Selected quad for the lemma: justice_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
justice_n	commission_n	peace_n	session_n	2,574	5	10.6777	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A89544	The reformed gentleman, or, The old English morals rescued from the immoralities of the present age shewing how inconsistent those pretended genteel accomplishments of [brace] swearing, drinking, [brace] whoring and Sabbath-breaking are with the true generosity of an English man : being vices not only contrary to the law of God and the constitutions of our government both ecclesiastical and civil, but such as cry loud for vengeance without a speedy reformation : to which is added a modest advice to ministers and civil magistrates, with an abridgement of the laws relating thereto, the King's proclamation and Queens letter to the justices of Middlesex, with their several orders thereupon / by A.M. of the Church of England.	A. M., of the Church of England.; Bouche, Peter Paul, b. ca. 1646.	1693 (1693)	Wing M6; ESTC R20084	100,071	189

Inform our Judgment nor Influence our Manners but only help us to call Names and to cast Dirt into one anothers Faces How much better would it be for all sides to forbear those Opprobrious Titles of Calvinist and Arminian of Antinomian and Antisidian and the like and endeavour to do that which might make us worthy of that one Glorious Name of Christian Could I but see that Spirit of Unity and Concord maintained in the Bond of Peace could I but see the Primitive Golden days return once more upou the Stage I should with a Chearful Heart like Old Simeon sing my nunc Dimittis too One that knows what Laws we have against Prophane Swearing and Cursing against Drunkenness and Prophanation of the Lords-Day made with such Care by the Legislators of former Ages and Commanded to be put in Execution by the Zealous Princes of This would wonder that the Civil Magistrate should need one Word more to put him in Mind of Discharging his Duty But notwithstanding they have Statutes made to their very hands and have had as much Incitements from Above as Injunctions and a Royal Command comes to yet we find matters at the same stand they were in when we had no such Opportunities put into our Hands To think any Justice of Peace ignorant of his Duty would be to charge him with want of Common Prudence an affront I would not lay at any Mans Door But I am more inclined to think that 't is want of Zeal which makes so many remiss and negligent in the Discharge of that Trust which the Higher Power has Committed to them To such therefore as are Backward in their Offfice I shall beg leave to offer some few Considerations which perhaps may prove Motives to stir them up to a Vigorous Execution of the Laws now in force against that horrid Prophaness and Debauchery which has overspread this unhappy Church and Nation And first consider what 't is God and Religion requires at your Hands He that raiseth up whom he will and casteth them down again at his pleasure has not placed you in those Posts to make a great Figure of you and for nothing else He requires you should be as much concerned for the Advancing of his Glory as you are for your own private Interests 'T is as much your Duty to punish an Offence against God as to punish a Crime against the Publick and yet we see the one Connived at whilst the other is prosecuted with the utmost R●gor But is it not a burning shame that the daily Affronts and Blasphemies offered against Heaven should be passed by with silence when at the same time a Lessening Expression against a Prince a single Calumny against your selves or a Scurrilous Reflection cast upon a Private Person shall meet with all the Severity the Law in its Largest Extent will allow of But Secondly Consider what 't is you owe your Princes from whence you derive your Authority The Commission they have given you extends to the offences mentioned in the foregoing Treatise as well as to any other whatsoever And as if that were not sufficient how car●ful have they been by Letters and Proclamations to put you in mind of your Duty in this Particular And can you Affront their Authority by slighting and contemning their Orders and Injunctions Think what a base reflection you cast upon them and how uncivil to say no worse you have been by your Connivance and Neglect Thirdly Consider what 't is your Country requires of you She expects you should not stand as Cyphers nor bear the Sword of Justice in Vain but that you should administer it to the punishment of Wickedness and Vice and to the maintenance of