THO' this comes not from one that can pretend to the Honour of your intimate Acquaintance; yet one, nevertheleſs, your Friend in the greateſt Sincerity; yea, much more your Friend, than ſuch as can be unconcern'd, any further, than to make a Game of that which threatens the Ruin of a Gentleman ſo well accompliſht with more than ordinary Parts and Ingenuity.

To deal freely with you, Sir, (ſince I have lately heard you make ſo bold with One that's infinitely more your Superiour, than you are mine) That which you might reckon the Grace and Emphaſis of your Talk, was to me ſo extreamly Noiſom and Grievous, that I found it a very difficult Task to be your Patient ſo long as I was. And becauſe I then ſpake ſo little to interrupt the prophane Humour, I think my ſelf obliged in Conſcience, to ſignifie the more in this Paper; yea, the rather did I prevail with my ſelf ſo much to ſtifle my Reſentments at that Time, becauſe I reſolved now to pour them out more fully in this manner, as hoping I might do it with leſs Offence, and better Effect, to propoſe the Matter to your calm Thoughts, when cool and retired, than if I had offered to Ruffle before thoſe, who might peradventure have ſtomach'd me as injurious to their Meeting, had I there ſolemnly entred the Liſts to diſpute that Cauſe, which I am going to plead with you at preſent.

'Tis to me, Sir, a moſt aſtoniſhing thing, to ſee one whom the Bounty of Heaven has rais'd ſo much above the Common Level, both for Endowments of Mind, and Enjoyments of the World, ſo far forget himſelf, as to fly in the Face of his Sole Founder, and Supream Benefactor, and at the moſt daring rate, Tear and Blaſpheme that Tremendous Name, which He has declar'd, He will not hold him guiltleſs that takes in vain. When 'tis not only the moſt irregular inverting the end of your Creation, (as if you were made only to diſhonour God) but the very height of Ingratitude, ſo to turn the noble Faculty of Speech againſt him, without whom you could not ſo much as ſpeak at all.

Can you chuſe, Sir, but diſcern what an Abſurdity it is to own the Chriſtian Name; yea, and bow at the very mention of Jeſus; and yet ſo ſlight and play upon the Great Lord of Chriſtians, as to Swear even altogether, when he Charges every one of his, not to ſwear at a • l. And what does it, but ſtill add to the Abſurdity, when 'tis readily confeſt to be a ſcandalous Evil, which you ought to renounce, and yet you will as confidently perſiſt in this Guilt, as if you believ'd it harmleſs, or a Matter of nothing.

What ſort of Chriſtian is that, who acts as 'twere in ſpight of Chriſt? And I may askt, What kind of Subject too, that is ſo croſs to his Soveraign, as boldly to keep up that horrid Ungodlineſs, which our truly Christian Prince has uſed the utmoſt Care to ſuppreſs? Letting all the World know, 'tis after another rate now, he would have Men expreſs their Loyalty to him, than to Swear and Drink for him. As being a great deal Wiſer, than to expect they ſhould ever be true to him, who ſtick not ſo notoriouſly to Rebel-againſt an infinitely Greater. And were it at all poſſible, they could thus be Loyal, yet how would he abhor their Service at the Coſt of God's diſhonour; counting it no commendable Reflection at all on his Sacred Perſon, to own ſuch bold Pretenders to his Grace and Favour: Who (if his Signal Example will not at laſt ſhame them into better Manners) muſt go ſtigmatized as worſe Affronters of his Laws and Majesty, even than any that take upon them to diſpute the Right of his Royal Authority: For tho' I do not think, that this admits of any juſt Scruple at all; yet as to the Prophane Cuſtomary Swearing, there's not the leaſt Controverſie with any Men of Sobriety whatſoever, But that he, who allows himſelf in ſuch a known Wickedneſs, openly Reſiſts, and Deſies the Crown of Heaven and Earth both together.

Whatever, Sir, be your Station, Revenue, Titles, and Dignity, you cannot imagine, ſure, that you have any Authority to be a Common Swearer, as you are a Gentleman, a Magiſtrate, or a Souldier.

Firſt, As a Gentleman, How utterly ſhould you ſcorn ſuch Boariſh Manners as infinitely below you! That which is a Badge of Infamy to the very ſcum of the People; arguing no better Rank and Quality, than to be of the Hiſſing Lineage of the Old Serpent, who is for Spitting his Venome moſt againſt him that is abſolutely the Beſt. Can it become your Dignity, or ever be be reckon'd as any of your Bravery? Be ſure, that Lamp of Reputation which is fed with God's Diſhonour, will caſt but a very ill Whift in any Noſtrils, except ſuch as prefer the naſtieſt Dunghill before the ſweeteſt Garden. The Swearing which I now make bold to capitulate with you concerning, but like an Impoſthume iſſuing out of a dead Mans mouth, ſpeaks you even Dead in Sin, and ſo rots your Name, and lays all your Honour in the duſt.

But the moſt unaccountable thing it is, that ever Swearing ſhould be reputed a Mark of fine Breeding; or any gentile, graceful Property, which in truth is ſo contrary to all good Manners, and a rude Entrenching upon all Orderlineſs and Common Civility; a Nuſance and Affront to every Ingenious, Sober Company; and the greateſt Offence to all that fear God, and make any Conſcience at all of his Word; who had rather you ſhould ſpit in their Faces, than ſo outragiouſly abuſe and mock the Sovereign Object of all their deareſt Love, and higheſt Regard.

Next as a Magiſtrate; Are you not obliged, Sir, to Check and Puniſh this very thing, which your ſelf have been ſo deep in the guilt of? And which your own Practice ſo tends to Countenance and Embolden, that the Vulgus take no ſmall Pride to be in your Faſhion, thinking to ingratiate themſelves with their Betters, by licking your Ulcers; yea are afraid to be hiſſed off the Stage as Squeamiſh Preciſians, ſhould they be ſo Cowardly as not venture to Copy out ſuch Preſidents; and ſo even to ſave their Credit, it ſeems neceſſary to tranſplant your Shame into their Soil. Thus inſtead of exerting your Power and Intereſt to quaſh that Prophaneſs and Blaſphemy, which makes the Land to mourn, and cries aloud for Vengeance; How do you ſadden the Souls of the Righteous, ſtrengthen the Hands of the Wicked, and expreſs the greateſt Spight and Enmity to your Country, in doing ſtill ſo much the more Miſchief, by how much the larger is your Influence? For this makes the Wicked Swagger, and tumultuouſly walk on every ſide, when the vileſt Men are exalted. When ſuch poſſeſs the Places of Honour, Truſt and Power, as not only ſtand for Cyphers, to let the moſt obnoxious eſcape with Impunity; and dare not ſhame that which Diſhonours God, leaſt it ſhould recoil in their Faces, and put themſelves to extream Confuſion; but alſo ſerve for a Back and Skreen to the Blaſphemous Rout, to make them ſcorn the Parſon, and ſet every Reprover at defiance, when as they have ſuch big Names to quote for their Juſtification and Warrant. O! Sir, How do you think the Eternal Judge of Quick and Dead, will in the final Audit, look upon this ſort of Magiſtrates, that gave ſuch ſingular aid and furtherance to his Miniſters:

Again, as a Souldier; Can you think it your Valour, Sir, to hector God Almighty? And that you are a ſtout Man, becauſe you dare make ſo bold (as no one in his right Wits would do) with the Supream Majeſty? Whom to contemn, the very Heathens have counted it no better than Fool hardineſs and Madneſs: Or is there any thing like a wiſe Conduct in the Caſe, when as you are engaged againſt other Enemies, to go ſtrive with your Maker, and ſo make him your Enemy too? O! Sir, if you would approve your ſelf truly Great and Couragious, here's a Combat worthy the faithful Souldier and Servant of Chriſt Jeſus, even to encounter with all your might this reigning Sin of Swearing, that like another Mighty Goliah, ſends out Challenges againſt Heaven, defying not only the Hoſts of the Living God, but even the God of Hoſts himſelf; yea, that Marches through the World, Great and Terrifying, Inſolent and Domineering, to diſhearten, even, the Zealous for their Lord's Intereſt, from venturing to reſiſt it.

When this Party of Rebels is grown ſo big, that the Injuſtice of the Cauſe even ceaſeth to be queſtioned, and their Numbers paſs for Arguments on their ſide; and therefore do ſo many take the boldneſs to liſt themſelves into the Helliſh Regiment; taking it for a piece of Cowardice to fear an Oath; when he that will not Swear at all, is ready to be pointed at, with ( 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ) yonders he! ſtar'd at as a Prodigy, and ſcoffed for a Pedant. When you hear your Company, Sir, grow Malapert and Sawcy with God himſelf, to toſs in their unhallowed Mouths, as a thing of nought, his Tremendous Name; and at every turn cite the Glorious Majeſty, and Dreadful Judg of all the World, to vouch all their impertinent Prate; as if their Tongues were touch'd with a Cole from Hell, and their Conſciences ſear'd with an hot Iron out of the ſame Fire; that even as faſt as they fetch'd Words out of the abundance of their Hearts, ſo faſt this putrid Scum boils up into their Mouths from the ſame corrupt Fountain: yea, when they can Swear and Rant, not only out of inadvertence, but avowedly, for the Gallantry of the buſineſs, as if they were the braver Men, becauſe they dare be ſuch Sinners with a Witneſs, and take Hell by violence, ſcorning to be ſtopt or reſtrained, trampling under foot the Blood of Chriſt; if but to make themſelves ſport, piercing his Side afreſh with Oaths, ſharper than the Soldiers Spear; and playing away the Virtue of that Name, which alone is able to ſave them from the Damnation they imprecate. Here! here's a Field, Sir, wherein to acquit you as a Man, and approve your Conduct and Proweſs in making a worthy Oppoſition, and daring to appear for God, when ſuch multitudes have the Foreheads to let fly at him, and diſcover themſelves againſt him. Here's a Warfare where you have the beſt Cauſe, and the beſt Call; and if you ſhrink back, you fall under a Curſe too, even that of Meroz, for not coming to the help of the Lord, againſt ſuch mighty Adverſaries of his Glory.

