SHall the Lyon roar and the beasts of the Forest not tremble? Shall God Shake this and other Cities and Nations of Eu­rope all at once, and shall our obdurate hearts remain un­broken, and unshaken after all this? Doth not the late Tremendous EARTH-QUAKE in several parts of England and London (which had such influence on the English Court beyond the Seas, &c.) speak a loud unto this Nation, and these Kingdoms, and to this City? especially since it falls out in so few Weeks after that great Catastrophe in Jamaica? As on the one hand, these things tell us that God's anger is not yet turned away, and that his Arm is stretched out still, so on the other hand, this gentle warning (after many disregarded Mercies and Judgments) seems as if God was speaking to Ʋs, as of old unto Ephraim. How shall I give thee up O Ephraim? how shall I make thee as Admah and as Zeboim? &c.

The Church of the Jews sinned not against such alluring Mo­tives to Love and Obedience as we have done. It's true they sin­ned greatly in the Wilderness, and afterwards also when they were in their Promised Land, (though followed with miraculous mercies and deliverances) so long grieving his Spirit, untill God did greatly abhor his own Inheritance, and forsook Shilo (his Ark,) which he had placed among them. (Ps. 87.) And afterward gave the be­loved of his soul into the hands of her Enemies: (then when he suffered the Babylonians, (or Chaldeans) to burn Jerusalem and his Temple.) They sinned still more and more after them return [Page 2]from Captivity, and that the Temple was rebuilt, their spirits be­ing so inveterately incensed against one another, that one Church (or Temple-worship at Jerusalem) was not sufficient to preserve Union and Communion. Afterwards (in Christs time) his de­generated Church was arrived to a higher degree of sin, even under that Plenary Administration of the Covenant (or Gospel of Salvation (in the person of the blessed Massias [ Emanuel, or God-Man, made flesh and dwelling amongst them] tho attended with extraordinary Signs and Miracles. Which became the ground of that Wo denounced by our Saviour against Bethsaida, and Corazin, and drew Tears from his Eyes, and Sighs from his tender heart, when he wept over Jerusalem for their obduracy, who for his dear labour of astonishing Love (in his bloody Sweats, Sighs, Agonies, Tears, Conflicts, &c.) returned him no other recompen­ces but the hight of Contempt and Scorn, together with a most publick ignominious and cruel Death, and from whom they hid their faces, and against whom they hardened their hearts, even at the same time when he was pouring out his soul even to the death, and making his Body a Sacrifice unto his Fathers wrath, which was kindled against him for their sakes. Yet all this mon­strous ingratitude was excusable in them, comparatively to what our sins are against the Gospel-light, who had their Eyes blinded (by judicial anger of the Almighty,) their Ears stopt, their Hearts hardened; and yet St. Paul bears them witness that they had a zeal for God, though not according to knowledge: And that they ignorantly crucified the Lord of Life and Glory.

However, this impiety cost them very dear at last, for after in­finite Goodness and Patience slighted and affronted; their City and Temple were destroyed, and their whole Nation rooted out, in such wise, that they have been from that time a disregarded People, scattred throughout the whole Earth, who were once his dearly be­loved and honoured, his peculiar Treasure and Inheritance above all other Nations in the World.

What Jerusalem was of old unto Judea, and Judea unto other Nations, in like manner London is unto England, and England unto CHRISTENDOM. A City and Nation more favoured of God, (and more envied by the common Adversary) there is not to be found under the whole heavens: A City and Kingdom more honoured with the Presence of CHRIST in the Gospel, and its ordinances of worship, and the powerful operations of his Spirit in his word, (for Conviction and Conversion) is not to be found. Never such a Sunshine of the Gospel brake forth up­on any Kingdom (or at least on any City) as upon England and [Page 3] London, since the Great Reformation (begun near 200 years ago) a greater priviledge than if we had enjoyed Christs Presence in the flesh, without the quickning, illuminating, regenerating, san­ctifying, sealing testimonies of the Spirit. The first fruits whereof blessed ENGLAND brought forth unto God (even the first ripe fruits of the Gospel, since the grand Reformation) beyond all other Nations and People in the Christian World, viz. A holy Seed-Corn sown in the precious Blood of those Martyrs in the Ma­rian Persecution, an Oblation of such sweet savour unto God, that (perhaps) for the sakes of these famous Worthies of the Church, God hath blessed our Nation with such continual encrease of the Bread of Life; and also with so many burning and shining Lights of the Gospel, and eminent Labourers in his Harvest, that our Land may properly be called a Goshen, in comparison of all other parts of the Christian World. And may not this precious Seed of the Church have been the chief reason of those many great and wonderful Mercies and Deliverances, which God hath ever since wrought out for ENGLAND, so obvious unto all other people, from Age to Age, that it seems to tell the World (in capital Letters) that we are a Nation of his peculier love and pro­tection; the Vineyard which his own right hand hath planted, and watred, and fenced, and preserved both by Night and Day, his Jedidiah, his Hopthiziba, and Beula, the Signet on his right hand, and the labour of his endearing love.