true Religion and Virtue Those who among the Romans Rescued the Common-wealth from Tyranny and Oppression were justly stiled Fathers of their Country our Kingdom is at present overawed with the Tyranny of Prophaness and Debauchery and none but God knows what the fatal consequences of it may prove Now if you would Gentlemen undertake an Enterprize worthy English Men and Christians if you desire the Peace and Tranquility of your Country and would do something that might render your Memories famous to succeeding Generations you can do nothing better than in your several Stations to Redeem the Nation from the Thraldom of those Pernicious Vices under which it lies and so Divert those Judgements we have just cause to fear will fall upon us if we continue Obstinate and Rebellious But Lastly that it may not be too long Consider what 't is your Oaths taken with all the Solemnity Imaginable oblige you to I shall not here repeat at length all that a Justice of Peace is bound to do it may suffice to take notice that he is engaged to Convict all Offenders against the known Statutes of the Realm of which he shall have any Cognizance and not to refuse upon Due and Lawful Information to bring any Offender to Condign Punishment out of Fear Partiality Prejudice or Interest I hope there is scarce a Gentleman in the Commission of the Peace but will lay these things to heart and will not when he Considers seriously what it is that God their Majesties his Country and his own Conscience exacts from him be any more negligent in the Discharge of that Trust which is reposed in him I have been warm in this point but withall as short and as modest as possible I hope the Gentlemen will pardon the little sallies of a well grounded and well-intended Zeal since my Design was not to affront any but purely to excite those who have been hitherto Remiss to be more vigorous in Executing the Laws against Prophaness and Debauchery for the future So that not one Tittle of this Discourse is directed to such Worthy Persons who tho too few in number are in the Commission of the Peace all over the Kingdom and have given sufficient Testimony of their Prudence and Zeal by those excellent Orders of Sessions which here and there have been issued out in those Places where the Good have been the Prevailing Party But how can the Justices of Peace suppress those Immoralities since let them be never so forward 't is impossible for them to know of every offence unless the under Officers whose Duty it is to make enquiry after the Breach of the Laws give in their Informations And that tho they may issue out their Warrants yet if the Constable or Overseer or any other Officer be negligent in executing them what will their Care signifie To which I answer that 't is too notorious how Careless and Remiss all under Officers are as well in giving in their Informations as in executing the Warrants and Levying the Penalties accordingly and 't is no wonder they should be so since they are like to get nothing by their Office but hard Words and a few Curses which is but a small Encouragement to those little hearted Creatures who for the most part know not what the

Pleasure or Profit of a Good Conscience resulting from an Honest discharge of Duty means However this their Neglect excuses not the Justice but rather reflects upon his Conduct who will not when 't is in his Power make those Instruments of Justice more Careful and Diligent in their Respective Offices For there are Laws whereby he may correct their Negligence as well as any other Crime whatsoever That these Inferiour Officers may not pretend Ignorance I have hereunto subjoyned an Abridgment of those Statutes which are now in force against the daring Wickedness of these times which may not only be of some use to them to inform them of part of their Duty but also may be serviceable to others who either have not mony enough to buy or not time enough to run over the Voluminous Statute Book I have likewise added the Queens Letter to the Justices of Middlesex their Order thereupon and their Majesties Proclamation since to shew what Encouragement we have from them to set about a Speedy Reformation Against Prophane Swearing and Cursing 21 Jac. 1. Cap. 20. FOrasmuch as all Prophane Swearing and Cursing is forbidden by the Word of God Be it Enacted c. That no Person shall prophanely Swear or Curse and that it any person shall be convicted of the said Offence in the hearing of any Iustice of the ●eace Mayor Bayliff or Head-Officer of any City or Town Corporate or by the Oaths of two Witnesses or by the Confession