First. I am to shew, That endeavour­ing in our several places, to reform the corrupt Manners of the Age we live in, is a good work, and therefore proper mat­ter to be zealous in. It is endeavouring to do those things, which best become, and most behove us to do; by which the most excellent purposes are served, and the highest obligations answered; and therefore it must be one of the best works we can be ingaged in.

First. It is endeavouring to advance the honour of God, which indeed ought to be the end of all our endeavours. It is the end for which we have our being; for which all our Time, and all our Powers, and Faculties were given us. And what can be done more for the Ho­nour of God, than reforming the lives of Men? When Men are reformed, then they proclaim, not only with their Lips but in their Lives, their acknowledg­ment of his Sovereign Majesty and Au­thority, of his most excellent Perfections, of the Goodness and Equity of his Laws, of the Wisdom and Justice of his Dispen­sations: Then they reverence his Name, [Page 4] and fear his Power, and love his Good­ness, and trust in his Promises, and give him that veneration and worship is due to him: Then they shew forth his Virtues, and manifest the Power of his Grace; and, by the continual exercise of Love and Charity, do cause abundant Thanks­givings unto God. This is Honouring of God indeed, of God our Maker and Pre­server, our greatest Friend and Benefactor, of our infinitely great and good God. What better imployment then can we have, more our Duty or more our Inter­est, than endeavouring to increase the Number of those by whom he is thus Glorified? How can we Love God, in any sense, with all our Heart, and with all our Mind, and with all our Strength, if we do not prosecute such Designs, with the utmost warmth and vigour of all our Fa­culties?

Secondly. This is endeavouring to ad­vance the Honour and Interest of Christi­anity. And surely this is always good, but was never more necessary than Now. What can adorn the Doctrin of our God and Saviour, like the Holy Lives of its Pro­fessors? [Page 5] How would the Truth and Ex­cellence, the Power and Efficacy of our Religion be Demonstrated, when it sub­dued the unruly Passions, mortified the strongest Lusts, conquered the most ur­gent Temptations, extirpated the most in­veterate Habits of Sin, and adorned us with all the Beauties of a Christian con­versation? Who could forbear to love, and admire, and acknowledge the Divi­nity of that Revelation, which brought forth such excellent Fruit; so worthy of God, so good and Profitable unto Men? Not all the Arguments of Atheists and In­fidels, have done that Mischief to Christi­anity, as the lewd and dissolute Lives of its Professors. And we can never hope to see it recover the Reputation it hath lost, and overcome the powerful Opposi­tion is now made against it, till we have better Lives to plead for it. What then can more deserve our Zeal, than the pro­moting that Reformation, which is so necessary and so prevailing a Means, to vindicate the Truth and Honour of that Religion, our Blessed Lord and Saviour came down from Heaven to Reveal, and [Page 6] died upon the Cross to bear Witness to?

Thirdly. This is endeavouring, in the best, and most effectual manner we can, to promote the Publick good of our Country. It is from our scandalous Vices, that most of our publick Calami­ties Spring, in a Natural way, and by these that the Wrath of God is provoked. And how can we do better Service to our Country, than by concurring to stop that raging Pestilence of Sin, which is ready to overspread the Land; and to carry Infection, and Death, and Misery into every corner of it; to set our selves in the gap, to keep out that inundation of Wrath which is breaking in upon us; to help to restore that Righteousness which Exalts a Nation, which is the Honour and Safety of a People; which endears them to God, unites them a­mongst themselves, banishes those Vices to which publick mischiefs and grievan­ces are owing, and makes every Man a Hearty Friend to his Neighbour and the common good? What imployment then can better deserve our Zeal, than endea­vouring that Reformation of the lives of [Page 7] Men, which would more conduce to make us a flourishing and happy People, than all other our wisest Counsels, our strongest Armies, and our most liberal expence of Treasure and Blood?