Do but think with your ſelf, Sir, what an unpardonable Affront would ſuch a one as you account it, to be call'd a Baſtard? And the moſt indelible Brand of Cowardice, not to ſtand up in your own Vindication, under ſuch a vile Imputation. But, truly Sir, if a Son honours his Father, and cannot endure to ſee him expoſed, or hear him ridicul'd; I muſt be bold to tell you, that you give ſhrew'd ſuſpition you are but of a Spurious Brood, and no true Child of the Heavenly Father, when you can find in your heart, ſo unnaturally, and even of ſet purpoſe, to load his Name with Scorn; yea, when you can but be a tame and ſilent Witneſs of his Diſhonour, and your Blood not riſe, and your Spirit not be ſtir'd in you, to put you upon the Vindicating and Aſſerting of his Right and Glory.

Should one offer to give you the Lye, I know, Sir, you would think your Honour ſo touched, there were not only Apology enough for a Quarrel, but even neceſſity of a Duel. And yet if you are a Swearer, pray what conſidering Man will you ever induce to believe that you are no Lyar? For what ſhould make him ſtrain ſo much at a Lye, who has ſo glib a Swallow for Oath upon Oath? When the very ſame Lord that ſaid, Thou ſhalt not forſwear thy ſelf; ſaid alſo, Swear not at all: He that ſticks not to thwart him in the latter, it is hard truſting him in the former. And to tye Truth to ſuch Mens Oaths, how fond and ſenſeleſs is it? It is true, ſay you, for I heard ſuch a one ſwear it: Pitiful Logick! When the right Inference from the Premiſes is juſt on the other ſide, It's falſe, or nothing like to be true, becauſe a Swearer affirmed it. For what's ſaid by the Swearers, be ſure comes from none of Chriſt's Scholars, who is Truth it ſelf; they are better Taught, and Swear not at all. It muſt then come from them, who are of his training up, that is, the Father of Lyes, and is to be credited thereafter. And ſuch muſt never hope to recover their Credit among the Wiſe, till they ceaſe to be found among the Swearers; their Word then, will indeed go a great deal further than now their Oath.

Do but ſee then here, Sir, how miſchievous to the World, and what an irreparable wrong to humane Society, is the weakning theſe Sacred Bonds of Conſcience, by the frequent uſe of Oaths in ordinary Chat, ſo to render them cheap and contemptible; when the Awe and Reverence of an Oath is quite loſt and gone, by debaſing it to every toyiſh purpoſe; And when Men can play with Oaths, even every where; alas, who can expect they ſhould be punctual and ſerious therein any where? And after this rate, what the more ſatisfaction can you have, when you give Men their Oaths, that they do not make a Lye as well as make Oath? And how can the King and Queen be ſure of ſuch Mens Allegiance, or any one elſe of their true Teſtimony or Fidelity to their Promiſe? And ſo Kingdoms are ſhaken, and all Faith and Truſt among Men deſtroyed, by the idle, trivial uſe of Swearing. And for all ſuch Damages accurring to the Publick, from this horrid Abuſe of Speech, every Common Swearer is reſponſible; and much more thoſe of Eminent Station, who by their Examples ſhould teach others better.

How like a Ruler then, that Rules for God, as well as Reigns by him, does the King's moſt Excellent Majeſty now urge the hampering thoſe unruly Beaſts of the People with Penal Inflictions, that will not be wrought upon to forgo ſuch a Barbarous Practice, by any more fair perſwaſive Methods? And as they are the deadly Enemies of their Country, who will not abridge themſelves of this Ungodly Pleaſure, tho' it were to ſave a Church, to ſave a Kingdom, and to pleaſe God and the King both together; So I dare refer it to your ſelf, Sir, (when you do but entertain any ſerious Thoughts) what true Friends they can be to the Publick, who in ſuch a Caſe as this, will Heal and Connive at the Offenders, and not dare, what in them lies, as far as they are bound, to bring ſuch notorious Criminals to Shame and Suffering. But this, alas, we are not like to have the pleaſure of ſeeing, till the Leſſer Wheels move yet more regularly under the Greater. For the Vulgar will not think it good Manners to lead their Betters the way, till yea, yea; and nay, nay; become the Mode of their Landlords and Maſters, as well as of their King and Queen; and not only Sovereignty on the Throne, but Magiſtracy alſo on the Bench, fears an Oath. But, O! how happy then would it be with us, if every one concern'd would act as Good Subjects under the Beſt of Rulers, who are not for bearing the Sword in Vain, but would be (as the Rejoycing of them that do well, ſo) a Terror to Evil-doers.

Now, this, Sir, I cannot but think moſt pertinent for your Conſideration, who profeſs ſo much Love to your Country, and Loyalty to King William and Queen Mary. They are both indeed excellent Pretenſions, and 'tis great pity you ſhould be therein guilty of any Self contradictions.

For how can you ſincerely Love your Country, when you Patronize the curſedthing that bodes nothing but its Ruine? As His Sacred MAJESTY, moſt truly and piouſly, like himſelf, has laid down the Poſition, That our Religion, Peace, and Happineſs, are all endangered by reaſon of that overflowing of Vice, which is too notorious in this Nation.

And what Loyalty to Their Majeſties, when ſtill you are ſo much for the thing, which they have declared themſelves ſo much againſt: 'Tis, methinks, a ſtrange ſort of Loyalty, only to Croſs and Provoke them. Though the Ranting Loyalty of Debauched Ruffians, it's true, was ſometime ſince in Faſhion; yet, pray good Sir, remember, that now it's another Reign, and ſuch Princes (bleſſed be God) we are under, as do not make a Jeſt of all Serious Religion. And the pretence of honouring them with God's Diſhonour, is growing ſo fulſome, that nothing more uncovers the Nakedneſs of the Authors; when the King's publiſhed Letter again acquaints us, That He moſt earneſtly deſires, and will endeavour a General Reformation of the Lives and Manners of all His Subjects, as being that which muſt eſtabliſh His Throne. What Supporters then are they of the Throne, who think ſtill to teſtify their Loyalty by the moſt prophane Extravagancy? And what Honour and Deference do they pay to the Royal Pleaſure, who inſtead of ſtriving to promote it, only give broad Significations, how much they Scorn and Contemn it?

I have heard you declare, Sir, That you are no Papiſt, Phanatick, nor Diſaffected to the Preſent Government. Yea, I perceive too much, you are very forward, uncall'd, to Swear, when ſome will not Swear now, though called to it. But in good truth, Sir, I think it is to little purpoſe, what you do call your ſelf, as long as you abide under this Heinous Guilt; for at the bottom they can be of no Religion at all, but are the fouleſt Scandal to the Chriſtian Name, and a heavy Plague to the World, who Name God in their Oaths, oftner than in their Prayers; and have little to do with Him, but only thus to provoke him. See that you do not here ſymbolize too right with Rome, before you are aware, in poſtponing the weightieſt Matters of the Law, to the Mint, Anniſe and Cummin; while you inveigh moſt bitterly againſt all that (to a hairs breadth) conform not to the Humane Inſtitutions, and in that mean time your ſelf can ſwallow the Camels of ſuch Monſtrous Oaths, as make the greateſt Violation, and the rudeſt Attack upon God's own expreſs Command.

One would think you owed the Church of England no real Kindneſs, Sir, when you ſo eagerly lay claim to its Memberſhip, only to Reproach it; as if it gave you a Protection for that open Ungodlineſs, which the very Light of Nature utterly Shames, and Condemns: And you would prove your ſelf a Son of the Church, by acting like a Child of the Devil. Sir, you too much Credit thoſe, whom you ſo divert your ſelf to Beſpatter; yea, you change Names with them, while you Rant at them. For who in earneſt is the bigger Fanatick and Madcap, he that boggles at an indifferent Ceremony, or he that makes no Conſcience at all of the moſt notorious Damnable Iniquity? Do you think to Convert Diſſenters with your hairbrain'd Swearing and Damning? Or to invite them into our Holy Communion, with ſuch leud Communication? Indeed, no wonder this ſhould make the Offering of the Lord abhorred; and bring a Scandal and Prejudice on the beſt Cauſe it ſelf, for the ſake of ſuch kind of Patrons and Abettors appearing in it, only to turn the Adverſaries Stomacks more, and open their Mouths wider againſt it.

Be it known to you, Sir, The Church of England is no Mother of ſuch Abominations: 'Tis the ſillieſt miſtake in any, that think to find Swearing in her Litany. And he as obſtinately ſhuts his Eyes againſt the Light, who ſees not all irreverent Abuſe of God's Name, cryed down in her Homily. But when you can ſo defile your own Neſt, and Blemiſh the moſt Excellent Profeſſion, as well a deſperately fling at the Glory of Him that made you; Here, if ever, The Righteous Judge of all the Earth is concern'd to ſhew himſelf, and take ſuch Audacious Criminals in hand, to make them feel it in Judgments worthy of God, who will not leave off, ſo to dare him to it; but carry on the Affront ſtill, though their Sin hath not ſo much as the face of any Worldly Intereſt, or Fleſhly Pleaſure in it; and there's no Natural Inclination, or Impetuous Appetite to it, not ſo much as to make the Plea of Humane Infirmity for it. But the mad Swearer ſwears even for pure Swearing ſake; Sins Gratis, in Contempt of Heaven; and ſells his Soul for no Conſideration at all, but out of a Fantaſtick Humour, to follow an inconſiderate Herd to his own Eternal Ruin.