of the Offender before any Iustice of Peace Mayor c. Then the Party for every such Offence of which he is Lawfully Convicted as aforesaid shall forfeit the sum of twelve pence to the use of the Poor of the Parish where the Offence shall be committed which sum the Constable Church-Wardens and Overseers of the Poor of that Parish shall Levy by Distress and Sale of Goods rendring the Overplus to the Offender And in Default of such Distress the Offender if above the Age of twelve years shall stand in the Stocks for every such Offence the space of three hours if under the age of twelve years then the Party shall be whipped by the Constable or by the Parent or Master in his Presence That if any Officer be sued for Levying the Penalty or for Whipping or setting in the Stocks then the said Officer shall plead the General Issue and if it is found against the Plaintiff then the Officer as Defendant shall be allowed Costs Provided That the Offence be Complain'd of within twenty days after it be Committed Be it further enacted That this Statute be read twice every year in every Parish Church by the Minister after Evening Prayer 3. Car. 1. Cap. 4. this Statute was continued And 17. Car. 1. Cap. 4. Made perpetual Against Perjury 2 Eliz. Cap. 9. BE it Enacted that whosoever shall suborn or procure any Witnesses by any sinister and vnlawful means to give any Evidence or to Testifie In perpetuam rei memoriam before any Court of Record shall for the said offence upon Lawful Conviction thereof forfeit the Sum of Forty Pounds and in Defect of such Forfeiture shall suffer Imprisonment for the space of six Months without Bail or Mainprise and stand in the Pillory for the space of one whole Hour That no such Offender be thenceforward Received as a Witness before any Court of Iustice till such Iudgment given against him be reversed That whoever shall Commit any Wilful Perjury by his Depositions in any Court of Record aforesaid being examined Ad perpetuam Rei Memoriam shall being Lawfully Convicted of such Offence forfeit the Sum of twenty Pounds and suffer Imprisonment for six Months without Bail or Mainprise and be disabled for ever after from being a Witness till the Iudgment against him be Reversed That in defect of suth Forfeiture of twenty Pounds every such Offender shall stand in the Pillory and have both his Ears nailed That the one Moiety of the Forfeiture aforesaid go to the Crown the other Moyety to the Person or Persons that shall be wronged by such Offence and who will sue for the same That the Iudge of such Courts where the Offence is committed the Iustices of Assize and Goal Delivery in their several Circuits and the Iustices of Peace in every County shall have Authority to determine the Offences aforesaid That the Iustices of Assize of every Circuit shall make open Proclamation of this Statute twice a year viz. in the time of their Sittings so that none may plead Ignorance of the same Provided that this Statute extend not to any Court Ecclesiastical nor to the Restraining the Power given by Act of Parliament made in the time of King Henry the seventh to the Lord Chancellor of England and others of the Kings Council 29 Eliz. 5. made perpetual 1 Jac. 1. Cap. 5. Continued And 21 Jac. 1. 28. Against Drunkenness and Tipling 4 Jac. 1. Cap. 5. FOrasmuch as Drunkenness is the Root and Foundation of all other Enormous Sins as Murder Fornication Adul●●ry and the like Be it Enacted that whosoever shall be Convicted thereof by the Oath of one or more Lawful Witnesses shall for the said Offence forfeit the sum of five shillings within one week next after the Offence to the use of the Poor of the same parish which penalty if the Offender re●use or neglect to pay then Distress to be made upon his Goods and in Default of such Distress he shall stand in the Stocks the space of six hours That if any Constable or other Inferior Officer of the Parish where the Offence is committed shall negl●ct the due correction of such Offender then every Officer so offending shall forfeit the sum of ten shillings to the use of the Poor aforesaid to be levied by Distress by any other person having a Iustices or any other Head-Officers Warrant That every one who shall be convicted of Tipling in any Inn Victualing House or Ale-House being in the same City Town Village or Hamlet of which they are Inhabitants saving in the cases provided and limited by one Act of Parliament made in the first Session of this present Parliament shall for every such Offence forfeit the sum of three shillings and four pence to the use of the Poor of that