Fourthly. It is endeavouring to pro­mote the particular good of our Bre­thren, in every valuable respect. It is endeavouring to propagate that Godli­ness, which is profitable unto all things, having the Promise of the Life that now is, and of that which is to come. It is endea­vouring to reclaim Men from those sin­ful Lusts and practices, which impair their Health, and wast their Estates, and blemish their Reputation, and wound their Consciences, and War against their Souls, and sink them down into ever­lasting Perdition. It is endeavouring to restore Men to the favour and likeness of God; to bring them into the Peaceable and Pleasant Paths of Righteousness; to rescue them from the Bondage of Corrup­tion into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God; to secure to them a comfortable Life, a hopeful Death, and a blessed Im­mortality. Certainly such Generous, [Page 8] such Charitable, such Beneficial endea­vours, cannot but be exceeding good and worthy of our utmost Zeal and Vi­gour. Thus much may suffice to shew, the Goodness of our Endeavours in gene­ral, for reforming the evil Lives of Men. I proceed now,

Secondly. To shew, That to help for­ward the execution of Penal Laws, up­on notorious and scandalous Sinners, is a good Work, and therefore also proper matter to be zealous in. This will be manifest if we consider,

First. How much the execution of Penal Laws, would conduce to that Re­formation of Manners, which, I have already shewed, so eminently promotes the Honour of God, the Interest of Christianity, the Welfare of our Coun­try, and the present and eternal Good and Happiness of Men. It must needs be a great Discouragement to Vice, to see it continually exposing Men to Shame and Punishment; to see Men of Honour and Authority imployed against it. Piety and Virtue must needs gather Strength and Boldness, when the Sword [Page 9] of Justice defends them, and chastiseth the Enemies of them: When Wicked­ness is forced to hide its Head, and to creep into Corners, for Fear of it. The Habits of Sin will lose their strength, when they are restrained from exercise; and it cannot spread its Infection so wide, when the Examples of it are not suffered to be Common, Publick, or Se­cure; when it is forced out of current use and Fashion: When Men cannot combine, in such Numbers, for the practice and Countenance of it, to aid and hearten one another in it. The sins of the Nation then would certainly be less in Number, less Scandalous, and less Provoking. If the execution of Laws could effect no more than this, yet God would be nothing so much dishonoured, nor our Religion disgraced, nor the Na­tion in Danger of publick Judgments, and therefore it cannot but be a Good thing, and great enough to deserve our most warm and vigorous Endeavours.

Secondly. Such an execution of Judg­ment and Justice, though it should a­vail but little towards the Reforming of [Page 10] Men, yet it might, for its own sake, pro­cure many Blessings from God to a Peo­ple. The Actions of publick Persons, in their publick Stations, have the greatest Influence upon the publick good. These are the Actions of the Society, and therefore will the soonest procure com­mon Judgments or Blessings. For Go­vernment, and Magistracy, and the execu­tion of Justice, belong to a Society as such; and therefore, according as these are administred, it is reasonable to ex­pect God should dispense his publick Fa­vours. It was for want of Eli's execut­ing Judgment upon his lewd Sons, that the Israelites were delivered into the Hands of the Philistines, and the Ark of God taken from them. 'Till Judgment was executed upon Achan for the Accursed thing, the Israelites still fled before their Enemies. It was by executing Judgment upon two scandalous Offenders, that Phinehas stayed the fury of a devouring Plague, and restored health to the Congre­gation of Israel. Such another might af­terwards have saved them from Captivi­ty; if they could have found a Man in [Page 11] Jerusalem that executed Judgment, God would have Pardoned it, Jer. 5. 1. But Magistrates cannot ordinarily do this a­lone, if there be none to testify against the Transgressors. It is good therefore for us all, in our several places, to en­deavour the promoting so good a Work. As Magistrates should be forward to ex­ecute Judgment, so should others be rea­dy to discover and accuse notorious Of­fenders, without which there would be no opportunity for it. These are good things then, I have been hitherto plead­ing for, and therefore such as we ought to be zealously affected in. I proceed now,

Thirdly. To shew, What it is to be zea­lously affected in a good matter, and conse­quently what is our Duty, with respect to those exceeding good matters, which are under our present consideration. Zeal is the warmth and fervency of the Soul and Spirit, that which actuates all our Powers and Faculties, and inspires them with a new life and vigour, in the pursuit of that we are zealous for. More particularly.