Good Sir, you have Reaſon to Judge and Conſider in Caſes much leſs plain than this; what Lethargy then has ſeized your Senſe, that it does not befriend you here? To reflect, what a fearful thing it is to fall into the Hands of the Living God, who is a Righteous Judge, Strong, and Patient, and wretchedly provoked (you know it) every day. But think you not that he could Command the Earth to open her Jaws, and take the Swearers down quick into Hell, as once it did Corah and his Crew? Or think you not, that he could Rain a Hell down even from Heaven, as he did on Sodom, and the Cities of the Plain? For certain his Arm is not ſhortned, that he cannot; but his Bowels are ſo tender, he waits, and gives ill Men ſpace to Repent and Turn; which if after▪ all his Goodneſs that ſhould lead them to Repentance, they will not, it's time for him then to lay to his Hand, and whet his Sword, and bend his Bow, and make ready his Arrows, and prepare for them the Inſtruments of Death.

Your ſelf, Sir, I am ſure, would never endure to have ſuch Contempt caſt upon you, and ſuch Affronts offered you: And muſt he, that is ſo beyond all Compariſon more Excellent, be thus put upon, and take all the fouleſt Indignities from you? All the Patience in the World elſe, would never bear at this rate. And abundant Experience indeed, Sir, you have had of it, that God is Long-ſuffering; But yet he that endures ſo long, will not do it always: Abuſed mercy muſt be righted, and will have Vengeance. Though the prophane Swearer may be ready to think himſelf hail-fellow with his Glorious Maker; yet be ſure his Sin will find him out. God has his Book of Accounts, in which all the Oaths ſtand upon Record; and he hath ſaid, He will not hold him Guiltleſs: And the Blaſphemous Wretch will be like to find a Meioſis too in that Threat, which imports thus much more than is expreſt, that ſuch ſhall be proceeded againſt as the moſt guilty. And 'tis as if he ſhould ſay, I will be ſure to puniſh them, whoever elſe eſcape; becauſe of my Name, I am moſt tender, even as the Apple of mine Eye; ſuch ſhall therefore take my Name in vain another day too, and in the laſt Judgment, cry Lord, Lord, but I will not hear them. And after all their time of Swearing and Slighting me, I will take my time to caſt them off, and ſwear they ſhall never enter into my Reſt.

Thus is the Swearer's Doom gone out already: And he does but Antedate his own Eternal Dirges, as he ſo often Anticipates the Sentence of his own Damnation; beginning betimes to Exerciſe himſelf in that Curſing and Blaſpheming, which is like to be the beſt Muſick of his Torments for ever; and ſo well may Orcus ſignify, both an Oath and Hell, when they are ſo near a kin. The place rings with ſuch ſounds, and it gapes for ſuch Miſcreants, as uſe to belch out this Poyſon, only to pleaſe a Deviliſh Humour.

Now, Sir, will you cry, Damn him, he Preaches Damnation? Though you ſhould ſo vent your Indignation; you know a Reaſon why I am not to wonder at the very worſt you can ſay againſt your Fellow Creature. But with your leave, Sir, if I do predict the Wrath to come, that you may flee from it, I think I do but offer you a Bleſſing for your Imprecation; and let my Charity find only the contemptuous Return, He Preaches! I ſhall as little regard to be made the ſcorn of the Swearers, as the ſong of the Drunkards.

But I hope better things yet, Sir, from ſuch a Temper and Reaſon as yours. I hope that you, who can be ſo obliging to others, will not preverſly ſhake off a Servant of his, you call your Saviour, only Praying you in Chriſt's ſtead to be Reconciled unto God. I hope that you, who know ſo much more than many of your poor Inferiors, will be Wiſer than to make the ſad purchaſe of more ſtripes, for ſtriking ſo madly at God himſelf, when as Conſcience cannot chuſe but tell you all the while, 'tis nothing but kicking againſt the pricks, and Strugling with Him, who will certainly prove quite too hard for you.

Your fair Reception of a late Friendly Admonition, ſpeaks you to be of another nature than thoſe Beaſts that turn again, and rent their Reprovers. And it is a thouſand pities, that a Diſpoſition and Ingenuity capable of the moſt Excellent Impreſſions, ſhould be ſo over-run with rank Weeds, and the moſt pernicious Briars.

Alas, Sir, What can you ever propoſe to your ſelf, in adhering to a ſcandalous Haunt, that hath no manner of Satisfaction, even to the Carnal Appetite; pleaſeth never a ſenſe? You know what the Ingenious and Honourable Mr. Herbert ſays, Were I an Epicure, I could bate Swearing; 'tis Pleaſure that drills on the Drunkard; filthy Lucre that's the Miſers bait; and the Ambitious tow'rs after the Lure of Honour; all have ſome Colour, tho' falſe, for their Evil; only the Diabolical Swearer embraces Wickedneſs even for it ſelf.

Let me beſeech you then, Sir, for pity to your own Soul, (if not for the Fear and Love of God) Reſcue it from the Bonds of this Ruining Cuſtom, and do not yield your ſelf to be taken Captive by the Devil at his will. But after all your impious Oaths, will you make one Religious Vow, never ſo to Swear again; and Fear an Oath, even as you would dread a Chain that will bind you to Fire Unquenchable. O! let him that gave you a Tongue, and Power to uſe it, have the Praiſe and Glory of it. And do not make it the Weapon ſo to Fight with your Maker, againſt whom none did ever ſtand it out and proſper. Nor think it will ever at all ſeſſen your ſelf, ſhould you vouchſafe moſt highly to magnifie Him, and for ever ſtand in awe of Him, whom all the Nobleſt Creatures in the World are Ambitious to Honour and Adore.

Can it chuſe, Sir, but grate hard upon your Rational Senſe, to pervert that Power of ſpeaking, which ſets you ſo much above the Bruits, to make you even like the Devils? And ſhall the Member, ſtil'd your Glory, only ſerve to ſhame your ſelf, for throwing Dirt with it at your Lord and Maſter? O! What hath he ever done to you, that you ſhould ſo fly upon him? Hath he filled you ſo full with his abundant Kindneſſes of various Sorts, only that you ſhould Swell and Burſt out againſt him▪ and ever and anon be ſpeaking Evil of him, who is continually doing you good? And what are you made of, if that moſt Venerable Word of his, which Awes all the World, is no more to you than the moſt Contemptible Ballad, which you can trample in the dirt; venturing ſtill to Swear ſo thick, when therein you are ſo ſtrictly charged, Not to do it at all?

O! Sir, as you have, I ſay, not only any Conſcience and Religion of a Chriſtian, but any Sobriety, Decency, and Diſcretion of a Man; have no more to do with ſuch notorious Works of the Devil, but Renounce, Reprove them, and teſtifie your Abhorrence of them; and make all elſe, that ever you are able, aſham'd and afraid of them. O! uſe your Tongue henceforth to better purpoſes, than as the Boyſtrous Inſtrument to lift up againſt Heaven, and deſtroy your own Soul, and injure all your Neighbours, (I ſay All) while you nothing but harden ſome, and ſadden the reſt. And let not the ſame Mouth, with which you pray to God, and praiſe him, be ever wrung to thoſe harſh and hideous Notes of Curſing and Blaſpheming.

O! be thankful to him, that he hath not long ſince taken you off in the Act of Swearing, and thrown you down into the Place of endleſs Curſing. And ſpeak Good of his Name, which he would have to be for ever exalted above all things; take it not into your Mouth only to pollute it; nor ever mention it, but with all Reverence and Godly Fear. If you take not the Lord for a dumb Idol, dare not any more ſo to Reproach the Living God. For, alas, the little Bubble that ſwells, and arrogantly imagines to appear Big for huffing the Almighty himſelf, will but thus the ſooner be daſhed to pieces; and God will get Glory to himſelf in confounding the proud Rebel, who after a little Blaze, ſhall go out in a Stench here, and awake hereafter to Shame and Everlaſting Contempt. But them that Honour him, God will Honour: Honour them with that Honour that is of himſelf, a deſerved Reputation on Earth, and Glory Everlaſting in his Heavenly Kingdom.

SIR, I fear you are tired with reading, and I hope you will grow as weary of the rebuked Sin, which elſe will bring you a far heavier Reckoning. I pray, that you may ſo feel the Burden of its Guilt, that you may never feel the Weight of its Puniſhment. And God grant that you may become as Eminent and Exemplary for your Tenderneſs and Zeal to Reverence the Name of God, and Aſſert his Glory, as ever you have been Obnoxious, and under Cenſure, for making bold with his Titles, and trampling upon his Honour. I am, Sir,

I Muſt beg your Pardon, if I cannot apprehend any juſt Cauſe of Diſpleaſure given, That a Copy of the Former was Publiſhed for the ſake of others; when as the Name is ſtill concealed, for the ſake of one beſt known to your ſelf. It being upon no Perſon at all, but meerly upon the Thing which moſt groſly Diſhonours any Perſon, that I would caſt the Diſgrace. And when it is to be feared, There are many equally concerned as your ſelf in the Miſcarriage: I cannot be ſorry, they ſhould all take their Share in this Publication: Which carries no Deſign to Libel any particular Gentleman; but to diſperſe a general Admonition to as many as will be no kinder to themſelves, than to make it pertinent to their own Caſe. At leaſt I would Perſtringe, whom I cannot Reclaim: And throw my Bucket upon that Flame, which is too Outragious for me to Flatter my ſelf with the Hopes of quite Extinguiſhing.