parish where the Offence shall be committed and in Default of such Forfeiture the Offender shall stand in the Stocks the spacr of four hours That all such Offences be diligently enquired into and presented before the Iustices in their several Circuits the Iustices of Peace in their Quarter or petty-Petty-Sessions the Mayors Bayliffs and other Head-Officers by all Constables Church Wardens Headborroughs Tithingmen Ale-Conners and Sidesmen according to their Charge in their Oaths That for their second Offence of Drunkenness the party be bound over to his Good Behaviour Provided that this Statute extend not to restrain the Ecclesiastical Iurisdiction nor to prejudice the Liberties of the two Vniversities Prov●ded also that no man be punished twice for the same Offence and

straightly Require Charge and Command all and singular our Iudges Mayors Sheriffs Iustices of the Peace and all other Officers Ecclesiastical and Civil in their respective stations to execute the Laws against Blasphemy prophane Swearing and Cursing Drunkenness Lewdness prophanation of the Lords-Day or any other dissolute immoral or disorderly practices as they will answer it to Almighty God and upon pain of our highest Displeasure And for the more effectual proceedings herein we do hereby Direct and Command our Iudges of Assizes and Iustices of the Peace to give strict Charges at the respective Assizes and Sessions for the due prosecution and punishment of all persons that shall presume to offend in any the kinds aforesaid And also of all persons that contrary to their Duty shall be Remiss or Negligent in putting the said Laws in Execution FINIS A Catalogue of some New Books the three first never Published before this Michalmas Term. 1692. and most of the others published but a little before in the same year all Printed for and Sold by Tho. Salusbury at the King's Arms next St. Dunstan's Church in Fleetstreet THE Reformed Gentleman or the Old English Morals rescued from the Immoralities of the present Age shewing how inconsistent those pretended Genteel Accomplishments of Swearing Drinking Whoring and Sabbath breaking are with the true Generosity of an Englishman With an account of the proceedings of the Government for the Reformation of Manners By A. M. of the Church of England bound in 8o. price 1 s 6 d. 2. An Essay against Vnequal Marriages in four Chapters 1. The Introduction 2. Against Old Persons Marrying with Young 3 Against Persons Marrying without Parents or Friends Consent 4. Ag inst Persons Marrying without their own Consent By S. Bufford Gent in 12o. bound price 1 s. 3. The Parsons Vade Mecum or A Treatise containing Choice Observations about the accounts of the year Moveable Feasts Ember-weeks Ecclesiastical Censures the memorable Things in the three first Centuries and some after Ages Archbishops and Bishopricks their Election Consecration Installment c. Patronag●● Institution Induction Non residence Dispensations Pluralities Deprivation Dilapidation Priviledges of Clergymen Tithes and Simony very fit for all Clergymen and Gentlemen in 12o. bound price 1 s. 4. The Measurers Guide or the whole Art of Measuring made short plain and easie shewing how to measure any plain Superficies all sorts of Regular Solids Artificers Works viz. Carpenters Joyners Plaisterers Painters Paviers Glaziers Bricklayers Tylers c. with the Art of Gauging of singular Use to all Gentlemen Artificers and others By J. Barker in 12o. bound price 1 s. 5. Taxilla or Love preferred before Duty a Novel By D.W. Gent. 12o. bound price 1 s. 6. Eachards Gazetteers or Newsmans Interpreters being a Geographical Index of all Cities Towns c. in Europe with their distances from each other and to what Prince they are now subject to very necessary for the right understanding of all Forreign and Domestick News Letters and Gazetts 12o. bound price 2 s. 7. A most Compleat ●ompendium of Geography General and Special describing all the Empire Kingdoms and Dominions in the whole World collected according to the latest Discoverys and agreeing with the choicest and newest Maps 12o. bound price 1 s. 6 d. 8. Exact Description of Ireland Survey●ng all its Provinces and Countie shewing the exact state of that Kingdom and all the principal Thin●s that are necessary to be known Illustrated with five Maps one of the whole Kingdom the others of each particular Province 12o. bound price 1 s. 6 d. 9. Flanders or the Spanish Netherlands most accurately described shewing the several Provinces their Bounds Dimensions Rivers Riches and Strength with an exact description of the Cities