First. He that is zealously affected in [Page 12] any matter, will be very earnest in his desires of succeeding in it. He will wish and long for more Power, and greater Opportunities, and stronger Aids, for the accomplishing of it. His Thoughts will be mighty intent upon it; and con­tinually busied, in seeking out proper and effectual ways of prospering in his Endeavours for it. He will follow it with as vehement Desires, as covetous and ambitious Men do Riches and Ho­nour. Where then is our Zeal for Re­formation, that most excellent good Thing, if we seldom think how we may be serviceable to the promoting of it; If we are not grieved that we can do no more towards it; If we carelesly neglect any proper means or opportunities of being aiding and assisting to it; If we willingly shift it off to others, and are glad to be excused from having any hand in it our selves? It is very sad to think of it, but this, I fear, is almost the com­mon Case of Christians, of those I mean that call themselves so: For what can they have of Christianity, besides the Pro­fession of it, who are thus coldly affected [Page 13] to that, wherein the Honour of Christ and his Gospel, and the Happiness of those, for whom he was born and died, are so very much concerned?

Secondly. He that is zealously affected to any good End, will be exceeding active and industrious in the prosecution of it. His Endeavours will be proportionable to his Desires, great and strong as they. Such was the Zeal of our Blessed Saviour, who went about doing good; and that of St. Paul, which engaged him in Watch­ings often, and in Labours more abundant. And if we are zealously affected towards the reforming the lives of Men, we shall not be slothful in this Business, but fer­vent in Spirit, serving the Lord with all our Might in it. We shall never think we can take too much pains, or grudge any toil or labour for the accomplishing of it. When an Opportunity appears to us, we shall greedily embrace it, and improve it with our utmost Vigour. Where then is our Zeal in this matter? What little Difficulties discourage us? How little Time or Pains do we imploy in it? How much short do the most in­dustrious [Page 14] of us come, of the restless tra­vail, and unwearied diligence, with which we see Men every day labouring, for the uncertain Riches, the fading Ho­nour, and the vain and forbidden Plea­sures of this world?

Thirdly. He that is zealously affected in any good thing, will be very courage­ous in the pursuit of it. If we were in­deed zealously affected to this good work of reforming the Lives of Men, we should not easily be frighted from doing our part in it, by the Enemies and Opposition we are like to encounter with. We should not care, what a foolish World may call us, or how a malicious World may use us. We should not be afraid of their Ter­rours, or discouraged by their Censures, or put out of countenance by their Re­proaches, but boldly and resolutely pro­ceed in that Good Cause we are ingaged in. These would be but as dry Hay and Stubble, unable to stop the progress of a flaming Zeal for God and Religion; we should scorn to desert so pious, and no­ble, and profitable a Work, for fear of those silly, and lewd, and ungodly [Page 15] Wretches that oppose it. We should go out in the name of the Lord against them, and in that have strong confidence. Though we knew that we must wrestle, both with Flesh and Blood, and with spiritual wicked­nesses in high Places, yet for all this we should not decline the Combate, but be strong in the Lord and in the power of his Might. We should be ready to answer with St. Paul, if we were told as he was, that bonds and afflictions did a­bide us, that none of these things move us, neither count we our lives dear unto us, so that Christ may be magnified in our Bodies, Acts 20. 23, 24. Phil. 1. 20. The oppo­sition we meet with would rather heigh­ten our Courage, and strengthen our Re­solutions, and animate our Endeavours, and increase our Labours, in so pious and charitable a Work.

Fourthly. He that is zealously affected in a good thing, will be liberal in his Expen­ces for the promoting of it. Thus we find the Zeal of the Primitive Christians prevailed with them, even to sell their possessions, and to lay the price at the Apostles feet, when the great Necessities of the [Page 16] Church required it of them, Acts 4. 34, 35. Thus also the Zeal of the Churches of Macedonia, made the riches of their liberality to abound, in their deep poverty; They were ready, as St. Paul tells us, to their power, yea and beyond their power, they were willing of themselves, praying us with much intreaty, that we would re­ceive the Gift, 2 Cor. 8. 3, 4. They offered more unasked, than they could well spare, and earnestly besought them to accept their Contributions. Thus libe­ral should we be in advancing those good works we are pleading for, if we were as zealously affected as they were. We should be glad to distribute, and willing to communicate of our earthly Goods, in so heavenly a Cause, so acceptable to God, so serviceable to his Honour and to the Interest of his Church and Kingdom. But because as the Apostle intimates, in the Verse before the Text, we may be zealously affected, but not well. I proceed,

Fourthly. To shew, what are to be the Qualifications of our Zeal in these things; or what Cautions are to be given to them, whoare thus zealously affected.

