word_n or_o the_o method_n of_o his_o providence_n 1._o the_o declaration_n of_o his_o word_n solomon_n say_v righteousness_n will_v exalt_v a_o nation_n but_o sin_n be_v the_o reproach_n and_o will_v be_v the_o ruin_n of_o any_o people_n the_o prophet_n esay_n tell_v the_o jew_n isa_n 1._o if_o they_o be_v willing_a and_o obedient_a they_o shall_v eat_v the_o good_a of_o the_o land_n but_o if_o they_o refuse_v and_o rebel_n they_o shall_v be_v devour_v with_o the_o sword_n but_o scripture_n to_o this_o purpose_n be_v so_o numerous_a that_o it_o be_v needless_a to_o insist_v upon_o they_o it_o be_v true_a the_o sin_n and_o impiety_n of_o wicked_a man_n have_v of_o themselves_o at_o least_o many_o of_o they_o a_o most_o pernicious_a influence_n upon_o the_o public_a good_n saint_n james_n tell_v we_o most_o of_o those_o war_n and_o confusion_n that_o infest_v the_o world_n spring_v original_o from_o man_n lust_n that_o war_n in_o their_o member_n for_o instance_n a_o prodigal_a and_o 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the_o most_o contemptible_a people_n to_o be_v their_o oppressor_n so_o that_o as_o it_o be_v very_o fit_a that_o god_n shall_v so_o we_o see_v he_o have_v and_o may_v be_v sure_a soon_o or_o late_a he_o will_v visit_v for_o the_o wickedness_n of_o a_o people_n well_o if_o these_o thing_n be_v so_o how_o just_o may_v we_o of_o these_o nation_n expect_v the_o sharp_a visitation_n how_o may_v we_o wonder_v at_o the_o goodness_n and_o patience_n of_o that_o god_n that_o be_v yet_o please_v to_o prolong_v our_o tranquillity_n god_n after_o all_o his_o other_o gracious_a dispensation_n have_v late_o give_v we_o a_o happy_a peace_n he_o seem_v incline_v to_o try_v we_o a_o little_a long_o whether_o the_o mild_a method_n of_o his_o mercy_n will_v work_v upon_o we_o to_o a_o general_a repentance_n and_o reformation_n but_o it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v we_o shall_v do_v as_o we_o have_v often_o do_v before_o not_o become_v the_o better_a but_o rather_o the_o worse_a for_o his_o mercy_n it_o be_v 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not_o be_v destruction_n too_o we_o want_v not_o indeed_o in_o this_o age_n a_o useful_a and_o practical_a way_n of_o preach_v and_o such_o as_o may_v recommend_v itself_o to_o the_o reason_n as_o well_o as_o work_v upon_o the_o passion_n of_o mankind_n we_o have_v the_o great_a thing_n of_o another_o world_n lively_o lay_v before_o we_o and_o the_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o a_o good_a life_n daily_o press_v upon_o we_o but_o the_o age_n be_v proof_n against_o the_o voice_n of_o the_o charmer_n charm_v he_o never_o so_o wise_o we_o be_v bold_o tell_v by_o some_o they_o look_v upon_o the_o great_a thing_n of_o our_o religion_n but_o as_o idle_a tale_n with_o public_a allowance_n and_o a_o great_a many_o other_o though_o they_o do_v not_o speak_v out_o yet_o plain_o live_v as_o if_o they_o have_v the_o same_o opinion_n of_o they_o so_o that_o i_o fear_v infidelity_n be_v spread_v further_o than_o we_o be_v aware_a of_o and_o if_o there_o shall_v be_v thus_o a_o fault_n in_o the_o spring_n there_o be_v like_a to_o be_v no_o regular_a motion_n in_o the_o whole_a machine_n and_o no_o wonder_n if_o the_o generality_n of_o man_n swim_v down_o the_o stream_n of_o popular_a wickedness_n and_o follow_v a_o multitude_n to_o do_v evil._n in_o such_o a_o case_n as_o this_o it_o be_v high_o necessary_a to_o call_v in_o the_o assistance_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n and_o it_o