and who they are at present subject to very necessary for the understanding the Wars in those Countries 12o. bound price 1 s. 10. The Duke of Savoy's Dominions most accurately described with some adjacent parts shewing all that is necessary to be known and very useful for the understanding of the pre●ent War in those parts price 3 d. The five last all done by Laurance Eachard A. B. of Christ's Colledge in Cambridge 11. Nomo AEXIKON A Law-Dictionary interpreting such difficult and obscure Words and Terms as are found either in our Common or Statute Ancient or Modern Laws with References to the several Statutes Records Registers Law-Books Charters Ancient Deeds and Manuscripts wherein the words are used being the very best extant the Second Edition By Tho. Blunt of the Inner-Temple Esq in Folio bound price 10 s. A Treatise of Civil Bonds and Contracts and the Nature Causes and Effects of Suretiships with Cautions against it By R. A Gent. 8o. bound price 1 s. 6 d. 13. Tryon's New Art of Brewing Beer Al●● and other sorts of Liquors so as to render them more healthful to the body and agreeable to Nature with less Trouble and Charge than generally practised with the Art of making Mault The third Edition 12o. bound price 1 s. 14. Wisdom Dictates or Rules Physical and Moral for preserving the health of the Body and the peace of the Mind fit to be regarded by all that would enjoy the blessings of this world To which is added a Bill of Fare of 75 Noble Dishes of excellent Food without either Fish or Flesh 12o. bound price 1 s. 15. Pythagoras's Mystick Philosophy revived or the Mistery of Dreams and Visions unfolded wherein the Causes Natures and Uses of Nocturnal Representations and the Communications of good and evil Angels are Theosophically unfolded 8o. bound price 1 s. 6 d. 16. A New Art of making above 20 sorts of English Wines Brandy and other Spirits more pleasant and agreeable than those of France illustrated by the Doctrine of Fermentation and Distillation by Curious Examples on the growth and product of this Island 12o. bound price 1 s. 6 d. 17. Chymicus Rationalis or the Fundamental Grounds of the Chymical Art rationally stated and demonstrated by various Examples in Distillation Rectification and Exaltation of Wines Spirits Tinctures Oyls Salts Powers and Oleosmus in such a Method as to retain the Specifick Vertues of Concreets in the greatest power and force 8o. bound 2 s. 18. Jacob Behmens Theosophick Philosophy unfolded in divers Considerations and Demonstrations shewing the Verity and Utility of the several Doctrines contained in the writings of that Author with an Abridgment of his Works ●y E. Taylor 4o. bound price 6 s. 19. Arithmetical Rules Digested and Contracted made plain and easie for the help and benefit of the Memory very necessary for all Gentlemen and Tradsmen as for Youth and Aprent ces in Merchantile Affairs 12o. bound price 1 s. 20. The Safety of France is Monsieur the Dauphin or the Secret History of the French King proving that there is no other way to secure France from approaching ruin but by deposing his Father for a Tyrant and Destroyer of his People Done out of French 12o. bound price 1 s. 21. The History of the late great Revolution in England and Scotland with the Causes and Means by which it was accomplished with a particular account of the Extraordinary Occurrences which hapned thereupon as likewise the settlement of both the Kingdoms under their most serene Majesties King William and Queen Mary with a List of the Convention 8o. bound price 5 s. 22. Remarks on the Dream of the late Abdicated Queen of England and upon that of Madam the Dutches of Lavalee● late Mistress to the French King wherein is plainly shewed the late successes of King William in Ireland as likewise his future successes in France with the miserable end of the French King translated out of French 4o. price 6 d. 23. A Collection of the Famous Mr. George Whither 's Wonderful Prophesies relating to the English Nation and Government many of which not yet fulfilled 4o. 6 d. 24. Ecclesia Reviviscens A Poem or a short account of the Rise Progress and Present State of the New Reformation of Manners B● a late Gentleman of the Temple 4. 6 d. 25. Gilbert R●les's President of the Scots Assemblies his Vindication of the Church of Scotland from the Aspertions and Calumnies of the Jacobites and Grumbleronians 4. 6 d. 26. Miscellany Poems viz. Rem●r●s on the Death of King Charles and the succession of King James the Second upon Faith upon Patience upon Ambition to the University of Oxford The Soul to a Good Conscience the Soul to a Bad Conscience By J. Whitchall 4. 6 d. 27. Bragadoci● A Comedy by a Person of Quality 4. 1 s. 28. The Vadois Declaration to all Christian Princes and States of the Reasons of their taking up Arms and putting themselves under the Protection of King William 4. 2 d. FINIS