If otherwise, what means our miraculous deliverance from the Spanish Armada: The Gunpowder Plot: The Massacree and Deso­lation no doubt intended on all the Protestants of this Kingdom at the Fire of London (in 66) and how mercyfull was God to us, that the same East Wind which carried on the raging Flames, did also at the same moment keep off the French Fleet from landing upon us? and how soon was our Ci­ty Rebuilt in greater Splendor, even to the painful grief and regret of the Common Enemy? (gnashing their teeth thereat, and opening their mouths wide against heaven, in contempt of God himself.) Also our great deliverance from that (more) Hor­rid Conspiracy of theirs (in 77 and 78) to root out that which they call'd the Northern Heresie (this blessed sunshine of the Gospel in these Three Nations). And what else may we learn from the late most famous REVOLUTION (in 88)? What wonderful Wheele within the Wheele? The great Abomination of Desolation was ready to be perpetrated in these Kingdoms and in this City, to lay the Church of Christ and his Sanctuary in heaps, &c. and to make the same bloody destruction in these [Page 4]Lands as was made in France a year or two before; the dregs of that Cup were reserved for us: This was a deliverance (in all respects considered) more miraculous than that which God wrought out for his oppressed Church in Egypt, and at the Red-Sea; and for which astonishing goodness, all our most grateful acknowledgments of Praises, Thanksgivings, and Obedience are continually due, to God in the first place, and in the next, unto those great favorites of Heaven, (our most Illustrious KING and QUEEN) whose happy Government God Almighty long con­tinue among us, and grant that from their Reign, a new Meri­dian of encreasing Glory may be erected throughout the Earth.

Now, as our Mercies and Deliverances have been extraordina­ry great, Publick, and National, most seasonable also and obvious unto all, and astonishing to our very Adversaries themselves, as well as unto others. [Insomuch that we are all constrained to cry out with surprizing wonder — Lo! this is the finger of GOD! Behold! what salvation hath he wrought out for us, in the midst of the Earth? — Surely there is no Inchantment against Jacob, nor Divination against Israel.] So in like manner God expects from England and London a Publick or National Reformation, and no­thing less than this, will be esteemed by him a walking worthy of these great mercys in all-becoming thankfulness: Good Heze­kiah rendred praises unto God in humility and acts of new-o­bedience, yet God took it amiss from him, that he walked not s [...]table unto such a great miracle of love and mercy shewn him, in his recovery from that Sentence of Death which had passed on him: (having caused the Sun to go back 15 degrees, as an extraordi­nary token of Gods endearing affection unto him, above all o­thers). Nothing therefore less than a National Reformation will be acceptable in God's sight, after Englands wonderful mercies and deliverances; this therefore is that which we have great reason to conclude, is the thing God looks for from us at this day, and without which we have too great cause to fear that after all, his infinite goodness and patience (abused) will turn into fury against us, and that his anger for all this will not turn away from us, unless we bring forth such fruits as are meet for repen­tance; you have I known of all families of the earth, therefore will I punish you for your iniquities: [that is to say, unless you bring forth the Publick or National fruits for these National mercies I have shewn you from time to time].