be_v very_o much_o his_o interest_n as_o well_o as_o duty_n to_o maintain_v the_o cause_n of_o religion_n and_o to_o punish_v open_a and_o scandalous_a impiety_n if_o the_o terror_n of_o the_o lord_n will_v not_o prevail_v with_o man_n to_o become_v good_a christian_n the_o terror_n of_o the_o law_n may_v make_v they_o tolerable_a men._n and_o though_o the_o inflict_a of_o legal_a penalty_n may_v not_o make_v man_n so_o good_a as_o they_o shall_v be_v yet_o it_o be_v something_o if_o it_o restrain_v they_o from_o be_v so_o bad_a as_o they_o will_v be_v nor_o do_v this_o imply_v the_o weakness_n and_o insufficiency_n of_o religion_n that_o it_o need_v the_o support_n of_o the_o civil_a power_n but_o only_o argue_v the_o corruption_n of_o humane_a nature_n that_o will_v not_o be_v keep_v in_o bound_n without_o it_o the_o sun_n be_v not_o dark_a though_o man_n may_v shut_v their_o eye_n and_o not_o see_v the_o light_n of_o it_o nor_o be_v thing_n real_o sweet_a to_o be_v account_v bitter_a because_o they_o may_v taste_v so_o to_o some_o vitiate_a palate_n the_o great_a thing_n of_o religion_n be_v such_o as_o be_v apt_a to_o work_v upon_o reasonable_a man_n but_o if_o man_n either_o through_o prejudice_n do_v not_o believe_v or_o through_o carelessness_n do_v not_o consider_v they_o no_o wonder_n if_o they_o do_v not_o prevail_v upon_o they_o the_o lay_v penalty_n upon_o plain_a and_o scandalous_a sin_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v unsuitable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o religion_n that_o it_o be_v a_o debt_n the_o civil_a power_n owe_v to_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o world_n saint_n paul_n rom._n 13._o tell_v we_o that_o ruler_n be_v not_o a_o terror_n to_o good_a work_n but_o to_o the_o evil_a and_o that_o he_o be_v the_o minister_n of_o god_n a_o revenger_n to_o execute_v wrath_n upon_o he_o that_o do_v evil._n that_o be_v a_o good_a ruler_n one_o that_o answer_v the_o design_n of_o his_o office_n will_v be_v so_o how_o this_o can_v be_v without_o the_o enact_v and_o inflict_v of_o some_o penalty_n something_o that_o be_v terrible_a to_o humane_a nature_n be_v not_o easy_a to_o imagine_v for_o the_o bare_a command_n of_o they_o that_o we_o be_v sure_a either_o can_v or_o will_v not_o hurt_v we_o be_v not_o very_o dreadful_a and_o here_o we_o may_v thankful_o acknowledge_v our_o happiness_n that_o the_o law_n be_v yet_o a_o guard_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o legislative_a power_n have_v give_v its_o testimony_n against_o vice_n and_o irreligion_n by_o make_v it_o penal_a to_o be_v guilty_a of_o it_o for_o this_o i_o may_v refer_v you_o to_o the_o many_o act_n of_o parliament_n make_v against_o profaneness_n particular_o that_o against_o swear_v and_o other_o vice_n order_v to_o be_v read_v once_o a_o quarter_n in_o our_o church_n his_o majesty_n likewise_o have_v be_v gracious_o please_v to_o show_v his_o zeal_n for_o the_o work_n of_o reformation_n not_o only_o by_o issue_v out_o his_o royal_a proclamation_n strict_o require_v inferior_a magistrate_n to_o put_v the_o penal_a law_n against_o vice_n and_o profaneness_n in_o execution_n but_o by_o recommend_v it_o more_o than_o once_o to_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o parliament_n to_o take_v yet_o a_o more_o effectual_a course_n to_o stop_v the_o growth_n of_o irreligion_n this_o so_o needful_a work_n of_o