YOU may think your ſelf out of my Thoughts, as well as out of my Reach, Sir, now you have croſs'd the Waters, to abide in Parts more Remote: But as all the Waters in that Channel you have paſt, cannot quench my Concernment for you; ſo the Kindneſs of a Noble Friend who divides with me the Cure of your Welfare, (That theſe Applications, which carry ſome Heat, may not find you as the Clay, but the Wax;) has aſſured me of ſuch a Conveyance, that this ſhall not fail to find you out: Yet, Sir, I had no Thoughts of ſending after you the SECOND ADDRESS till I perceived you took along with you ſome Reſentments occaſioned by the Former: Which I know, told too much Truth to Pleaſe any, but ſuch as in Earneſt hate the Rebuked Evil: and count it no Expoſing of themſelves, to ſee that which Diſhonours God put to Confuſion.

THAT I take upon me agen to Advertiſe you, Sir, of a domeſtick Enemy, which I fear may prove more pernicious to you, than you are apt to imagine, and threatens you with bigger Dangers, than any from French or Iriſh (let them do the worſt that God ſhall ſuffer them:) If my Calling does not give me Warrant to do it, I am ſure my Conſcience would not give me Quiet till I did it. And I had rather be Blamed as too Officious, for tendering a Rejected piece of Service and Friendſhip; than lye under ſome other Frowns and Rebukes, more grievous to be born, than any I fear from Men. However, I apprehend it a Bold Attempt, not only to Hazard the diſpleaſure of any above me, but alſo to Engage againſt me a whole Band of Sticklers for their Diana, who peradventure upon ſuch an Occaſion, may add to their former Scores, and Bind themſelves in ſome New Oaths of Vengeance: Yet this to me gives Encouragement enough to Ballance whatever's difficult or frightful in the Undertaking, That I am but perſuing the Service which I have Vowed to God, and the Loyalty which I have Sworn to Their Majeſties: And herein have not any manner of Perſonal Quarrel to incite me; nor a deſign to defame ought in the World, but the moſt Odious Impiety it ſelf: and what I can to Enervate the Force of that which I have more than a ſingle Engagement upon me to Fight againſt.

NOR is it at the Gentry that I have the leaſt Pique at all: than among whom I do not know more Excellent Chriſtians in the World: And to whoſe Kindneſs and Reſpects I have ſo many particular Obligations: (more than are fit for my Expreſſion, as well as above my Expectation:) Enough to tempt me to Pride and Boaſting, rather than to any other ſort of Ill Humour. And I muſt leave others to judge, What Room there can be for the Objection, That I ſhould invidiouſly derogate from that which I have nothing to ſhew for my ſelf, (though I am ſenſible how inconſiderable is the Honour derived from a Family, to add one Cubit to Onos Stature.) And I count it but Loſs, &c. But therefore to the Gentleman do I make my Application, both as ſuppoſing him Maſter of the Quickeſt Senſe to take the Impreſſions of Reaſon; and alſo to have the biggeſt Influence, to Credit whatever ſuch a one as He Eſpouſes and Favours: And, by that Medium, the more to Hurt or Benefit many others. Now for the Succeſs, I muſt leave it in his Hands, who Faſhions all Hearts; hoping it will not be utterly Fruſtrate and Loſt upon all: Tho' to ſome it ſhould prove no better than a New Verification of the Prophets Old Complaint, I will get me to the Great Men, and will ſpeak unto them, for they have known the Way of the Lord, and the Judgment of their God: But theſe have altogether Broken the Yoke, and Burſt the Bonds.

Sir, As I cannot be eager to live in the Fire, ſo 'tis far from my Deſign, to be a Man of Contention: Yet you know there is a Warfare wherein I am full as much concerned as you, which engages us, upon ſome Occaſions, to Contend, and that Earnestly too. Who ever call ſuch Zeal and Fidelity to our Lord, nothing but Pragmaticalneſs and Enmity to our Neighbours: Theſe are the ſame kind of Judges among whom that paſſes for the only Charity, which the ſacred Oracles call Hating our Brother in our Heart, who think every one hates them that does not rightly humour them: And cry out of the Reprover for a Turbulent Wrangler; though he breaks no Peace, unleſs that which the Prince of Peace himſelf tells us, He did not come to ſend: The Peace which nuzzles Men up in thoſe Sins that Ripen them for Hell; crying, All's well, till all be Undone. But whenever I muſt be ſo unhappy to loſe Friends, or procure Foes, I ſhall count it none of the moſt opprobrious, (as I am ſure it's none of the worſt) ways to do it, in the Conſcientious Diſcharge of that Juſtice and Charity which I owe to my Neighbours Soul. And I cannot think there's much occaſion to droop under the Indignation of thoſe that ſhew no ſuch Antipathy, either againſt the Ghoſtly Enemies which they have Vowed to GOD, or againſt the Worldly, which they are paid by Their Majeſties, ſtrenuouſly to Oppoſe; as againſt the Honeſt Reprover whom they ſtomack as the bigeſt Offender; and take none for ſuch a bitter deadly Foe, as him that would bereave them of that Darling, which our Saviour calls, The Right Hand and the Right Eye: And who would much regard the Slander or Clamour of their Mouths, that can ſo far forget and debaſe themſelves, as to act not only the Clown, but the Fiend, to fly in the very Face of Him that made them?

IF you thought, Sir, that I ſaid too much to the Gentleman, the Magiſtrate, or the Souldier; I muſt beſeech you to excuſe me, that herein I am ſo far from being of your Mind, that I do not think I have ſaid enough; And therefore this comes as a ſupplement, further to urge thoſe things which many may judge fit for you to hear; though I am far from Judging my ſelf the fitteſt to ſpeak: yet having my hand in, I will do as I can, where I cannot as I would.

AND to begin again with the Gentleman, (who may expect to be firſt ſerved, though, if Guilty, he might better like ſome other Service:) It may be thought a Solaeciſm in Manners, for an ordinary Man to make ſo bold as mention Decency to ſuch as have had Opportunities better to know the Laws of Polite Breeding. Though it was one of the Apoſtles that ſeconded his Lord, in giving that Charge, Above all things, my Brethren, Swear not. Who knows but ſome Huffing Gentlemen, (ſhould we direct this towards them,) might Quarrel both his Office, and his ſtrictneſs in the Point. What, no more but my Brethren? Hold Friend, We are your Maſters. And Swear not Above all things? Why is that the Worſt Thing you can name? What do you think of the Diſſimulation and Hypocryſie of Godly Cheats? Truly Sir, I think as bad as ever you can of them, wherever they are found: But I hope this Apoſtle was not one of 'em, for giving ſuch a Check to the Swearers Practice. I profeſs I am under a mighty Miſtake, if a Man may not rebuke odious Impiety, without being a Hypocrite. Yea, when upon occaſion he does not teſtifie his Deteſtation of it, I ſee not how he can be the Faithful Servant of his LORD, with a Heart Right in the Sight of God: When one of the beſt Churches that ever was in the World, (Rev. 2. 2.) tho' among other Parts of her high Elogium, was commended for her Patience, yet) could not bear them that were Evil. And the meek Moſes himſelf (you know) was Hot in GOD's Cauſe. Yea, even the Pacifick Lamb of God, who, for his ſweet obliging Temper, heard Friend of Publicans and Sinners, yet could not forbear to Laſh out of the Temple its Profaners: And had he met with another ſort of Prophane, that make ſo Bold with a far Greater than the Temple, I cannot believe he would have thought them deſerving of any Fairer Quarter.

But though 'tis no New Shift of Prophane Men, to put off their Admoniſhers with the Retort of Hypocriſie: And you may take it for Paradox, That Hypocriſie and Prophanneſs ſhould ever Cohabit in the ſame Breaſt: Yet the Solution is obvious to a duller Apprehenſion than yours, that will but obſerve it. For in Conſcience, Sir, what better Name than Hypocrite belongs to him that takes on him to be what he is not, yea what really he hates to be? Now does not the rudeſt Swearer and moſt ſcandalous Liver among us, own himſelf a Chriſtian? And would be much aggrieved not to be ſo reputed and called: A Chriſtian! That is, A Profeſſor of the Holieſt Religion in the World: And yet if he openly act, as it were in ſpight of that moſt Holy Profeſſion, and makes but a meer Scorn of its Excellent Rules and Precepts, particularly thoſe againſt Swearing: To what purpoſe does he profeſs it, but to play the Hypocrite, and Diſgrace it? Pretending to Chriſtianity, and yet when warn'd to Forbear thoſe very Works of the Devil, which as a Chriſtian, he has ſolemnly Vowed to Renounce: (And which indeed common Morality as well as Chriſtianity cries ſhame of:) He is only exaſperated, and moved much more to Choller, than to Amendment. As you know ſome, Sir, that can ſo ill bear to be dealt with upon this account: They do not very Genteelly uſe ſuch, as even in the faireſt manner, offer them the kindeſt Friendſhip.