But what shall we all say? who will plead for us, or mollify and bind up our wounds? What cause have we to fear least our iniqui­ty is marked out before the Lord? O how dreadful it is to relate our deplorable case? Where are the Mourners? Would to God England ( England more especially) could weep day and night, and be in bitterness of grief; and that all our eyes might send forth streams like many Rivers, and make our barren unfruitfull Earth a Bochim. We have been planted a noble Vine, a Vineyard of God's own watering, and defence from Age to Age: But how have we degenerated into the Plant of a strange Vine, even since our late miraculous EXODUS? Have we not brought forth Apples of Sodom, and sour Grapes of Gomorah? Thorns and Thistles instead of Figs? What monstrous ingratitude and forgetful­ness of all our eminent mercies? What high discontents, complaints, murmurings, seditions, blasphemies, yea, and Rebellions against the LORD himself: We are looking unto Egypt again (as it were in contempt of the most high God, (who hath wrought out our great salvation) and appointing us a King under whom to return back into greater bondage and misery than what was felt under the Iron Furnace, from whence we came forth; Plenty of heavenly Manna we have now scattered round our Tents, but do we not loath it; and are we not always filled with complaints, and sinful reflections on God himself? The History of the Jews in the Wilderness, exactly resembles us at this day. Are we not a generation of backsliders, presumptuous and self-willed people? And have we not turned the grace and love of God (who hath redeemed us out of the house of Bondage) into sinful wantonness? Are we not Jeshuron like, and do we not kick against the Lord? Do we not harden our selves against the Almighty, and set up our Thorns and Bryers, to oppose him in the footsteps of those eminent Provi­dences wherein he hath been walking in the midst of us, in an extraordinary manner and waiting on us, to compleat our deli­verance (whither we desire to be saved or no). But instead of a thorough amendment of our ways, and turning to our provoked Father, who in this gentle manner warns us out of his tender love, because he is loath to destroy us, not so much for our sakes as for his own Glory, and the honour of his great Name, least that should be profaned by the adversaries of the Gospel, (the Heathen who are called by his name, (as Amos 12.9.) yet instead of returning unto. God with our whole heart and soul, May it not be taken up for a lamentation against us, that we grow worse and worse, and have sinned as we could; and have hardened our selves yet more and more against the many judgments and mercies wherewith God hath [Page 6]been dealing with us from time to time? May it not be complai­ned of against our Christian Judah and Jerusalem, as of old the Prophet did against the Church of the Jews, under their great De­generacy, viz. That Prophaneness is gone forth through the whole Land?

Look we on Professors in general, How do the Vitals of Religion languish? What Wounds hath She received even amongst Her Friends? Universal Corruption and Degeneracy overspread the Church even in this Age, altogether as much as in Jeremiah's days. The Prophet was in a great strait what to do, and whither or no he had not best withdraw himself, and leave them, Jer. 9.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. O that my head were waters, and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night. O that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men, that I might leave my people, and go from them: for they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men. They bend their tongue like their bow, for lies; they are not valiant for the truth. Take ye heed, every one of his neighbour, and trust ye not in any brother; for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbor will walk with slanders. They will deceive every one his neighbor, and will not speak the truth, &c. Compared with Micah 7.4, 5, 6. The best of them is as a bryar; the most upright is sharper than a thorn-hedge. —Trust ye not in a friend, &c. Is not the quickning, illumina­ting, converting, sanctifying Presence of the Spirit driven away from us? How many Hundred Sermons are preached, and not one Soul turned from the power of Sin and Satan unto God, even throughout the whole Land, nay, throughout this professing City? Several indeed are thereby brought into this and the other Party or Sect, and espoused to Opinions, &c. [especially of those who were the Means of awakening their benumbed Consciences into a serious frame, taking up with their External Way or Mode of Religion, as in a most safe Sanctuary; when Strangers (perhaps) to the Founda­tion-Principles of true Godliness, and almost totally negligent of the true Power and Practice of Christianity.] Hence so many are of Paul, and of Cephas and Apollos; and hence such vain offensive wranglings (and scandalous janglings) in Matters of lesser moment; whilst Re­ligion hereby hath received almost her mortal Wound, at the Heart, (with respect to the pure and holy Principles thereof, or that practi­cal Piety wherein all true Christians are agreed) and Her languishing Vitals are in a manner giving up the Ghost. And the Spirit of God being hereby grieved, and vexed, and quenched, hath in a great mea­sure left us to our own distemper'd Minds, and a Spirit of Giddiness hath seized many Heads; and we may read ICHABOD on the Doors of almost all our Churches and Assemblies, (whether [Page 7] publick or more private) and The Glory of God is departed from us. Little is left us besides the Mantle of Elijah, and that also much rent (like the Vail of the Wounded Spouse, Cant. 5. ver. 7.) And were it not for the Common Gifts and Graces of the Spirit, the exter­nal Form of Godliness would in a great measure vanish out of our sight. And instead of the Presence of the Angel moving the Waters of the Sanctuary, hath not a great smonk filled the Temple? ( Isa. 6.4. compared with Apoc. 15.8.) And are not the Word, and Sacra­ments, ( Sabbaths and Ordinances, &c.) become to many [God for­bid it should be to All, we now speak only of the generality of De­generate Professors] the savour of Death unto Death? And are we not daily growing worse and worse? — That holy and honou­rable Communion of Saints, wherein the brightness of true Christiani­ty (in the encreasing lustre of the Gospel) was so greatly preserved amongst the Primitive Churches; and whereby so venerable an Esteem unto Piety was begat and nourished in the Heathens them­selves, (beholding the Order, Love, Peace, Ʋnion, and Communion of the Professors of Religion in those days) and that which is become one great Article of our Faith, [The Communion of Saints] how greatly is it misunderstood by the generality of (nominal) Christians? an Universal Decay of Religion amongst us hath caused so little Conscience to be made of frequenting the Publick Assemblies and Prayers of the Church? Yet suppose all this were duly and regularly performed, how little Communion hath one Christian with another, in their Bodily Presence, assembling together as if to see each others Faces, once a week or month, within the Church-walls, and keeping altogether at adistance from one another, as to Soul Converse? What strange Communion of Saints is this, when those Visits which are given tend but rather to promote greater Licentiousness, and Vanity of Mind, and Idle Talk, nay, amongst many of the Chief Professors also; or, at best, tend to no greater good, than to a How do ye? and, What News? Or, if there be an intimacy of Acquaintance, the un­profitable Discourses are interlaid with some fattening Provision for the Belly, &c. (Though Leanness is enter'd into the Soul, and Rottenness in the very Heart.) Psal. 12.1. Help, Lord, for the god­ly man ceaseth, the faithful fail from amongst the children of men: they speak vanity every one with his neighbour; with flattering lips, and with a double heart do they speak. These, and many such symptoms (like grey Hairs) are not the things chiefly intended to be mentio­ned with reference unto the National Reformation, which to recti­fie must be the immediate Work of God, and his Spirit (in its pourings out hereafter expected) but they are thus represented be­fore us, to convince how greatly our whole Head is sick, and our Heart faint. The same Complaint which Isaiah makes against [Page 8] Judah and Jerusalem, (even under that Divine Service in their Temple-Worship) and also under the Government of pious Jotham, (of whom it is said, That he prepared his ways before the Lord, and did that which was right in his sight, 2 Chron. 27.)