First. Our Zeal must be impartial with respect to Persons and Parties. It is a general Reformation of all sorts of Men we pretend to be zealous for; and therefore it must not have only a parti­cular Regard to some particular Men. The Laws are made for the restraint, and correction of all Mens enormous Vices, and therefore our Endeavours, in pro­moting the execution of them, should al­so have equal Respect to all. God and Religion are dishonoured, and the Publick good is prejudiced and indangered, by all sorts of wicked Men, and all Mens Souls are equally hazarded by their scandalous Offences. And therefore it cannot be a truly religious Zeal, which is guided by any private or partial Respects. It may be a Zeal of Spight and Malice, of some carnal or worldly Affection; but it can­not be a Zeal of Love to God and our Neighbour. If it were a Zeal of Love to God, it would use the same Endea­vours, where the Honour of God is e­qually concerned; if it were a Zeal of Love to our Neighbour, it would not be least active, where we love most. If [Page 18] we use those we call the Means of Re­formation, and promote the execution of Laws, chiefly upon those, to whose Persons, or Interests, or religious Com­munion we are disaffected; our pretend­ed Zeal, for a general Reformation of Mens Lives, is certainly counterfeit and hypocritical. It cannot be thought, we should be most concerned for their good, for whom we have the least Affection. And therefore the Zeal of such Endea­vours, will shew a great concern to see Men punished rather than reformed. It will not be punishing Mens Persons, that we may reform their Vices; but punish­ing their Vices, that we may hurt their Persons.

Secondly. Our Zeal must be wise and prudent, and all its Endeavours guided with Deliberation and Discretion. Zeal is a sharp Instrument, and therefore not to be managed with a careless or unskil­ful Hand. If we use it rashly, and with­out good Advice, we may stab our own Designs, and ruin that Cause we would defend by it. We should not therefore lean too much to our own Ʋnderstandings, [Page 19] in the methods of prosecuting those good Designs we are zealous in: but be con­tinually asking Counsel of God, and of grave, and wise, and experienced Men. We should consider Seasons and Circum­stances, and, with great Deliberation and Judgment, make choice of those that are most proper, to set forward the good Work we have in hand. In pro­secuting the noble design of Reformation, wherein you are like to meet with so many Difficulties, and such mighty Op­position, it will behove you, as wise Men are wont to do in like cases, to strengthen your Hands all you can, to unite your Forces, and to combine toge­ther into Societies; that you may mutual­ly advise, and countenance, and sup­port, and encourage, and vindicate, and defend one another, in your Attempts for the Accomplishing of it.

Thirdly. Your Zeal must be orderly. It must not transport you beyond the Bounds of your Places and Callings. Private persons must not usurp the Office of the Priest or Magistrate; but move ex­actly in their own Sphere, towards that [Page 20] good End they have before them. God hath set us in the Church as Members in the Body, and all Members have not the same Office; If the Feet will invade the Office of the Head, what can follow but over­turning and confusion? The Law is good if we use it lawfully: But if we desert our Station, or take any illegal courses to procure the execution of it, we make our selves Transgressors, whilst we pre­tend to be Reformers. We cannot expect the Countenance of sober Men, or the Protection and Blessing of God. You know how severely God dealt with Ʋz­zah, for his irregular Zeal, in attempt­ing to preserve the Ark of God from fal­ling.

Fourthly. Your Zeal in these good mat­ters, must be, attended with a proporti­onable regard to all other parts of your Duty, and of the same Piece with the rest of your Lives; otherwise it will very ill become you, and serve the End it is in persuit of. You must be holy, and harmless, and without rebuke your selves, whilst you are zealously endeavouring to reform the Vices of a crooked and perverse [Page 21] Nation. You may reasonably expect that reply, Physician heal thy self, when you are applying Remedies to other Mens Diseases, and are infected with those that are as mortal your selves. You must carefully avoid giving any just oc­casion to any man to speak evil of you, for many will seek Occasions, and improve them all they can, to disgrace both you and the good Design you are zealously affected in. But if whilst you make Men feel the Warmth of your Zeal, they also see the Light of it shine before them, in all the exercises of a sober, righteous, and god­ly life; this will be such a manifest Proof of the Sincerity of its intentions, to serve God and to do good, as none of its adversaries will be able to gainsay or re­sist. Then Men will be ashamed to re­proach it, or to impute the Endeavours of it, to any corrupt Affections, or to any worldly sinister Ends. Then no good man will be ashamed to appear for you, to plead your Cause, or to encourage your Endeavours. Then you may rea­sonably hope, that God will not throw you aside, as unworthy Instruments for [Page 22] such noble Purposes; but be ready to assist, and bless, and prosper your Un­dertakings for him.