a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o church_n of_o st._n marry_o le_fw-fr bow_o to_o the_o society_n for_o reformation_n of_o manner_n december_n 26._o 1698._o by_o john_n hancock_n d._n d._n chaplain_n to_o his_o grace_n the_o duke_n of_o bedford_n london_n print_v for_o b._n aylmer_n at_o the_o three_o pigeon_n in_o cornhill_n 1699._o to_o the_o society_n for_o reformation_n of_o manner_n in_o the_o city_n of_o london_n and_o westminster_n gentleman_n i_o be_o sensible_a this_o discourse_n be_v too_o mean_a to_o deserve_v the_o good_a opinion_n you_o seem_v to_o have_v of_o it_o when_o you_o desire_v it_o may_v be_v print_v however_o since_o you_o be_v please_v to_o think_v it_o may_v be_v in_o any_o measure_n subservient_fw-fr to_o that_o noble_a design_n you_o have_v in_o hand_n i_o submit_v to_o your_o judgement_n and_o such_o as_o it_o be_v i_o here_o present_v it_o to_o your_o and_o the_o public_a view_n all_o i_o can_v say_v for_o it_o be_v that_o i_o hope_v it_o be_v hearty_a as_o i_o myself_o be_o for_o that_o good_a work_n you_o have_v undertake_v which_o that_o it_o may_v through_o the_o blessing_n of_o god_n prosper_v in_o your_o hand_n that_o you_o may_v have_v all_o encouragement_n from_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n that_o other_o place_n may_v so_o far_o follow_v your_o example_n that_o not_o only_o this_o city_n but_o the_o nation_n may_v find_v the_o happy_a effect_n of_o your_o pious_a zeal_n and_o that_o yourselves_o may_v be_v reward_v for_o it_o even_o in_o this_o world_n as_o i_o doubt_v not_o you_o will_v be_v in_o another_o be_v the_o earnest_a desire_n and_o prayer_n of_o your_o faithful_a servant_n in_o the_o lord_n john_n hancock_n jer_n v._o 29._o shall_v i_o not_o visit_v for_o these_o thing_n shall_v not_o my_o soul_n be_v avenge_v on_o such_o a_o nation_n as_o this_o in_o this_o chapter_n the_o prophet_n make_v a_o very_a lively_a representation_n and_o doleful_a complaint_n of_o the_o general_a defection_n of_o jerusalem_n from_o their_o duty_n this_o he_o express_v first_o in_o general_a term_n ver._n 1._o run_v you_o to_o and_o fro_o through_o the_o street_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o see_v now_o and_o know_v and_o seek_v in_o the_o broad_a place_n thereof_o if_o you_o can_v find_v a_o man_n if_o there_o be_v any_o that_o execute_v judgement_n and_o i_o will_v pardon_v it_o which_o word_n i_o suppose_v must_v be_v understand_v as_o a_o hyperbolical_a expression_n of_o the_o great_a wickedness_n of_o that_o age._n that_o be_v there_o be_v very_o few_o that_o live_v a_o religious_a life_n in_o comparison_n of_o the_o very_a great_a number_n that_o give_v themselves_o up_o to_o all_o impiety_n and_o those_o few_o that_o be_v religious_a be_v so_o discourage_v and_o overbear_v by_o the_o reign_a impiety_n of_o the_o time_n that_o they_o dare_v scarce_o appear_v they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v the_o case_n be_v much_o the_o same_o with_o respect_n to_o impiety_n then_o as_o it_o be_v with_o respect_n to_o idolatry_n in_o the_o time_n of_o abab_n the_o prophet_n think_v there_o be_v none_o that_o keep_v to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n though_o god_n have_v reserve_v to_o himself_o seven_o thousand_o that_o have_v not_o bow_v the_o knee_n to_o the_o image_n of_o baal_n but_o though_o the_o prophet_n can_v find_v no_o religion_n in_o the_o street_n and_o broad_a place_n of_o jerusalem_n among_o the_o common_a people_n he_o impute_v this_o in_o some_o measure_n to_o their_o ignorance_n yet_o it_o seem_v reasonable_a he_o shall_v expect_v other_o thing_n among_o the_o more_o know_v and_o better_a