And ſuch you know that look ſo big, as if all of Inferiour Rank were quite below their Notice: Or at leaſt very Sawcy and Pragmatical, if they Offer at more Service to GOD, than Themſelves: That can Rip and Tear, like thoſe that would Banter Heaven it ſelf, and Run down the ever Bleſſed Majeſty that there inhabits. As if the poor angry Worm which can but juſt crawl along the Ground, ſhould think to ſully or put out the Glorious Sun, with ſquirting a little Dirt. Thus do they go to force themſelves a Reputation by carrying it with a High Hand towards their Lord and Judge, as nothing afraid of Him, nor caring at all what his Word ſays to 'em. This, Sir, is Pure forcing things indeed; even as if they ſhould ſtrive to make the Stream of a River run upwards. For the World (however it Lies in Wickedneſs,) is not yet grown ſo Degenerate, as to count this Carriage Lovely and of good Report. Or what if it ſhould be never ſo Highly Eſteemed among Men, when 'tis Abomination in the ſight of God? And I may be confident that not one of the Knot can ever Believe that God thinks well of it: or can expect to hear at laſt from Him, Well done good and faithful Servant, for it. Though the Cry of his Companions is, A good honeſt ingenuous Fellow! The moſt Authentick Records in the World call him, The Wicked, who through the Pride of his Countenance will not ſeek after God. And expoſe him for no better than an arrant Fool that ſcorns the fear of the Lord. Let them be the greateſt Kings and Judges of the Earth, they are very ill inſtructed, and far from Wiſe, if they ſerve him not with more Fear. Were ſuch aſſuming Wickedneſs Recommendation enough for a Gentleman, How cheap a thing would Gentility be? When even the vileſt Wretch that's good for nothing, can ſoon get the Knack, to be an Egregious Bold-fac'd Sinner, luſtily to Tun in his Drink, and Belch out his Oaths: And, it may be, Blaſpheme GOD, and Bleſs the King, both in a Breath: Glorying in his Shame, inſtead of giving God the Glory; and the worſe he does, thinking himſelf the Better to paſs.

But how eaſie is it, Sir, to ſhew you A more excellent Way? He that would juſtifie his Claim to a Brave Mind, muſt not count Religion, but ſuch Impiety, far Below him; eſteeming it the Higheſt Birth to be Born of God, and ask the King of Heaven Bleſſing: And ſeeing more Excellence even in deſpiſed Godlineſs, than in all the Gallantry of this World: In whoſe Eyes a Vile Perſon is contemned, though never ſo Gay: But he Honours them that Fears the Lord, be they never ſo mean. The Mark of a truly Great Spirit, is to aſpire after that Nobleſt Attainment, to be Great with the Moſt High himſelf. Not Lucifer-like, to Rival with him; and think to ſet up for a Great Some-Body, for daring to be exceſſive Ʋngodly: Nor to huff and ſtorm as the Lofty Pharoah, who, (though ſo big a Man,) was but a ſilly Rebel for asking, Who is the Lord, that I ſhould Obey him? As if it would too much have undervalued his Worth, to own any above him. So would ſome be thought more than Men, who perhaps of all others, have the leaſt of Men in them. For let a Man appear never ſo Splendid abroad, (if the TONGUE be any Index of the Mind, and he may diſcover that Heart to the Ear, which our Eyes cannot ſee▪) As the Stinking Breath makes us ſuſpect ſomething Corrupt within: His Speech Bewrays him more than his Face. And the Blaſphemous Mouth ſpeaks his Soul to be even as Black as Hell: And then he muſt not think it much, that he is no more honoured, who will make himſelf ſo Cheap. Or whatever Caps and Knees and Complements come in, he may look on all the Reſpect Men give him, as owing meerly to his Worldly Appendages about him; out of which Theatrical Gear if he were ſtript, he might, (for any right Worthy Accompliſhments of his own,) look as ridiculous even as Aeſop's Jay.

METHINKS, Sir, ſuch as have been Well-Bred, do very ill uſe it, when they Scurrilouſly Abuſe their Betters, eſpecially Him, who is ſo tranſcendently the Beſt, to whom they are Debtors for all the Advantages that ever they Enjoy above others. But how can it in truth deſerve the name of Good-Breeding, that does not ſo much as teach Good Manners? And what Worſe Manners can there be, than moſt rudely to Treat the Nobleſt Friend and Benefactor we have in the World? Has any Gentleman, think you, a Licence to make bolder with God than his pooreſt inferior ſhould? When of a Truth, God is no reſpecter of Perſons; but in every Nation he Accepts the Man (though of the loweſt Rank) that Fears Him and Works Righteouſneſs; and in no place will he accept the Gentleman, or other, that nothing but Deſpiſes him, and works Wickedneſs.

From Noble Organs, Sir, we expect Harmonious Sounds: and Veſſe • s of Honour ſure ſhould not be proſtituted to the baſeſt uſes. The Foul mouth can never at all become the fine Gentleman. Indeed no Gentleman can ever Credit ſuch an odious Sin, which does ſo extreamly diſparage any man. To feed on the courſeſt Fare, or filthyeſt Traſh, and Carrion it ſelf, how baſe and unworthy your Quality would you account it? And yet, if you will abide by the Determination of the Beſt Judge in the World, you muſt acknowledg that no Meat which goes into the Mouth, does ſo much Defile a man, as the Wicked Words which come out of it. Pardon the Freedom, Sir, of ſuch as make bold to tell you, That they who count themſelves ſo much better Perſons, ought to ſet much better Patterns, and excell their Neighbours in Generous Vertue, and Heroick Piety, as well as in outward Eſtate and Dignity, elſe they are Perſons of ſuch Quality, as is little to their Honour. And many whom they ſcorn for their vile Parentage▪ may really prove much the Better Men; becauſe the more Sober, Juſt, and Holy Chriſtians. Indeed the Better men are▪ ſo much the Worſe they make themſelves, by doing thus ill: For that nothing is ſo Bad as the Corruption of the Beſt. And when the Gentleman-Swearer ſhall come to undreſs for another World, he may wiſh, That not only his Gentility, but all Remembrance of it too, were put off with his Mortality, rather than find it Riſe up to Enflame his Reckoning, that ſuch a one as he ſhould do ſo naught, whom God ſo deeply engaged to do better.

NEVER think then, Sir, That can at all Excuſe, which does but ſtill Aggrand the Crime; for the more you are a Gentleman, the more ſhould you abhor the thing which Taints your Blood, eſpecially the moſt unbecoming thing in the World, which is, inſtead of paying Honourable Reſpects where Honour is due, to caſt a rude Contempt on the very Head Fountain of all Honour. If no injury exaſperate ſo much as Contempt, and no Contempt ſo much as that of our Superiors; (who as they ſhould be moſt Deſerving of Reſpects, ſo are moſt Senſible of Diſparagement:) O! what is it then to Deſpiſe the Great God himſelf? The calling all men Lyars, and engaging the whole World againſt us, were leſs Rude, as well as leſs Unadviſed than to Affront the Supream Majeſty of the World, and grow upon him, as if he were a God of Clouts, that neither Saw, nor Heard, nor would ever Viſit for theſe things.

Be not deceived, Sir, As God is not Mocked, to be impoſed upon by the cloſeſt Hypocrite; ſo neither will he be Braved to Arreſt Judgment againſt the moſt Ranting Son of Pride. Such, you know, God is ſaid to Reſiſt; and if Omnipotence ſet it ſelf againſt a Leaf; alas, what can all its Ruſtling do? Belſhazzar may Dazzle and Daunt ſome poor Mortals; but the Writing on the Wall will much more Damp himſelf. Whatever be the Figure he makes for a while in the World, though clad in Purple, underlaid with Gold, Pompouſly Attended, and Generally Admired; yea, to carry it higher, in the words of Zophar, though his Excellency Mount up to the Heavens, and his head reach to the Clouds; yet (how ſhort is all this Triumphing?) he ſhall periſh for ever like his own Dung; they that have ſeen him ſhall ſay, where is he? He that ſits in Heaven ſhall deride the Vanity of ſuch Fools that mock at Sin, and thought to ſet at naught the Dreadful Judge of Quick and Dead; whoſe leaſt Appearance (at his coming to Reckon with them) will looſe the Joynts of their Loyns, and make their Knees ſmite one againſt another, and ſet them a begging the Favour of Rocks and Mountains to fall upon 'em, and Conceal them from Him.

NOW, caſting my ſelf at the Gentlemans Feet for this Parrheſia: That I may not be miſtaken, for too bold with Magiſtracy, which none can in truth more highly Honour and Reverence, as the Ordinance of God, and for which I conſtantly do Bleſs his Name, as one of the eſpecial Tokens of his Love to the World, in ſetting up theſe Shields of the Earth, to ſecure us from Wrong and Rapine; to whom, under God, we owe our Lives, and all the Good things we can call our own here, and all the outward advantages of attaining to live for ever Bleſſed hereafter; and in conſideration of the continual Care and Burden they undergo upon our Account, and the ſundry Benefits we Enjoy by their means; we are not only to Accept it always, and every where, with all Thankfulneſs; but for ſupporting the Strength and Credit of ſuch Government, chearfully contribute all that we are able.

Let me beg you'll believe me, Sir, That my Freedom of ſpeaking to you in this your Worſhipfull Capacity, is rather from an Exceſs, than any Defect of Honour to your Eminent Station; as being ſo highly concerned for any thing which to me ſeems derogating from the Dignity of your Office, and to weaken that Authority, which I know to be moſt uſefull and neceſſary for the good of the World, that indeed my fear of your bringing the ſame into Contempt, is that which has given me all this boldneſs, to offer ſomewhat that might be cautionary to your ſerious conſideraon; and though every one will not tell you ſo much, and but few, it may be, go ſo far with you; yet am I well aſſured, that herein I ſpeak the ſenſe of many, much more conſiderable than my ſelf. The Celebrated Author of the Gentlemans Calling Reaſons to the ſame effect, when he tells you, That the Zealous Endeavour of Reforming your ſelves and others, will reſcue your Reputation from that Fouleſt Blot, of being an Agent for Satan; and advance it to the higheſt Dignity of being Serviceable to God: So Biſhop Sanderſon long before; Fear not to ſay to the Wicked, Lift not up your Horn, ſo ſhall you preſerve your Perſons and your Places from being Baffled and Blurted by every Lewd Companion. Yea, wonder not, Sir, if upon ſuch in Authority as are your Partners in this Guilt, all Thoughtful men do charge the Blame of that Impudent Domineering Wickedneſs, which gives ſo full a check to the Compleating of thoſe Mercies, wherewith God has been pleas'd ſo far to Bleſs us already. When he has Graciouſly opened ſuch a Fountain of Juſtice Above, where does it ſtick, but at the Miniſters of Juſtice Below, if Judgment Run not down as Waters, and Righteouſneſs as a Mighty Stream?