Fifthly. Your Zeal should be attended with great Humility, with low thoughts of your selves and your best perform­ances, and a modest and humble Beha­viour towards all Men; for Pride and Selfe-conceit will stain the Beauty, and hinder the Efficacy, of the most zealous Endeavours for God and Religion. These are Vices, that are abominable both in the sight of God and Man, and corrupt every thing that hath relation to them. And these are the Sins you will be most in danger of. For this is the common Stra­tagem, whereby the Devil overcomes such, as have held out against all his other Temptations. He endeavours to flatter them into a great Opinion of their own Virtue, and to make them proud of their Conquests over him; and so secures them to himself, by magnifying the Ser­vice they have done against him. Let this then be your particular care, to arm your selves against this Temptation, and to keep your Zeal always cloathed with [Page 23] Humility, which will be the greatest Or­nament you can give it. Be as thankful as you can for it, but never make it your Boast, that you are not as other Men are. Consider then, who it is that makes you to differ, and of whose only gift it comes that you are able to do unto God any good and laudable Service; that every good Work you do, increaseth your obligation to do more for him, but can be no just reason for your thinking more highly of your selves; that when you have done the most and best you can for him, you are far from rendring unto him according to all he hath done for you; and have still reason to hold down your Heads, and to smite upon your Breasts and say, every one of you, God be Merciful unto me a Sinner. You have an excellent Example of this Zeal and Humility together in St. Paul, who laboured more abundantly than they all, yet he calls himself the least of the Apostles, and gives all the Glory to God, It was not I, saith he, but the Grace of God that was with me. I come now

Fifthly. To answer some Objections, a­gainst our zealous Endeavours to reform the Vices of the Age.

First. Some are ready to object, that this is not a proper Season for such At­tempts. Wickedness is so impudent and daring, and so much countenanced by those, who are most able and obliged to suppress it, that now to contest zealously against it, is but labouring in vain, and spending our Strength for nought, and like­ly to make it insult and triumph the more, upon baffling our Endeavours a­gainst it. There is indeed but too much Truth in this Character of the Age we live in; but however, it ought not to quench our Zeal in labouring to make it better. For.

First. We find the holy Servants of God were not discouraged, in former times, by the same Difficulties. When all flesh had corrupted themselves Noah con­tinued a zealous Preacher of Righteousness. When the Cry of Sodom's sins was gone up to Heaven, and they were most impu­dently bold in their commission of them, righteous Lot did not cease to rebuke and [Page 25] oppose their Wickedness. When the Al­tars of God were throwing down, and the People were slaying his Prophets, even then was Elijah exceeding Jealous for the Lord God of Hosts. The Holy Prophets did zealously set themselves to reform the Manners, of a sinful Nation, a Peo­ple laden with iniquity, and inraged a­gainst all that opposed their growing Wickedness. John the Baptist did not forbear his warnings and reproofs, when he was beset with a Generation of Vipers. And the Blessed Apostles, with undaunted Courage, persisted to defend the Cause of Christianity, when it was every where spoken against. Were not these Men of like Passions with our selves? Is not re­forming the Lives of Men as good a Work as ever? Have we not the same God to assist us, the same Laws to ob­lige us, and the same Reward to encou­rage us, that they had? What Excuse can we find in the difficulty of this Work now, which they might not have pleaded for laying aside that Zeal, with which they endeavoured the accomplishing of it? But

Secondly. The worse the Age is, the more zealous should the Friends of Pietie and Virtue be to make it better. When we see Religion almost ready to expire, where is our Love to God or that, if we do not hasten to its relief, and apply our most earnest Endeavours for the support and recovery of it? When that is lost, then all our Hopes are lost; then there will nothing remain for us, but a fearful looking for of Judgment and fiery Indigna­tion to devour us. And can any Difficul­ties excuse our Sloth, when the Danger is so great and so apparent? When Vir­tue is almost irrecoverably opprest, and cries with dying Groans for succour, shall we refuse to fly to its Defence, for fear we should indanger it by our Assist­ance? What a brave and noble thing ra­ther would it be, to encounter Wicked­ness in the height of all its Triumphs, to go out in the Name of the Lord against it, when it prides its self in its Gyant-like stature, and hath all its Weapons of War about it, and most insolently defies the Armies of the living God? How would such Zeal and Courage become the [Page 27] Chidren of the Lord of Hosts, their noble birth, and high calling, and glorious hopes and expectations?

