; send thy Holy Ghost, and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of Charity; that we may love thee above all things, and sincerely love our neighbour for thy sake, and endeavour the benefit of his precious soul. Make us ever more fearful of his danger, than of his displeasure, and more desirous of his good than of his favour. Give us therefore Christian courage to reprove, wisdom to advise, council to direct, and prudence to know how, and when, and what to speak, as we ought to do: and O, let a spirit of reformation be in us, to put a stop to that profaneness & irreligion that reigns among us: and do thou magnify thy power in the weakness of the instruments thou makest use of. Give us clean and pure hearts, and so strengthen our good resolutions with thy holy Spirit, that we may never faint, nor grow weary of the work we have undertaken. And that it may be successful, give us the spirit of Love, and Peace, and Unity, that no differences may ever disturb us, or hinder our design of teaching Sinners thy ways, and drawing others to thy love; that so when thou shalt come to gather thy Saints together, we may be found an acceptable people in thy sight: to whom, with the Father, and the holy Spirit, be all praise and glory now and for ever, Awen.  
O most holy and gracious Lord, who in the holy Scriptures hast told us, that though we should perform all that thou hast commanded, we are still unprofitable Servants: we prostrate ourselves before thee, with the lowest humility of soul and body, acknowledging that we are but sinful dust and ashes, and not only unprofitable, but disobedient, and ungrateful to thee: and we beseech thee to inspire into our hearts such a sense of our own unworthiness, that no success may make us highminded, no perfections of our own make us proud and conceited, nor the sins of other men make us uncharitable and consorious: that whilst we endeavour to bring others into the way of Piety and Religion, we ourselves may not be cast away. O, let us not boast with the Pharisee, of our labours and services,  they shall be, but rather with the Publican, smite our breasts, and say, Lord be merciful to us sinners, thro' the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour, Amen.  
O GOD, our Refuge and Strength, who art the Author of all Godliness; hear, we beseech thee, the devout Prayers of thy Servants; and grant that those things which we have asked faithfully, we may obtain effectually, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.  
The Lord bless us, and keep us; the Lord lift up his countenance upon us, and give us Peace now and for evermore. Amen.  

A Prayer to be used before the last Collect, by the Societies of Married men. Taken out of the 91 Psalm.  
O Almighty Lord, under whose defence and shadow, we and our Families do dwell in security! We bless thy Name for all thy former mercies, and we beseech thee to continue thy care and protection of us, and all our concerns. Thou art our hope, and our strong hold, and our God, in whom we will trust; O defend us under thy wings, and let us be safe under thy feathers, and let thy faithfulness and truth be our shield and buckler. Let us not be afraid of any terror by night, nor of the arrow that slieth by day; nor the pestilence that walketh in darkness, nor the sickness that destroyeth at noonday. Let no evil happen unto us, nor any plague come nigh our dwellings; and give thy Angels charge over us (and our Families) to keep us in all thy ways; that after thou hast blest us with a good life in this world, thou mayest show us thy salvation in the world to come. For the sake and merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen.   

Rules to be consented to, and subscribed by such as desire to be Members of the Religious Societics in the Kingdom of Ireland.  
1. THE sole design of these Societies being to promote holiness of life, 'tis necessary that all such as desire to be admitted into any one of the said Societies, should in the first place firmly resolve to lead a regular life in all soberness, righteousness, and godliness: and endeavour to keep their souls in an habitual preparation for the worship of God, by the consideration of his omnipresence, and pious reflections upon the daily occurrences of Providence.  
2. None shall be of this Society, but such as own and manifest themselves to be members of the Established Church of Ireland, and frequent as often as conveniently they can, the Liturgy and holy Offices of the said Church, and such as do not frequent, nor join with any other Church dissenting from it.  
3. Every member of this Society shall come every Lord's-Day to the place appointed for the meeting of the Society, as soon as Evening Prayer and Sermon is over; and if it can be done conveniently, about eight a Clock also in the morning: and there must behave himself according to the method prescribed in this case. But if any man absent himself, he must give his reason for it at the next meeting; and if he absent himself habitually, he must be proceeded against according to the 5th Rule.  
4. All the power of every Society consists in the votes of the majority or greater number. But because it is not couvenient upon every trifling matter to proceed to votes, and also that confusion may be avoided, it will be necessary to choose a Steward or Moderator once every quarter of a year, out of those members that are of longest standing in the Society: and to leave to him the ordering, and managing, and propounding, and executing of business. But if he does any thing which others of the Society do not approve of, they may proceed to votes, and order it according to the desire of the majority. The Steward is to be the Prelector at their devotion, and he may name his successor, as the custom has been: but if any one objects against him, he must be chosen by votes.  
5. In the case of scandalous conversation, or any crime whatsoever, the person offending is to be privately advised and admonished by his friends in the Society to reform, and show his penitence by his future behaviour. But if they cannot prevail, the Steward, with the consent of the Society, is to pass a public censure upon him, and warn him against a certain time, to assure the Society of his sincere repentance and reformation: And if he shall continue impenitent, he shall be ordered to withdraw, and not be admitted again till he be fit for it, and earnestly desire it.  
6. No man is to be admitted into the Society before a quarter of a years trial, in which time he must be present at their meeting, but has no power nor vote in any affair: and at his admission he may be desired by the Steward, to tell the Society the reasons why he would be admitted a member of it.  
7. Every member of this Society must endeavour to make other persons of his acquaintance virtuous, and religious, and wise to salvation. But he must not bring any such man to the place of meeting, without leave first obtained from the Society.  
8. He must solemnly offer up his private devotions to God Almighty, at least every morning, and every night: and in his Prayers crave a blessing upon the Societies.  
9 'Tis convenient that every man keep a Fast privately once a month, if at his own disposal; and for this, to choose a time which the Church has appointed for Fasting.  
10. Every member is required to receive the Sacrament of the Lord's-Supper, if possible, once a month, in his own Parish-Church; and should endeavour to use himself in time to a more frequent observation of that holy solemnity.  
11. The members of this Society must visit and assist their Brethren when they are sick, or under any other affliction; and as often as they have opportunity, they must show the like Charity to all other men according to their abilities.  
12. They must carefully shun all wicked company: but if it cannot be avoided, they must take care not to show any sinful compliance; but to express their dislike or abhorrence, if any sin be committed in word or deed by any one in their company: They must altogether abstain from Gaming houses & other sinful places, and as seldom as possible be at any public Houses, such as Alehouses and Taverns; and when they are there, to avoid carefully all intemperance.  
13. When any of 'em meet together, they shall take all occasions to promote religious discourses, and not meddle with matters of Government, or any unnecessary disputes and controversies.  
14. There are some particular Vices which they must take a special care to avoid; such as spiritual pride, and the effects of it; as railing, anger, peevishness, and impatience of contradiction; and such also is the sin of injustice in their deal and contracts; which if it be not carefully avoided, will make all religious Societies scandalous, and more hurtful than advantageous to Religion.  
15. The members of these Societies must take great care of giving others an occasion of censuring them, by any affected gesture, carriage, or discourse in their ordinary conversation.  
16. If any dispute happens between two members, the rest shall endeavour to reconcile 'em. But if any great and dangerous difference should happen which cannot well be decided and ended among themselves, they shall all be obliged to stand to the judgement of their Parish Minister, and if he cannot end the Controversy, they must finally appeal to the Bishop of the Diocese.  
17. The Societies have power to make such Rules among themselves, as shall appear hereafter to be necessary or convenient, with the approbation of the Bishop.  
FINIS.