his own Friend to be sure for he not only exposes himself to the Penalties of Human Laws if his Rnavery should be found out but imprecates upon himself all the Punishments and Curses which God usually inflicts upon the Wretch even in this Life and which without Repentance will be his Portion in the next And how great those Judgments are is next to be considered The Second Motive from the Greatness of the punishment which is either Human or Divine 29. So far is the Profligate Criminal from escaping punishment that all the Laws both Human and Divine are ready to lay hold of him How strict our Constitutions are against this Impiety if any one will consult * 5 Eliz. Cap. 9. Made perpetual 29. Eliz. Cap. 5. those Statutes made and Provided in this case will be manifest The Heathen when willing to express a Religious Man would Title him only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Man of his Word And when they described a Wicked Man did think him fully delineated when they called him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Perjurious No milder a Brand does the Wretch receive from the Law according to our general Acceptation of the thing For besides Fines Imprisonments and the Pillory he has as Ignominious a Character as a Heretick or Infidel being as uncapable as them of bearing any Office of assisting at any honourable Court or giving his Evidence in any Cause 30. But admit he may escape undiscerned by Mortal Eyes Gods Judgments upon the Perjurious in this Life or if found out that he is so hardned in his Impiety that th●●asest stigma cannot shame him that Fines and Penalties that the Prison and Pillory cannot startle him to his Amendment yet I trust he is not so past Cure that the Judgments of the Lord cannot prevail upon him And herein God glorifies and signalizes his Justice in a Wonderful Manner He doth not will not hold them Guiltless that take his Name in Vain He pays them home in their own Coyn as the Common expression is even in this Life Instances of this truth there are enough even within the Compass of a short review and there is no need to run over any other Annals but our own Experience and knowledge for satisfaction in this point How many I will forbear mentioning particular Names have there been whom God's hand has smitten in a more immediate manner punishing the Offence in the very Moment of its Commission How many dreadful spectacles have there been of those whom Divine Vengeance has not hurried away but left according to their Wishes standing Monuments of his Justice to die by a fearful and lingring Disease by some plague or another which has consumed them as it were piece-meal How many others are there who carry in their own Breasts their Hell upon Earth And on those I cannot forbear bestowing a Melancholy thought or two and Commiserate their most miserable Condition Whatsoever the Heathens might relate of the Perjured's being visited by the Furies every fifth day 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to that of Hesiod Whatever Poets feign of Prometheus Vultur or Ixions Wheel are even on this side the Stygian Lake verified with a Witness These poor Wretches are lashed with the Twinges of a self accusing Conscience whose strokes are more piercing then all the snaky Whips and pointed Scorpions are This Worm gnaws with a greater Appetite and makes a Deeper Impression in the Sinners Bosom then the Devouring Fowl could ever upon the others Bowels And the continual round of endless Despair leaves him in such a Labyrinth that every step he advances towards the Ridding himself out of it intricates him the more therein Nor does the punishment always terminate in the Person but his Posterity more or less feel the sad Effects of their Predecessors perfidiousness This is too Visible to need any farther Illustration saving from the Example of that Great Man who entailed a Curse to his Family for the non-performance of a Thing he had engaged himself by an Oath to have done He was I presume more a Christian then that we should doubt of his not repenting of the thing himself yet the Misfortunes of his Posterity loudly proclaim the Almighties Displeasure at that Offence 31. Thus far of the Miserie 's incident to the perjurious in this Life God's Judgments upon the