sort_n of_o people_n ver._n 4_o 5._o then_o i_o say_v these_o be_v poor_a they_o be_v foolish_a for_o they_o know_v not_o the_o way_n of_o the_o lord_n nor_o the_o judgement_n of_o their_o god_n i_o will_v get_v i_o to_o the_o great_a man_n and_o will_v speak_v unto_o they_o for_o they_o have_v know_v the_o way_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o judgement_n of_o their_o god_n but_o these_o have_v altogether_o break_v the_o yoke_n and_o burst_v the_o bond_n it_o be_v sad_a to_o hear_v and_o yet_o more_o sad_a it_o shall_v be_v suffer_v the_o oath_n and_o dreadful_a imprecation_n that_o grate_n our_o ear_n as_o we_o walk_v the_o street_n from_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o mean_a sort_n of_o people_n but_o it_o be_v some_o excuse_n that_o some_o of_o they_o perhaps_o know_v no_o better_o but_o that_o the_o rich_a and_o wise_a and_o noble_a that_o have_v more_o knowledge_n and_o better_a breed_n shall_v stoop_v so_o low_a as_o to_o be_v guilty_a of_o such_o mean_a vice_n be_v a_o wonder_n and_o aught_o to_o be_v for_o a_o lamentation_n if_o such_o will_v neither_o consider_v their_o obligation_n to_o god_n to_o their_o country_n or_o to_o their_o own_o honour_n if_o they_o break_v the_o yoke_n of_o god_n law_n and_o burst_v the_o bond_n of_o their_o great_a obligation_n to_o he_o they_o as_o well_o as_o other_o must_v one_o day_n bear_v their_o own_o burden_n then_o the_o prophet_n give_v a_o black_a roll_n of_o the_o impiety_n of_o those_o time_n some_o of_o which_o i_o shall_v take_v notice_n of_o first_o their_o idolatry_n ver_fw-la 7._o how_o shall_v i_o pardon_v thou_o for_o this_o thy_o child_n have_v forsake_v i_o and_o swear_v by_o they_o that_o be_v no_o go_n god_n be_v thank_v we_o have_v not_o yet_o so_o far_o forsake_v god_n as_o to_o swear_v by_o a_o false_a god_n or_o notwithstanding_o the_o late_a hope_n of_o our_o enemy_n to_o worship_v the_o true_a god_n in_o a_o idolatrous_a way_n but_o if_o false_a and_o vain_a swear_v by_o the_o name_n of_o the_o true_a god_n be_v crime_n of_o the_o black_a dye_n the_o one_o we_o see_v and_o the_o other_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o fear_v have_v get_v too_o great_a a_o foot_n among_o we_o second_o their_o adultery_n ver_fw-la 7_o 8._o when_o i_o have_v feed_v they_o to_o the_o full_a they_o assemble_v themselves_o by_o troop_n in_o the_o harlot_n house_n this_o i_o doubt_n be_v but_o too_o true_a a_o description_n of_o our_o time_n but_o we_o be_v call_v from_o the_o thought_n of_o this_o with_o the_o amaze_a news_n of_o some_o among_o we_o that_o be_v sink_v into_o the_o deep_a mire_n with_o the_o very_o worst_a of_o heathen_n as_o the_o apostle_n give_v their_o character_n rom._n 1._o that_o be_v resolve_v to_o be_v wicked_a not_o only_o in_o spite_n of_o reason_n and_o religion_n but_o of_o nature_n too_o if_o any_o more_o of_o these_o can_v be_v discover_v may_v they_o receive_v from_o the_o just_a indignation_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n that_o recompense_n of_o their_o error_n which_o be_v meet_v three_o to_o mention_v no_o more_o he_o reflect_v upon_o their_o incorrigibleness_n under_o all_o god_n deal_n with_o they_o neither_o his_o judgement_n nor_o his_o mercy_n have_v their_o kindly_a work_n upon_o they_o not_o his_o judgement_n ver_fw-la 3._o thou_o have_v strike_v they_o but_o they_o have_v not_o grieve_v thou_o have_v consume_v they_o but_o they_o have_v refuse_v to_o receive_v correction_n not_o his_o mercy_n ver_fw-la 24._o neither_o say_v they_o