On the other hand, if we cast our Eye on the looser sort of Pro­fessors (or Baptized Christians) of a more publick and scandalous life, in our Nation, or within this City, what shall we say? Are not all their places full of Vomit? What Scornings and contemptible Derisi­ons against the Holy Spirit, and its Quicknings, Illuminations, Con­victions, Woundings, Conversions, Sealings, &c. do they profanely manifest? What Revilings do they cast (with all the Odium and Backbitings they are able) upon Religion it self, and every thing that looks like Sobriety and Godliness? What a Spirit of Bitterness, Gall, and Wormwood is there in them against the faint Shadows of Practical Holiness or Reformation? With what Reluctancy do they set themselves to oppose it in every part or beginning of it, If possible, to stifle the very empty Sound thereof? The Name of REFORMATION is become almost as dreadful as the sound of that Drum made of a victorious Barbarian's Skin, &c. These sort of Men had rather have the Devil and his Vicegerents (if in human shape) to Rule in the high places of the Earth, than any Potentate, that shall heartily endeavour to reclaim the Reign of Vice and Debauchery throughout their Dominions. Swearing, Cursing, Drun­kenness, Revilings, Lasciviousness, Whoredoms, Riot, Gluttony, Blasphe­mies, Gamestring, and such-like Wickednesses; are not only their daily Practice, but that for which they plead earnestly, and use all their Endeavour to corrupt the Age wherein they live, into a like of and compliance with all these Wickednesses. As if God had deliver'd these Three Kingdoms from the desolating Judgments that hanged over our Heads, on purpose that they might commit all these Abominations, and proceed from Evil to Evil, growing worse and worse, and corrupting themselves more and more. As if God had given Them over to a Reprobate Mind (with those Ʋnthankful Romans) for their monstrous Ingratitude unto GOD, (to say no­thing of the Blessed Instrument of our Deliverance, &c.) that Augean Stable, from whence such a multitude of (Serpentine) Hydra's breed: Rom. 1. from ver. 21. to the end. And as this is now be­come an epidemical Disease, and a Contagion universally overspread­ing it self, so we have reason to believe, that God expects from us all a National Reformation, before his Anger be pacified towards us. Otherwise we may conclude, that Tyre and Zid [...]n, Nineveh, yea, Sodom and Gomorrah, (who never were partakers of our ex­traordinary Mercies and Deliverances, will rise up in judgment [Page 9]against this Land and City. And we shall certainly (without Re­pentance) meet with a more fiery Judgment and fearful Indignation, than what befel them, who never sinned against that Gospel Grace, Light, and Love, nor yet against the many Warnings and Threat­nings, which we have done. God hath once more (of late) spo­ken aloud to all sorts amongst us (from the highest to the lowest throughout this Land, and in a special manner to this City) by sha­king the Earth and the Sea; but are we made broken and contrite in spirit thereby? Have we not rather hardned our selves more and more since that Angry voice? Hath that dreadful EARTHQUAKE in Jamaica (a few months ago) which swallowed up so many hundreds alive, &c. unsetled us, and shook us off from our Lees? Or hath that Tremendous Desolation rather perswaded us, that We are not so great Sinners as They were, foolishly concluding, That they on whom the Tower of Shilo fell, had sinned to a higher degree than others? Our Saviour tells us, Nay, but except we repent, we shall all in like manner perish. Which God Almighty of his great Goodness prevent, and give us all true Repentance, lest a seven times worse Calamity befall our Land.