Perjured in another Life but what will his Portion be in that Lake of Fire and Brimstone I am struck with horror at the very thoughts thereof Methinks I see him ranked there with the most Black Infernal Devils howling and shrieking through the very anguish of his Spirits There is he Convinced tho' too late of God's Justice towards such profane Wretches There he is Sensible how damnable a false Heart a double Tongue and unhallowed Lips are There he would wish those torments were but Notion and the Fire were but Painted and the flames but Visionary as he often has thought while on Earth but to his Cost he finds the Reality of them and will for ever acknowledge the Eternity of them too In that Prison that Dungeon of Everlasting misery he has a full view of the Black Kalendar of Criminals and sees the Catalogue of offences of which Profane Swearing and Cursing Blasphemy and Perjury are not the Last nor least not with Repenting but eternally despairing Eyes 32. And are not these thoughts terrible enough in all Conscience to melt down the most Adamantine Heart Can it be imagined that men are so flinty and Obdurate as that neither a Sense of their Guilt nor an Esteem they may have for their Reputation nor the fear of Human punishments much more of God's Temporal and Eternal Judgments can win upon them to repent of their Evil ways He is certainly possessed with a stupidity beyond that of Lethargy who can live and forswear himself with Hell Flames about his Ears notwithstanding the insupportable Wrath of a justly incensed and provoked Judge is ready to seize him and hale him before the Judgment Seat of that strict Tribunal who will leave no Sin unpunished tho' never so much palliated and glossed over with the thin Varnish of weak human Excuses and Evasions Repent then oh Man whosoever thou art and perjure thy self no more Let the time past suffice that thou hast broken thy Vows and Promises and for the future make thy Vows unto the Lord of an Amendment of thy Life and be sure to see them performed Of Drunkenness CHAP. II. The Origine of this Sin traced How and wherein 〈◊〉 Difficulty of exactly defining it consists Drunkenn● described by its Effects and the reasonableness such a Description considered in four Particula● The false Ends of Drinking Answered A Deb●tation drawn from the Effects of this Sin which 〈◊〉 1. The Breach of that Duty we owe to God our Neig●bour and our selves 2. The advancing Satans Kin●dom thereby 3. The cause of many other Sins A● 4. The making us Obnoxious to the Woes in Holy

that none be punished but what are convicted within the space of six months after the Offence is committed This Statute made perpetual 21 Jac. 1. Cap. 7. Against the Prophanation of the Lords-Day commonly called Sunday 29 Car. 2. ALL Laws in force concerning the Observation of the Lord's Day are to be put in execution This day is by every one 1 Will. and Mary to be sanctified and kept holy and all Persons must be careful herein to exercise themselves in the Duties of Piety and true Religion publickly and every one on this day not having a reasonable Excuse must diligently resort to some publick place where the service of God is exercised or must be present at some other place allowed of by Law in the Practice of some Religious Duty either of Prayer Preaching Reading or Expounding of the Scriptures or Conference upon the same as also privately Such as repair not to Church c. on Sundays and Holy-days one Witness Twelve Pence for every default to be levied by destress or to be committed to some Prison until the same be paid 1 Eliz. 23 Eliz. 3 Jac. Cap. 1. 19 Eliz. Cap. 1. Absenting for a Month If a twelve month or more twenty pounds per month and forfeiture of two parts in three of their Estates If any come not to the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper once a year Their Names and Surnames to be presented Forty Shillings reward to such as present them 3 Jac. Cap. 4. None shall speak or do any thing in Contempt of the most Holy Sacrament By Oath of two lawful Witnesses by three Iustices Quorum un to be bound over and prosecuted in Sessions 1 Ed. 6. Cap. 1. Whosoever shall disturb any Preacher allowed in his open Sermon or Collation or be procuring or abetting thereunto or shall rescue c. any Offender c. Accusation must by two Witnesses or Confession To be committed by any Iustice of the County to safe Custody and within six days the said committing Iustice with one other Iustice if the Offender upon examination shall be found Guilty shall commit him to Goal without Bail c. for three Months and farther to the next Quarter Sessions 1 M. Cap. 3. Such as meet or assemble out of their own Parish upon the Lord's Day for any Sports or Pastimes whatsoever or such as shal use any unlawful Exercise or Pastime in their own Parish upon the Lord's day three shillings and four pence to the Poor where c. to be levied by distress and sale restoring the Overplus c. and for want of distress to be sent to the Stocks for three hours but they must be questioned within a month 1 Car. Cap. 1. 