in_o their_o heart_n let_v we_o now_o fear_v the_o lord_n our_o god_n that_o give_v rain_n the_o former_a and_o the_o latter_a rain_n in_o his_o season_n this_o be_v too_o much_o our_o own_o case_n we_o see_v but_o little_a effect_n as_o to_o all_o the_o various_a dispensation_n of_o god_n to_o these_o nation_n neither_o his_o mercy_n have_v as_o yet_o lead_v we_o nor_o his_o judgement_n fright_v we_o unto_o repentance_n so_o that_o we_o have_v just_a reason_n to_o fear_v be_v may_v say_v of_o we_o as_o he_o do_v here_o of_o the_o jew_n shall_v i_o not_o visit_v for_o these_o thing_n shall_v not_o my_o soul_n be_v avenge_v on_o such_o a_o nation_n as_o this_o shall_v i_o not_o visit_v for_o these_o thing_n when_o at_o any_o time_n sin_n and_o impiety_n become_v common_a and_o almost_o universal_a when_o it_o grow_v bold_a and_o impudent_a when_o man_n declare_v their_o sin_n as_o sodom_n and_o hide_v it_o not_o when_o they_o be_v so_o far_o deprave_v in_o their_o judgement_n as_o to_o defend_v it_o and_o be_v come_v to_o sin_n upon_o principle_n when_o they_o scoff_v at_o religion_n and_o attempt_v by_o pour_v the_o utmost_a contempt_n upon_o it_o to_o drive_v it_o out_o of_o the_o world_n especial_o when_o there_o be_v too_o general_a a_o insensibility_n of_o the_o debauchery_n of_o the_o time_n we_o may_v think_v it_o high_a time_n for_o god_n to_o appear_v in_o vindication_n of_o his_o own_o honour_n from_o the_o contempt_n of_o a_o ungodly_a world_n and_o we_o may_v be_v sure_a soon_o or_o late_a he_o will_v do_v it_o it_o be_v very_o fit_a we_o shall_v expect_v this_o whether_o we_o consider_v the_o declaration_n of_o his_o
reformation_n therefore_o lie_v in_o a_o manner_n at_o our_o own_o door_n two_o thing_n therefore_o be_v requisite_a in_o this_o case_n 1._o that_o those_o that_o have_v any_o power_n or_o authority_n shall_v conscientious_o use_v it_o to_o the_o countenance_v of_o religion_n and_o to_o the_o punishment_n of_o vice_n and_o profaneness_n 2._o that_o all_o of_o we_o in_o our_o several_a station_n and_o according_a to_o our_o opportunity_n and_o ability_n shall_v concur_v with_o they_o and_o put_v our_o hand_n to_o this_o good_a work_n under_o the_o first_o head_n i_o must_v reckon_v parent_n in_o the_o family_n and_o inferior_a magistrate_n in_o the_o commonwealth_n as_o to_o parent_n i_o can_v forbear_v to_o say_v i_o be_o apt_a to_o believe_v that_o their_o neglect_n in_o the_o education_n of_o their_o child_n be_v one_o at_o least_o of_o the_o most_o universal_a cause_n of_o that_o impiety_n that_o reign_v among_o we_o this_o as_o some_o physician_n speak_v of_o the_o natural_a body_n be_v that_o error_n in_o the_o first_o concoction_n that_o be_v not_o to_o be_v thorough_o amend_v in_o the_o second_o when_o family_n that_o be_v the_o element_n of_o the_o body_n politic_a be_v so_o much_o neglect_v and_o so_o far_o corrupt_v the_o constitution_n of_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v very_o crazy_a and_o on_o the_o contrary_a do_v parent_n take_v that_o care_n they_o ought_v to_o give_v their_o child_n a_o timely_a sense_n of_o religion_n of_o their_o duty_n to_o god_n and_o man_n and_o bring_v they_o up_o in_o the_o nurture_n and_o admonition_n of_o the_o lord_n the_o work_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n will_v be_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n do_v to_o his_o hand_n and_o we_o shall_v need_v few_o law_n and_o less_o courage_n and_o resolution_n in_o the_o execution_n of_o they_o 2._o i_o will_v make_v bold_a to_o