Thirdly. As bad as the Age is, we have no reason utterly to despair of all Success, in these our zealous Attempts to amend it. It is the Cause of God, a Cause wherein his Honour is mightily concern­ed, a Cause he loves to see us ingaged in, a Cause in which he hath oftentimes wonderfully assisted, a Cause he seems not to have cast off all regard to at this time amongst us. We have great reason to think it is of God, that, amidst so many Discouragements, it hath come into the Hearts of some to unite their zealous Endeavours, to repress the Inso­lence of insulting Wickedness, and to rescue Pietie and Religion from that Contempt and Oppression it labours un­der. Who knows, but that little Cloud, which appears but as a Mans Hand, may, by the Blessing of God, so improve and spread its self, as to be able at length by its refreshing Showers, to renew the life, and strength, and beauty, of withering Virtue. The Powers of Darkness, and [Page 28] the corrupt Nature of Man are against us; but, if God be for us, we are certain­ly the stronger side. And why should we not hope, that God will at length a­rise and plead his own Cause, and make his Work prosper in the Hands of those, that faithfully and zealously apply themselves to the help of the Lord against the mighty? For the Eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole Earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them, whose Heart is perfect towards Him, 2. Chron. 16. 9.

Fourthly. How unsuccesful soever our zealous Endeavours may be for the re­forming the Nation, yet they may be succesful for the Preservation and Bene­fit of it. God may shew Favour to the whole Body, for the sake of those few Members of it, that are ingaged so heartily in promoting his Honour and In­terest. He may do that for us for their sakes, which he did for Zoar for Lot's sake, and would have done for Sodom its self, had there been but Nine more such as he was, to be found in it.

Fifthly. Our zealous Endeavours for reforming others, though they may not [Page 29] be effectual for the Preventing publick Calamities, yet they may be a means to preserve us from them, or to procure for us great advantages under them. Thus were Noah, and Lot, and Jeremiah preserved, at least from the extremity of those publick Judgments, which by their zealous Attempts to reform the Lives of Men, they endeavoured, though unsuccesfully, to divert. But what share soever God may think fit to give us in outward Calamities, we may be sure of the support and comfort of a good Con­science under them; a Conscience testi­fying to us, that they are not the effect of any Sloth or Neglect of ours; that we did our best to prevent them; and that tho' we fall under them, yet we do not fall under that Wrath of God which ac­companies them; that all these things will work together for our good, who have loved and served God with so much Zeal.

Secondly. Some perhaps may object a­gainst these zealous Attempts to reform the Wickedness of the Age, that they will expose them to Scorn and Derision, [Page 30] to harsh Censures, and foul Reproaches. But had ever any great and good thing been done, if Men had always thought this, a sufficient Excuse for declining the attempting of it? Have not the best Men, and the best things, been always subject to the Scoffs and Revilings of prophane and dissolute Men? Was there every any brave, heroical Attempt made, on the behalf of Religion, that could es­cape the spiteful Censures of a naughty World? But can any unjust Reproaches alter the nature of a good action; or make it less our Duty, or less becoming of us? Is not the approbation of our own minds, and the esteem and love of all wise and good Men, and of the infinite­ly wise and good God, a sufficient En­couragement against all the scurrilous Language of unreasonable and wicked Men? Will not a strong and mighty love to God make us to glory in the Cross of Christ, and to rejoyce that we are counted worthy to suffer shame for his Name? A malicious Informer is indeed a Character to be abhorred; but when Informing signifies nothing, but Witnessing against [Page 31] the great and scandalous Sinners of the Age we live in, for their and the publick good, and the Glory of God, then it is a generous and honourable thing, then it is doing what all the Prophets, and all the Apostles, and our Blessed Lord himself, did before us. And if ye are reproached for so doing, happy are ye, for the Spirit of Glo­ry and of God resteth on you; and these light Afflictions, which are but for a mo­ment, will work for you a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory. Why then should we not seek, with all our Might, to affect our Hearts with Zeal in these matters, that with vehement Desires, unwearied Industry, and Invincible Courage, we may persue the great and good design, of restraining and reclaim­ing Sinners? I proceed therefore,

Fifthly. To direct to some proper Considerations, for the inflaming our Souls with Zeal in these good things.