No Reflections are hereby intended to be made against any Person or Persons, who Rule in the Civil or Ecclesiastical Orbs of Government. As on the one hand we have great reason to bless God, that in this day there are several who do Worthily in our Ephrata, and deserve Double Honour; [particularly His GRACE the Most Reverend ARCHBISHOP of Canterbury, and several of the Right Reverend BISHOPS, together with other Persons of Quality, acting in any other publick Sphere; ALL whose re [...]oy­cing, we doubt not but it would be more and more to see Piety flourish; and Vice, Debauchery, and Prophaneness decay and wither throughout this City, and these Kingdoms. So likewise on the other hand, we have great ground for much Grief and Lamenta­tion, to consider how little Their Personol and Relative Goodness and Vertues are of Influence, so as thereby to effect an Ʋniversal or National Reformation, without some other measures to put a stop unto that wide Floodgate of Atheistical Vice and Prophaneness, which (like the Poet's Dust from Pandora's Box) hath so overspread all Places and Persons (for the generality thereof) as with an Epide­mical Contagion infecting the whole Land.

Wherefore from the afflicting sence of these things, as likewise from the Apprehensions of that Great Duty lying on us, to detect Vice, and promote a Reformation of Manners, according to our seve­ral Opportunities and Capacities; we can do no less than apply our [Page 10]selves to these our Magistrates and Clergy; and we do it in most humble manner, and with what setiousness and importunity we are able, entreating, — That as they All have a due regard unto the Name and Glory of GOD, the Good of his Church, the Sasety and Honour of the KING and QUEEN, and the Establishment of their Excellent Government, the Peace, Happiness, and Prospe­rity of these three Kingdoms, and particularly of this great, populous and flourishing City: And likewise, as ever they regard the con­scientious discharge of that weighty and incumbent Duty, lying on them in their publick Places of eminent Trust: — On the account of all these most weighty and serious Considerations, we most hum­bly and earnestly beseech and entreat, That THEY would forthwith more and more improve their utmost Interest and Endeavour to promote a National Reformation, without which it is greatly fea­red we shall not prevail with God for the Blessing which our Na­tion hath been strugling and wrestling for, in the midst of those affrightful Prospects which we have yet before us. This Publick Reformation is the great thing (or seems to be) which God at this time is earnestly expecting from us, and without which who dare presume to conclude, that He will yet deliver us? and that his Hand will not still continue to be stretched out against us? and that Tremendous Desolation will not yet overtake us, like a Whirl­wind from the Almighty? ( Nah. 1.2, 3, 4, 5, 6.)

We are not so vainly conceited of our selves, as to take upon us to dictate or prescribe the several Paths, Steps, and Measures, &c. wherein a National Reformation (of Manners) ought to be effected, leaving this unto the Wisdom of our Superiours to determine and manage as they think best: But we do only, in all becoming Humility, propose these following Considerations, all or most of them being of great importance in the Apprehensions of se­veral of the most Pious and Reverend Divines, both of the Church of England and of the Dissenting Brethren, (with other persons also of eminency for Religion, &c.) who, after a mature deliberation, have concluded, That the Considerations following are almost of in­dispensible Necessity unto the Essential Constitutive of a National Reformation, unless we resolve to content our selves with the Name or Shadow thereof.