speak_v a_o word_n to_o those_o that_o be_v subordinate_a magistrate_n in_o the_o state_n that_o they_o will_v with_o zeal_n and_o vigour_n put_v those_o good_a law_n we_o have_v in_o execution_n against_o the_o scandalous_a vice_n of_o the_o age._n that_o they_o will_v take_v all_o occasion_n and_o lie_v hold_v on_o opportunity_n to_o stop_v the_o growth_n of_o impiety_n and_o irreligion_n at_o least_o that_o if_o they_o think_v it_o not_o incumbent_n on_o themselves_o to_o seek_v for_o information_n they_o will_v ready_o and_o cheerful_o receive_v they_o and_o not_o discourage_v those_o who_o pious_a zeal_n prompt_v they_o to_o be_v instrumental_a to_o bring_v enormous_a offender_n to_o punishment_n and_o that_o they_o will_v take_v care_n to_o live_v such_o innocent_a and_o inoffensive_a life_n themselves_o that_o they_o may_v set_v a_o good_a face_n upon_o the_o punishment_n of_o offender_n but_o i_o will_v not_o insist_v too_o long_o on_o this_o i_o shall_v only_o very_o brief_o remind_v they_o how_o much_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o of_o the_o government_n be_v concern_v in_o this_o matter_n that_o they_o be_v under_o the_o oath_n of_o god_n that_o the_o execution_n and_o by_o consequence_n the_o good_a effect_n of_o those_o wholesome_a law_n we_o have_v against_o profaneness_n lie_v in_o a_o manner_n whole_o in_o their_o hand_n and_o the_o miscarriage_n will_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n lie_v at_o their_o door_n that_o they_o have_v a_o opportunity_n of_o do_v a_o act_n of_o the_o great_a charity_n to_o the_o public_a nay_o and_o as_o it_o may_v happen_v to_o the_o offender_n themselves_o and_o last_o the_o immortal_a honour_n that_o will_v accrue_v to_o themselves_o if_o they_o signalise_v themselves_o by_o their_o zeal_n in_o this_o good_a work_n not_o only_o this_o but_o the_o next_o generation_n may_v rise_v up_o and_o call_v they_o bless_v 2._o it_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o every_o one_o of_o we_o in_o our_o several_a station_n to_o put_v our_o help_a hand_n to_o this_o good_a work_n and_o that_o we_o may_v be_v the_o better_o induce_v to_o do_v this_o in_o good_a earnest_n let_v we_o be_v deep_o sensible_a of_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o time_n let_v we_o often_o think_v how_o sad_a the_o consequence_n will_v be_v of_o such_o a_o general_a defection_n from_o the_o duty_n of_o religion_n let_v we_o be_v hearty_o sorry_a we_o can_v do_v no_o more_o towards_o the_o work_n of_o reformation_n it_o be_v not_o below_o david_n though_o a_o king_n even_o to_o weep_v for_o the_o wickedness_n of_o other_o men._n if_o we_o have_v any_o sense_n of_o piety_n to_o god_n we_o can_v but_o be_v hearty_o concern_v at_o his_o dishonour_n if_o we_o have_v any_o charity_n for_o man_n it_o can_v but_o grieve_v we_o to_o see_v they_o run_v so_o fast_o in_o the_o ready_a way_n to_o ruin_n and_o destruction_n if_o we_o have_v any_o concern_v for_o the_o public_a we_o must_v needs_o be_v apprehensive_a of_o the_o danger_n we_o be_v in_o to_o be_v overwhelm_v by_o these_o flood_n of_o ungodliness_n if_o we_o can_v do_v nothing_o else_o yet_o we_o shall_v at_o least_o secret_o bewail_v the_o impiety_n of_o the_o time_n we_o live_v in_o but_o this_o inward_a sense_n will_v natural_o prompt_v we_o to_o do_v our_o best_a not_o only_o to_o stem_v the_o tide_n of_o sin_n ourselves_o but_o to_o turn_v it_o towards_o a_o reformation_n 1._o then_o let_v we_o make_v a_o free_a open_a public_a and_o avow_a