Did all the Kings Repreſentatives but Repreſent alſo his Sobriety, Piety, and every thing in his Sacred Majeſty, which is ſo Highly Praiſe-worthy; ſuch Refulgent Mirrors every where would ſtrike that Awe and Confuſion into the Wild Prophane Generation, as might make even thoſe who hate to be Reformed, yet afraid and aſhamed to be ſo avowedly Wicked. But this ſo much breaks the Royal Deſign for Reformation of Lives and Manners; when many of thoſe whom the King Entruſts and Adjures to Aſſiſt him in it, (if not obnoxious themſelves, and fitter to abide Cenſure than Inflict it, yet) are ſo Remiſs in doing their Lords Will, to make the Vile Impious Gang feel their Power; that theſe dare Swear and Curſe, and act worſe than the Bruit even juſt before their Faces; and the Men of Might can find no Hands, nor ſo much as a Tongue or Frown, to make them ſenſible of their Evil doings: Yea would to God we had none Diſaffected to the Higher Powers upon this very account; becauſe (in the Opinion of ſuch) they take too much upon them, in attempting to amend ſuch Matters as they judge not only tolerable, but even the Trim Ornaments, and Piquaint Reliſh of Society.

Have we none who give Suſpition, that they would much better like their Prince if he were not ſo ſtiff a Back to the Edge▪ which he Commands us to turn againſt this Sin; for how can they, who are ſo incenſed at their Reprovers, be very well pleas'd with ſuch as ſet us on, whether the Heavenly Majeſty or his Vicegerents on Earth? The ſnapping at us, does reflect ſomewhere elſe. And 'tis not indeed to be expected, that ſuch a Reign as caſts diſgrace upon them, ſhould be heartily liked by them; if we were in worſe Hands, it might better ſerve their Turns; But if Scandalous Wickedneſs ſhall not ſtill be in Requeſt, there's a mighty Crew will hold themſelves aggrieved: Ranging doggedly too and fro, and Grudging if they be not ſatisfied, to have it as they have had it. And no Wonder if Pious Rulers be Maligned and Stomached by them; when alas, any ſtrict Regularity is not only as Shackles, but even Death to 'em: To be curtail'd and abridg'd of their lewd Ranting Liberties, they cannot bear it.

YOU may have heard of a Time, Sir, when the fouleſt Extravagancy was counted an Expreſſion of Loyalty: And ſome of the worſt Mens Wickedneſs was to paſs for a piece of Allegiance: Yea, ſuch as boaſted themſelves the KING's beſt Friends, were ready to break the Heads of thoſe that refuſed (with Swearing and Drinking) to break the Kings Laws: Speaking againſt ſuch, whoſe Sobriety put them to ſhame, after the Drink had put themſelves almoſt paſt ſpeaking. And all that were againſt their Ryot, were againſt the King ſtreight, and who would not be of the Confederacy, to be Traytors to Chriſt, muſt down in their Black Book, for ill Members of the Government. (The old Nonſence of ſuch as are hard put to it, ſtill to keep their hold of thoſe Favourite Sins, which God and his Meſſengers call them to Turn from.) Some may hang the head, and bewail their Misfortune, that thoſe days are now paſt. But I dare not tell you, Sir, that I am ſorry for this their ſorrow; I muſt rather tell you, I take it for the great Greivance of all that are Decent and Orderly in the Land, that ſuch Evil Doers are no more ſnub'd and curb'd: Now they are driven out of their old Fatneſs, and cannot ſhelter their Licentious Pranks, under the Kings Name, can have no Protection, but from looſe Magiſtrates, when they offer to ſet up again.

But ſhould we yet after all Miſcarry, where but at the doors of ſuch Cyphers and Supine Rulers, (the Pictures of Authority, that repreſent the King but only in Effigie) muſt lye the Blood of a loſt Nation? When it was put into your very Hands, to Maul the Topping Miſchiefs, in Executing thoſe Good Laws we have againſt ſuch Incorrigible Offenders; and you could not find in your Hearts to do us ſo much Good, as to Act that Worthy Part: No, the Church might call long enough, Who will riſe up for me againſt the Evill Doers? Who will ſtand up for me againſt the Workers of Iniquity? And you would not be pleaſed (to bear a ſhare with thoſe truely Great and Senſible Patriots, which, Bleſſed be God we have, and Rejoyce in them, as ſome of our Richeſt Treaſure, and look upon them with Veneration, as Stars of the Firſt Magnitude, and for Ruling well, count them Worthy of more than Double Honour. And we hope they are not ſo thin ſowed over the Nation now, as Biſhop Sanderſon obſerved in his Time, Here and there, ſaith he, One or two, peradventure in a whole ſide of a Country to be found, that make Conſcience of their Duty more than the reſt, and are forward to do the beſt Good they can: God's Bleſſing reſt upon their Heads for it. You would not add to their Number,) to endear yourſelves, and oblige your Country ſo far. But by an Oſcitant Slackneſs, and Lax Connivance, (Bearing the Sword in vain, and never reflecting on the impudent Sinners, to expoſe them for Exemplary Sufferers, nor making them that do ſo Evil afraid:) You even bid the Lewd Companions, be filthy ſtill: And ſo let all go to Naught and Ruine; as who ſhould ſay, There, there, ſo would we have it.

LET me beg your Patience, Sir, while I inſert here ſome Bigger Authorities than my own; that may peradventure move more with you: And the Excellence of their Appoſite Reaſonings, and Happy Expreſſions, will, I hope, more than Recompence for the Length.

The Examples of many great Perſons, who were able to be the Sovereign Reſtorers of Vertue, and Re-eſtabliſhers of a Happy World, with the endleſs Bliſs of many now periſhing through their great Default, are at this day the onely Ruine and Deſpair of Goodneſs: Having forgot whoſe Lieutenants they are in the World, for what end they were placed, for what end they are honoured, and moſt of all, what a great Account they have to paſs at the Laſt Audit: When their Favourites and Fancy-feeding Flatterers ſhall all ſhrink from them; and nothing but their own Deeds and Deſerts accompany them, Sir Edw. Sand. Survey.

WHO, forſooth, is the Brave Spark, the Compleat Gentleman, the Man of Converſation and Addreſs, but he that hath the Skill and Confidence (O Heavens, how mean a Skill! How mad a Confidence!) to Lard every Sentence with an Oath, or a Curſe?—'Tis wonderful, that any Perſon of Rank ſhould deign to Comply with ſo ſcurvy a Faſhion: A Faſhion more befitting the Scum of the People, than the Flower of the Gentry.—If Gentlemen would regard, the Vertues of their Anceſtors, which advanced their Families, and ſevered them from the Vulgar: This degenerate Wantonneſs and Sordidneſs of Language, would return to the Dunghill, or rather (which God grant) be quite Baniſht from the World: The Vulgar following their Example. Dr. Barrow.

THE Gates of Rome, the Gates of Hell, could not hurt us, if we did not hurt our ſelves: But as every Sin is a Traytor to a Mans own Soul; ſo every wicked Man is a Traytor to his King. Let him ſooth and ſwear what he will, his Sins are ſo many Treaſons againſt the Prince and State; for Ruine is from Iniquity. Ye that are Magiſtrates then, not for GOD's ſake only, but for the King's ſake, whoſe Deputies you are, as he is God's: Not for Religion only, but for very Policy, as you tender the dear Life of our Gracious Sovereign: As you regard the ſweet Peace of this State and Kingdom, the Welfare of this Church: Yea, as you love your own Life, Peace, Welfare; rouze up your Spirits, awaken your Chriſtian Courage, and ſet your ſelves heartily againſt the Traytorly Sins of theſe Times, which threaten the Bane of all theſe. Bp. Hall. Panegyr.

THO' there be too many Springs which feed the Ocean of Prophanneſs and Impiety that overflows this poor Nation, yet there will ſcarce any be found to have more liberally contributed, than the open and ſcandalous Viciouſneſs of the Gentry.—'Tis they that have brought Vice into Countenance; made it the Mode and Faſhion of the Times; ſo that People dread the Singularity of being innocent: And a Man may with leſs peril of ſcorn, appear in the moſt ſuperannuated Dreſs, than own the obſolete Qualities of Meekneſs, Sobriety, &c. When Gentlemen are Atheiſtical, Clowns will think themſelves very modeſtly wicked, if they be but prophane.

—This Converts the Bridle into a Spur, when thoſe that ſhould diſcountenance Vice, thus animate and encourage it.—Turning Communities of Men into Herds of Beaſts; yea, into Legions of Devils, Gent. Call.