First. Consider, What mighty Obli­gations God hath laid upon you to do the utmost you can for him. It is in him you live, and move, and have your being. It is by his Providence that you are pre­served; [Page 32] and by his Bounty that you are supplied, with all the good things you enjoy; and by the Blood of his only be­gotten Son, whom he freely gave for such weak, and foolish, and provoking Sinners, that you are redeemed from Death and Hell. And can you be cold and negligent, in seeking to advance the Kingdom, and Honour, and Interest, of so hearty a Friend, so liberal a Benefa­ctor, so tender a Father, so good and gracious a God? Can you think of all the Wonders of the Divine Love, with cold and unaffected Hearts? Do you not blush to tkink, how little you have done for him, who hath done so much for you?

Secondly. You should often set before you the Zeal of our Blessed Saviour in this matter. For this purpose he came down from Heaven, to seek and to save that which was lost. He took upon him the form of a Servant, and being found in fashion as a Man, he humbled himself unto death, even the death of the Cross, that he might redeem us from iniquity, and purify to himself a people, zealous of good works, that he [Page 33] might destroy the works of the Devil, and rescue the souls of Men out of his hands. This was the business of his Life, and the design of his Death. And can any thing better deserve our Zeal, than that which he thought not unworthy of his Blood? Can we be indifferently affected to that, which our dear Redeemer valued at so dear a rate? Can we be better, or more honourably imployed, than in uniting our Endeavours with the Son of God, and working together with him for the re­covery of a perishing World? Are we not concerned, that in any respect he should live and die in vain, who lived and died for our Salvation? Can we stand still, and make no Attempts to stop the growth of that, which renders his Passi­on of none effect to Men, and destroys the Souls for whom he swet, and bled, and died?

Thirdly. Consider the Zeal and Dili­gence of the Enemies of this good work of reclaiming sinful Men. How Zealous and industrious is the Prince of Darkness, in corrupting the Lives and destroying the Souls of Men? All his Cunning, [Page 34] and Strength, and Activity is imployed in this work. He is always laying his Snares, and persuing his malicious Devi­ces, running to and fro, and walking about, seeking whom he may devour. How zealous are his Agents and Ministers, in carry­ing on the pernicious design of their Master, to advance his Kingdom, to in­crease the number of his Captives, to en­tice Men to run with them into the same excess of Riot, and to carry them down to Hell with them? And shall we lie down and sleep, and tamely suffer them to carry all before them? Are we not confounded with Shame to think, that they should be more bold and industrious, in dishonouring God, and propagating Sin, and Death, and Misery, than we can find in our hearts to be, in promot­ing the Glory of God, the interest of Piety, and the everlasting Happiness of Men? Is the Devil a better Master than God, or corrupting with sin a better Cause than restraining Men from it? Do we see Men resolutely defying the Power and Wrath of God, and boldly proceeding in their ungodly Attempts [Page 35] against the amazing Terrors of Death and Hell? And are we discouraged from the most necessary, and honourable, and beneficial undertakings, for fear of men that shall die, or any light afflictions for a mo­ment? Is it thus we love God and Good­ness? Is it thus we answer the ingage­ments of our Profession, and the Vows we have made to our Lord and Redeemer? Is this our fighting manfully against Sin, the World and the Devil? Blessed be God that there are any sparks of this Zeal, I have been recommending to you, reviving a­mongst us. Who can tell how great a matter this little Fire may kindle? May the Blessed Spirit of God, who appeared a [...] Fire upon the Apostles, kindle it more and more in all our Hearts; that it may at length consume all those Tares the En­emy hath sown amongst us, and we may henceforward bring forth such Fruits unto perfection, which are wor­thy of all the care and husbandry God hath bestowed upon us. Then we might comfortably hope, that God would be merciful unto us and bless us, and lift up the light of his Countenance upon us, [Page 36] and make us a praise in the earth, that he would be a Wall of Fire, round about us, an invincible Defence against all our Ene­mies, and the Glory in the midst of us, and that we should once more see Je­rusalem in prosperity, and Peace upon Is­rael.