profession_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o rule_n of_o our_o religion_n we_o need_v not_o be_v ashamed_a of_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n while_o we_o be_v sure_a it_o be_v the_o power_n of_o god_n unto_o salvation_n while_o we_o have_v both_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o man_n to_o justify_v we_o why_o shall_v not_o we_o be_v as_o bold_a for_o religion_n as_o the_o most_o profess_a and_o impudent_a sinner_n can_v be_v against_o it_o how_o indecent_a be_v it_o while_o sin_n put_v on_o a_o whore_n forehead_n that_o religion_n shall_v creep_v into_o a_o corner_n mistake_v i_o not_o i_o be_o not_o now_o persuade_v you_o to_o pretend_v to_o more_o than_o you_o have_v to_o make_v a_o hypocritical_a and_o pharisaical_a pretence_n to_o piety_n but_o only_o that_o you_o will_v open_o avow_v the_o obligation_n that_o lie_v upon_o you_o to_o a_o holy_a life_n and_o therefore_o 2._o be_v sure_a your_o practice_n keep_v pace_n with_o your_o profession_n and_o that_o you_o real_o be_v what_o you_o pretend_v to_o be_v good_a christian_n and_o make_v this_o appear_v before_o the_o world_n in_o the_o whole_a tenor_n of_o your_o conversation_n our_o bless_a saviour_n who_o blame_v the_o pharisee_n that_o they_o do_v all_o their_o work_n to_o be_v see_v of_o man_n and_o it_o be_v no_o better_o than_o hypocrisy_n while_o their_o whole_a design_n be_v the_o praise_n of_o man_n yet_o in_o another_o place_n bid_v we_o let_v our_o light_n so_o shine_v before_o man_n that_o they_o may_v see_v our_o good_a work_n and_o glorify_v our_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n that_o be_v be_v so_o strict_o holy_a that_o the_o world_n can_v choose_v but_o take_v notice_n of_o it_o though_o for_o any_o value_n we_o set_v upon_o the_o praise_n of_o man_n we_o may_v not_o care_n much_o whether_o they_o do_v or_o no._n we_o see_v example_n have_v a_o mighty_a power_n and_o influence_n upon_o the_o live_v of_o men._n they_o be_v apt_a to_o follow_v a_o multitude_n though_o it_o be_v to_o do_v evil._n o_o that_o we_o can_v once_o see_v it_o as_o fashionable_a to_o be_v virtuous_a and_o religious_a as_o it_o have_v too_o long_o be_v to_o be_v loose_a and_o vicious_a or_o at_o least_o negligent_a and_o lukewarm_a let_v we_o do_v god_n and_o religion_n and_o ourselves_o the_o honour_n if_o i_o may_v so_o speak_v to_o begin_v the_o mode_n and_o do_v our_o best_a to_o bring_v religion_n into_o fashion_n and_o who_o can_v tell_v how_o far_o some_o considerable_a number_n of_o religious_a example_n shine_v as_o light_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o this_o crooked_a and_o perverse_a generation_n may_v enlighten_v the_o world_n and_o though_o there_o may_v some_o hypocrisy_n creep_v in_o yet_o methinks_v that_o be_v much_o to_o be_v prefer_v before_o open_a profaneness_n and_o it_o be_v better_a that_o god_n and_o religion_n shall_v be_v though_o it_o be_v but_o seem_o honour_v by_o some_o pretender_n to_o religion_n than_o open_o affront_v by_o profane_a and_o loose_a men._n let_v we_o then_o by_o a_o open_a and_o avow_a profession_n and_o practice_n of_o a_o substantial_a and_o unaffected_a piety_n declare_v against_o the_o wickedness_n of_o the_o age_n and_o by_o our_o example_n at_o least_o lead_v the_o way_n to_o a_o reformation_n 3._o let_v we_o by_o our_o advice_n admonition_n and_o reproof_n do_v what_o we_o can_v to_o reform_v other_o too_o it_o be_v pity_n this_o be_v so_o much_o disuse_v that_o it_o be_v almost_o count_v a_o piece_n of_o rudeness_n to_o