SUCH love their own Eaſe ſo well, they care not which way things go, backward or forward, ſo that themſelves may ſit ſtill, and not be troubled.—Of Gallio's Temper, who, though a foul Outrage was committed under his Noſe, and in ſight of the Bench, yet the Text ſays, He cared for none of thoſe things: So the forenamed Biſhop. But Laws, (ſaith he) are better unmade than unkept: And without Execution, of leſs Regard than Scare-Crows in the Corn-Fields; of which the Birds are a little afraid at firſt, but ſoon after they are a little uſed to 'em, they grow ſo bold with 'em, as to ſit on their Heads, and defile them. He calls you Lex Loquens, who are to breath freſh Life into the Languiſhing Laws; which of themſelves will not let even the Great Ones break through; but only by the Abuſe of Bad Men, together with the Baſeneſs or Cowardice of ſordid or ſluggiſh Magiſtrates, who let the Wicked eſcape, (if not otherwiſe taken off:) dogg'd off by their own Guilty Conſciences.

AND becauſe you may bear ſuch ſharpneſs better from the Right Reverend, than from one of a much Inferiour Order: Take his Parabolical Repreſentation of the Matter to cloſe this Part.

Imagine you ſaw a goodly Tall Fellow, trickt up with Feathers and Ribbands, and a glittering Sword in his hand, enter the Liſts like a Champion, and Challenge all Comers: By and by ſteps in another Man, perhaps of his own ſize, but without either Sword or Staff, and does but ſhew his Teeth, and ſtare upon him; whereat my Gay Champion firſt trembles, and anon for very fear lets his ſword fall, and ſhrinks himſelf into the Crowd: Think what a ridiculous ſight this would be: And juſt ſuch another thing as this is a fearful Magiſtrate; that ſtands on the ſtage, and raiſes Expectation, as if he would do ſomething: But out-brav'd with big Looks and Bug-Words, draws on himſelf ſcorn and contempt.—O divide not Honorem ab Onere. Do not decline thoſe Burdens which cleave to the Honours you ſuſtein. Harden your face againſt all the Temptations that would Warp you another way. Contemn the Frowns, the Favours and the Letters of Great Ones, in Compariſon of that Truſt, which Greater Ones than they, the KING and State, and yet a Greater than they, the Great GOD of Heaven and Earth hath repoſed in you. Gird your Sword upon your Thigh; and (keeping ever within the Compaſs of your Commiſſion, as the Sun in the Zodiack:) Go on as a Gyant that rejoyces to run his Race. So ſhall the Wicked fear you, the Good bleſs you, Poſterity praiſe you, your own Hearts cheer you, and the Great God above Reward you.

TO ſpeak to you once more, Sir, in your Military Capacity: (if I may Adventure ſo far upon the Sharps, to approach the Armed Champion, with nothing but this little Sling in my hand:) as the apprehenſion of your Danger, and the neceſſity of your Caſe, is my Call: So the Goodneſs of the Cauſe, with my Affiance in him whom I plead it for, is all my defence. Your Poſt, I confeſs, Sir, is Honorable, appearing in the Head of a Company, to Fight for your King and Country, Laws and Religion: And we that ſtay at home, as we ought to Aſſiſt you all that Lies in us with our Prayers; So to neglect no opportunity of expreſſing our Thankful Reſentment of the Noble Service, when you are pleas'd to engage in Hazzards and Hardſhips for us. He very ill deſerves to ſhare in any the Advantages of your worthy Enterprize, who does not Honour, and Heartily Wiſh you well; But how he ſhould truely Honour you, who is nothing concerned for that which is your greateſt Diſhonour, or in earneſt deſire your Welfare, who nener Cares, though you lye and dye in the moſt dangerous Damning Wickedneſs (as he would not let your Beaſt lye in a Ditch, if he could help it:) I do not underſtand. And for my part, Sir, I cannot but take this Plain-dealing with you for the beſt expreſſion of my real inclination to ſerve, and do you all the Good I am capable of. Should I be ſo unhappy, as be miſunderſtood, I muſt bear that Croſs. But now a Door is open to me, I ſhall not ſpare, (both for my own ſake, and yours alſo that take up Arms for us,) to Cry aloud of that which ſo fearfully Endangers all.

IF Souldiers and Seamen, who carry their Lives in their hands, and Border ſo much nearer than the reſt upon another World, will verifie the common obſervation made upon 'em, That Swearing, Damning, and all God-deſpiſing (ſo rife among them,) paſſes for the Faſhionable Badge of their Profeſſion, and a Characteriſtick Note to diſtinguiſh them from other men: They only tell us what Anomalous Creatures there are in Humane Nature, as well as of Bruital Kind; and that Africk is not the only Part of the World which breeds Monſters, when we can find ſo near Home ſuch Profligate Offenders, as give too manifeſt Specimens, what a Mighty Empire has the Devil, to Sweep down even Stars with his Tayl: To Metamorphoſe Men, and make them like himſelf Rage the more, Becauſe they have but a ſhort time; yea, and be then worſt, when they have all the reaſon in the world to be Beſt of all; when they are going into the Field, or upon the Waters, to fly out upon their Judge Eternal, at whoſe Bar they are ready to hold up their Hands, and miſtake the beſt of Friends for their chiefeſt Foe; like a ſort of Frantick Theomachi, that had no deſign upon Small or Great, but only that King of Iſrael who is the Lord of Hoſts, to ſend up Volleys againſt Heaven, and dare the Divine Vengeance. Of whom we are Tempted to ſay, quite contrary to what the men of Lyſtra did of Paul and Barnabas, The Devils are come up to us in the likeneſs of Men, when, with with this Helliſh Oratory, they ſhew themſelves ſo Learned, in the Depths of Satan, and diſcharge ſuch Eruptions, as if they carryed an Aetna or worſe Fire within. Gent. Call. we need not be at the pains to draw their Picture, who Limn themſelves in ſuch hideous Blaſphemies, as ſpeak their Parentage too plain, and point out who is their Father, that Teaches them no better.

To whom agrees Sir Edwin Sandy's Obſervation of ſome, that think it a Glorious Grace to Adore the King of a Country; but to Name or think Reverently of the Creator of the World, to proceed from a Timerous very Baſe-mindedneſs and Abjectneſs. The Souldiers Profeſſion and Exerciſe (ſaies that Worthy Knight) was of Old reputed the only School of Virtue, So that the Wiſeſt Philoſopher thought the Lacedaemonians therefore more Vertuous, generally than other Nations, becauſe they followed the Wars more. At this day, 'tis a Cauſe in all Places of clean contrary Effects, and now Infam'd with all Vice and Villany. Blaſphemings have▪ ſo prevailed now in our Chriſtian Camps, that if any Refrain them, he ſhall be upbraided as no Souldier or Gallant minded Man: That the very Turks have the Chriſtians Blaſpheming of Chriſt in Execration, and will puniſh their Priſoners for it; yea, the Jews (in their Speculations of the Cauſes of the ſtrange Succeſſes of the Affairs of the World,) Aſſign the Reaſon of the Turks ſo prevailing againſt the Chriſtians to be their Blaſphemies and Blaſphemous Oaths, which Wound the Ears of the very Heavens, and Cry to the High Throne of Juſtice for ſpeedy Vengeance.

WELL may the Enemies Laugh among themſelves, to ſee ſuch goe to Fight for the Reformed Religion, who themſelves ſo hate to be Reformed; and while they carry the Bible in their Colours, nothing but bid Defiance to its Bleſſed Author with their Tongues. How low then muſt be our hopes of a Bleſſing upon the Service of ſuch Miſcreants? Or though the Almighty (who, it's true can make the Worſt Inſtruments ſerve the Beſt Purpoſes, (as Judas himſelf, who meant nothing leſs, was made ſubſervient to the Worlds Redemption: Though he) ſhould give Proſperity to the Arms of ill Men, for the ſake of a Good Cauſe; (as ſometimes he Fluſhes the Eſpouſers of a Bad, to Fat them up for Slaughter:) Though he throw the Bryars in the Gap, to ſtop the Enemies Incurſions; yet, after that ſervice, what are thoſe Bryars good for but the Fire?

But how much, Sir, might ſuch as you do to ſtop the ſpreading Contagion of this Epidemick Plague ſo hot in our Armies, would you but (Phineas-like) ſtand up and Execute Judgment, and imploy the Influence you have upon thoſe under you, to make them feel the ſmart of it on their Backs or in their Purſes, if not in the very Part Offending: (For I need not acquaint you, Sir, what are the Rules and Articles of War; you know this is one, That if any Officer or Souldier ſhall preſume to Blaſpheme God, he ſhall have his Tongue Bored through with a Red hot Iron.) At leaſt leave your Souldiers no Cover to ſhelter under their Commanders Example or Authority. The Goſpel tells you of a Man in Authority that had Souldiers under him, who did not think himſelf worthy the Lord Jeſus ſhould come under his Roof; and can you ever act, as if you thought the ſame Lord unworthy to come into your Mouth, unleſs it be to Rally him with an Oath? I need not tell you, Sir, That you have no Commiſſion from the King, ſo to Fight againſt the God by whom he Reigns. And how can you really ſerve their Majeſties, if you have not a more Awful Regard of the Heavenly Majeſty? And if you do not make thoſe who are ſubject to your Diſcipline know their Commander for a better Leader, than to goe before them in ſuch Deſperate ways as Emboldens the Common Souldiers to be Common Swearers. For Great mens Vices are of a more Gyantly Frame; they Proclaim ſolemn War with Heaven, Levy Forcs and draw in multitudes of Abettors and Confederates in their Hoſtilities, and God Knows, this Ʋnevangelical kind of Violence the Kingdom of Heaven daily ſuffers. O! that the Chriſtians and Leaders of theſe unhappy Troops would at laſt think fit to ſound a Retreat; that they would in Pity, if not to themſelves, yet to their ſeduced Followers, ceaſe thus Deſperately to ruſh upon the mouth of the Canon, the Jaws of Hell. Gent. Call.