WHEREAS His Majesty, in his Letter to the Bishops, hath declared his most earnest desire of a General Reformation of the Lives and Manners of all his Subjects: And the Queen's Majesty in her Letter to the Justices of the Peace, of the County of Middlesex at their Sessions at Hicks's-Hall, hath Charged and Required Them to use the most effectual Methods for putting the Laws in Execution against all manner of Profaneness and Wickedness: Whereas also, both Their Majesties have lately Issued out Their Proclamation a­gainst Vitious, Debauched and Profane Persons; wherein they declare the deep Sense of the Goodness and Mercy of Almighty God (by whom Kings Reign) in giving so happy Successes to their Endeavours for the Rescuing of these Kingdoms from Po­pish Tyranny and Superstition, &c. So also they are not less touched with a Resentment, that notwithstanding these great. De­liverances, Impiety and Vice still abounds in this Kingdom: And that the Execution ofmanygood Laws that have been made for the Suppressing and Punishing thereof, hath been grosly neg­lected, to the great Dishonour of God and Religion. Where­fore they further declare their Princely Resolution to discoun­tenance all manner of Vice; and for that purpose they straitly Charge, Require and Command all Judges, Mayors, Sheriffs, [Page 23]Justices of the Peace, and all other Officers Ecclesiastical and Civil, in their respective Stations, to Execute the Laws against Blasphemy, profane Swearing and Cursing, Drunkenness, Lewd­ness, Profanation of the Lord's Day, or any other dissolute, immoral or disorderly Practice, as they will answer it to Al­mighty God, and upon pain of their Majesties highest Displeasure. And for the more effectual Proceedings herein. They direct and command Judges and Justices of the Peace, to give strict Charges at the respective Assizes and Sessions, for the due Prosecution and Punishment of all Persons that shall presume to offend in any the Kinds aforesaid; and also of all Persons that, contrary to their Duty, shall be remiss or negligent in putting the said Laws in Exe­cution; as may be seen more at large in the said Royal Proclama­tion, given at their Majesties Court at White-Hall, Jan. 21. 1691/2, in the third Year of their Reign.—In pursuance hereof, ma­ny excellent Orders have been given out, particularly by the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of the City of London: The Bench of Justices at their General Quarter-Sessions held forthe County of Middlesex, and also by the Justices at their General Quarter-Sessions held for the County of Surry. Wherein they Charge and Command all Counstables, Headboroughs, Church­wardens, &c. to use their utmost Endeavours to bring all Offen­ders against the Laws aforesaid to condign Punishment, severe­ly meancing their Negligence, but promising to their Dili­gence herein all Encouragement. Yet notwithstanding all this, Vice and Wickedness abound in every place, Lord's Days are still profaned; Drunkenness and Lewdness escape unpunished; our Ears in most Companies are filled with Imprecasions of Dam­nation, the Corners of our Streets every where echo the hor­rible Sounds of Oaths, Curses, and blasphemous Execrations. The blame of all this lies undoubtedly (for the most part) at the doors of Inferiour Officers; Authority (both Supream and Subordinate) having sufficiently acquitted it self, and worthily acted its part, in giving forth strict Commands as aforesaid: But these (though they are intrusted to be the only immediate Executors of the Laws) have neglected to put them in Executi­on. Now as Execution is the life of Laws; so their Non-execution (being equivalent to an actual Repeal) renders them useless, or as if they never had a Being: Hence it is that Wickedness grows rampant, and Profaneness rides triumphant, trampling upon all the Zeal and Piety of Virtuous Governours and Legislators, making all their Religious Intentions and Resolutions void and of none effect. How much the said Officers are concerned in [Page 24]this Guilt, and which of them are most faulty, we may easily see, if we divide them into two Ranks, and take a view, first, of those that will not do their Duties; being conscious of their own wicked Inclinations and Actions, they will not punish that Impiety in others, which they allow of in themselves. There are other Officers that are more conscientious: Of these, some are Tradesmen, which willingly would, but cannot spare time to give that Attendance that is requisite for the full discharge of their Offices, without a manifest neglect of their Shops, Trades and other Business. And thus the best Laws for punishing and suppressing of Vice and Wickedness, that are already, or for the future can be made and enforced, though by a thousand Pro­clamations and subordinate Orders, will all prove ineffectual, unless put in Execution by Under-Officers: Of these (as afore-mentioned) some are profane, and will not; others would, (and something they do towards it) but have not time to do to the full of what is required of them. To remedy these great Inconveniencies, and to answer the Great and Noble Ends of our Governours, in making good Laws, and pressing their Executi­on, the Expedient, (as drawn up in the following Form,) is most humbly proposed.