3 Car. Cap. 4. If any Carrier Waggoner c. with Horse Wain or Cart or Drover with Cattle shall travel upon the Lord's Day by themselves or any other for them twenty shillings for every offence to be levied by distress and sale to the use of the poor 3 Car. Cap. 1. If any Butcher or any other for him shall kill or sell any Victuals upon the Sunday one Witness view or Confession He shall forfeit six shillings and eight pence if questioned within six months to be levied c. or may be sued for in Sessions c. 3 Car. Cap. 1. If any Shoe-maker shall go with intent to sell any Boots Shoes c. on the Sunday He shall forfeit such Goods and three shillings and four pence for every pair 1 Jac. Cap. 22. If any person of the age of fourteen shall on the Lord's Day or any part thereof do any worldly labour c. except works of Nececessity and Charity shall forfeit five shillings for every offence 29 Car 2. Cap. 7. If any person shall cry shew forth or put to sale any Wares Fruit Goods c. except Milk only before the hours of nine in the morning and after four in the afternoon He shall forfeit the said Wares Fruite Goods c. to the use of the poor 29 Car. 2. Cap. 7. No Drover Horse-courser Waggoner Butcher Higler or any of their servants shall travel or come to their Inns on the Lord's Day shall forfeit twenty shillings for every offence 29 Car. 2. Cap. 6. No person shall use to travel upon the Lord's Day with any Horse Boat Wherry c. except allowed by one Iustice of Peace so to do by View Confession or one witness the fofeitvre is five shillings for every offence The Conviction upon this Statute must be before any Iustice of the County c. who shall give warrant to the Constables c. to seize the Goods shewed c. and to levy the Forfeitures by distress and for want of distress to put the Offender in the Stocks for two hours the Iustices c. may reward the Informer out of the Forfeitures not exceeding the third part 29 Car. 2. Cap. 7. This Act extends not to dressing of Meat inn Cooks Shops Inns or Victualing-Houses The Queens Letter TRusty and Well-beloved We Greet you well Considering the great and indispensible Duty incumbent upon us and to promote and encourage a Reformation of the Manners of all our Subjects that so the Service of God may be advanced and those Blessings be procured to these Nations which always attend a Conscientious Discharge of our respective Duties according to our several Relations We think it necessary in order to the obtaining of this Publick Good to recommend unto you the putting in Execution with all Fidelity and Impartiality those Laws which have been made and are still in force against the Prophanation of the Lords-Day Prophane Swearing and Cursing Drunkenness and all other lewd enormous and disorderly Practices which by a long conntinued Neglect and Connivance of the Magistrates and Officers concerned have universally spread themselves to the Dishonour of God and the Scandal of our Holy Religion wherby it is now become the more necessary for all Persons in Authority to apply themselves with all possible Care and Diligence to the suppressing of the same We do therefore hereby charge and require you to take the most effectual Methods for putting the Laws in Execution against the Crimes above-menioned and all other Sins and Vices particularly those which are most prevailing in this Realm and that especially in such cases where any Officers of Justice shall be guilty of any of those Offences or refuse or neglect to discharge the Duty of his place for the suppressing them that so such Officer by his Punishment may serve for an Example to others And to this end we would have you be careful and diligent in encouraging all Constables Church-wardens Headborroughs and all other Officers and Persons whatsoever to do their part in their several Stations by timely and impartial Informations and Prosecutions against all such Offenders for preventing those Judgments which are solemnly denounced against the Sins above-mentioned We cannot doubt of your performance hereof since it is a Duty to which you are obliged by Oath