O! that you would ſet your Souldiers another ſort of Coppy, Sir, and if you Puniſh them for any Diſorders, let not that Prophaneſs eſcape unpuniſhed, which is the Grand Root of every Irregularity, and renders the Guilty ſuſpicious indeed to have little Conſcience of any thing they ſay or do. Make not your ſelf an Acceſſary, under pretence of Pity; when there is no real Kindneſs at all in the caſe, but rather cruel Enmity to your Neighbour, to your Nation, and to your Soul, to Heal with Peſtilent Caitiffs againſt God and the King. Teach their Tongues, as well as the reſt of their Bodies, to keep better Rank and File; and think it not enough to make them ſet their Feet right on the Earth as long as they ſet their Mouth againſt the Heavens: and ſo call for a Curſe on every Enterprize, where in ſuch ſorry Tools are imployed.

Sir, You know better things than to think this the way for Souldiers to Demonſtrate their Valour in Challenging the Lord of Armies, and to prove they are no Cowards, becauſe they can ſo Reſiſt and Aſſault Omnipotency it ſelf, as long as its Owner keeps ſilence and lets them alone. But they that can be ſo ſottiſh to think the Great God even altogether ſuch a one as themſelves; yea, not only their Match, but their Subject: Alas, how will this their mad Courage be cool'd, when the Holy one and Juſt, the irreſiſtible Judge of all the Earth, (from whoſe face Heaven and Earth will fly away) ſhall come to viſit and avenge, to Reprove and ſet all theſe things in Order before them? How much does it concern you to conſider this betimes, all ye that ſo Forget God, and your ſelves? Leaſt he tear you in pieces, and there be none to Deliver! When his Wrath ſhall be poured out like Fire, to divert or abide it, with all your Forces, you may as well think, with a Wisp of Straw, to withſtand a mighty ſhower of Flames rain'd down from Heaven.

NOW knowing theſe Terrors of the Lord, we perſwade men. And O! that we could find all but ſo perſwadeable, as to be willing to do the greateſt good to their own dear Souls! For how many Leviathans are there that laugh at the ſhaking of all our Spears? And only make themſelves merry at the Preachers ſober ſadneſs? How many hardned Hearts, that like Anvils, beat back every ſtroke in our Faces? Let Boanerges thunder the Denuntiations of God's Word, and even flaſh the Fire of Hell upon 'em: There are Rocks that ſtand ſturdy and unconcern'd, and let themſelves be out done by the Devils that Believe and Tremble.

To ſlight their Sins, and deride the Parſon, is their brave accompliſhment: And 'twere well, if he that ſhall Judge 'em could eſcape 'em: If their bold Drollery would ſtop, ere it grew up to Heaven, to give a dire proof, that they no more Fear God than Regard Men.

No ſuch diſparagement in the World with ſuch, as Repentance. Let them be ſick even to Death, the haughty Spirit will not ſuffer them to own any Diſeaſe. What! Such as they ſo reflect on themſelves, and oblige the Barking Priest with a Palinode? and cloſe up all the damning, with damning the Bedlam Humour it ſelf? (As the late Earl of Rocheſter, when come to himſelf, cryed out of This Language of Fiends hanging yet about him. (Bp. Burn.) They ſcorn no dirty thing more, than to loſe themſelves thus among their Champions for the Cauſe, and be Poſted up for ſilly Sneaks, and Contemptible Renegades: After all their Maſterleſs ſporting themſelves in the wide Sea of Libertiniſm, to Tack about and ſtrike Sail to dull Sobriety. No, let them alone to Immure themſelves in the undiſturbed Poſſeſſion of all their Impieties, and ſteal upon Hell it ſelf, never knowing the worſt, till it be too late for Remedy. Away with theſe Sowr Michaiahs, that Prophecy no good concerning them, but Evil. Let the Righteous Reprove them; It ſhall be at his peril. (Though a much greater and better Man call'd it, a precious Oyl that ſhould not break his Head.) They that heartily love their Sins, even above God and Heaven, are too touchy ſo to be dealt with. Who offers to make any Breach upon their Darlings, they could (but for endangering their own) even break his Neck.

Ah Lord, who ſhall convince theſe furious Drivers to ſet upon their Evil, poſting along the Wide Way, and mad at any that offers to ſtop them; till the Flying Roll of Curſes, not only come and Enter their Houſes, but, ſeize their Perſons too: And that Execration which they prided in as their Garment, derive it ſelf like Water and Oyl into their Bowels and Bones; and there ſtick to 'em, faſtned with the Final Doom, Depart ye Curſed.

'Tis worthy that Almighty Spirit who comes to Convince the World of Sin, to make them ſo ſenſible as to know their Tranſgreſſions: And prevent others for impeaching them, by bringing them to do that Office upon themſelves, and be firſt in their own Accuſation: O may the Divine Power and Mercy be Glorirified in giving Repentance to ſuch as ſo Oppoſe themſelves.

BUT ſhall I now beg of you, good Sir, for his ſake, by whoſe Name you are called, only with Patience, and ſome ſerious Thoughtfulneſs, to Weigh the Conſiderations, that I have made bold here to ſet before you. And ſhould any ſharpneſs of Expreſſion, herein poſſibly offend you; would you look upon it, only as an Overflowing of earneſt Zeal, you would not deny me your Pardon: Nor for the ſake of ought, that may not be thought ſo fitly ſaid, deny your ſelf the Benefit of all the reſt, which may be neither impertinent nor unprofitable, for you to beſtow a few of your beſt Thoughts upon.

O how happy, Sir, ſhould I count my ſelf, could I but prevail with you to renounce and abhor the thing, which I am ſure never did you any good; yea, which if you ſtick to it, will certainly do you the moſt great and irreparable Hurt. I ſpeak to one quick and ſharp to diſcern between Right and Wrong: O do not, for want of a little ſober Recollection, degrade your ſelf to a Level with the dulleſt; ſuffering all your Acuteneſs to fail you, while you adhere ſtill to a Senſeleſs Sin, that the more Reproaches your underſtanding, becauſe it has nothing but its own down-right Sinfulneſs, for a temptation. When God has given you Wiſdom, and many fair Accompliſhments, to render your Company and Converſation ſo acceptable: O why will you ſoyl and deſecrate all your Commendable Properties, with the Allowance of that filthy Habit, like a frightful Bear-Skin, to cover 'em? Away with it, Sir, I beſeech you, and fling it from you with the greateſt ſcorn and deteſtation. Let me beg of you by all that ought to be moſt dear to you, give me not the trouble of a Repulſe, where, to grant my Requeſt, you may do your ſelf ſo great a Kindneſs.

I am the more importunate, Sir, as upon your own particular Account, that I might be inſtrumental, by your leave, to do you ſome of the beſt ſervice; ſo for the ſake of the Publick too, becauſe, I moſt heartily concur with you in the Deſign, wherein you are at preſent engaged: On which our Peace and Safety, and all our happyeſt Intereſts ſo much depend: And becauſe I take the deſired Iſſue of that deſign, ſo much to depend upon our Reconciliation to the offended Majeſty of Heaven; eſpecially as to the Notorious Offences, that ſo openly affront him, and even bid Defiance to his Holy Word. However, the ſecuring of your own Soul, (which you know not how ſoon may be diſpatch'd away to its Eternal Dwellings, after ſo many whom you have ſeen cut off before you) is for certain extreamly concern'd in your cheerful Complyance with theſe my earneſt Solicitations.

IF for Conſcience it be, Sir, that you take up Arms, What is it but evident ſelf-contradiction, to ſtruggle ſtill againſt Conſcience, in harbouring ſo known a Wickedneſs? And if you enter into War, for the ſake of Peace, the Divine Promiſe, is, That when a Mans Ways pleaſe the Lord, he will make even his Enemies to be at Peace with him. This as far as infinite Wiſdom ſees fit and Good: But thus, in any Caſe, you ſhall be ſure of a far better Peace, even that of GOD: And the moſt refreſhing ſerenity and applauſe of your own Breaſt; which in vain you may expect, till this curs'd Make-Bate be turned out. And if you go into the Field ſeeking Honour; the Reformation I am ſo urgent for, will bring you in the Eſteem and Praiſe of all, whoſe Good Thoughts and Good Words are worth the having. Yea, 'twill make you Great and Conſpicuous in the ſight of Heaven it ſelf, where nothing looks big and renowned, but what is ſubſervient to the Divine Glory. Thus, you ſhall get the Nobleſt of all Victories, That over your ſelf; and over the Scoffs and Railleries of that Embittered Pack, who ſnarl moſt at the thing which pleaſes GOD beſt: (Growing to regard their Noiſe no more, than that of the Barking Animals.) And thus ſhall you Fight, not only for the Applauſe of the People, or the Favour of your Prince, or the Fulneſs of the World; but for a Crown and a Throne: And that ſuch, to which all the Crowns and Thrones on Earth are no better than the Fainteſt Shadows. For the Heavenly Glory admits of no Hyperbole; and is too bright for Mortal Eye to behold, too vaſt for Heart of Man to Conceive. How worthy then of the beſt Gentlemans Ambition? And who can ever do wiſer and nobler, than to take the Excellent Way which leads to that Bleſſed End? Even ſo to Glorifie GOD now, that GOD may Glorifie him forever.

THAT you may ride on ſo proſperouſly, Sir, till you have hewed Agag in pieces, trodden under foot this inveterate Foe, and every deadly Enemy of your Soul; and become the Favourite of God, and triumph in the Everlaſting Enjoyment of the Conquerors Joy and Glory; is the worſt, Sir, that I wiſh you, and my Hearty Prayer to GOD for you, who am, as formerly,