NUMBERS
XXV
.
11.
Phinehas
the
Son
of
Eleazer
,
the
Son
of
Aaron
the
Priest
,
hath
turned
my
Wrath
away
from
the
Children
of
Israel
(
while
he
was
Zealous
for
my
sake
among
them
)
that
I
Consumed
not
the
Children
of
Israel
in
my
Jealousie
.
WHen
the
Israelites
came
to
their
last
Station
in
order
to
pass
over
Jordan
,
the
Neighbouring
Countries
were
terrified
with
their
Numbers
;
and
therefore
the
King
of
Moab
combin'd
with
the
Midianites
against
them
.
And
,
as
was
very
usual
with
most
Heathen
Princes
upon
the
like
Occasions
he
sends
for
Balaam
a
Man
famous
for
Divinations
,
to
consult
about
the
Event
,
and
Encourage
his
People
with
a
Promise
and
Assurance
of
Success
.
But
by
the
Order
and
Inspiration
of
GOD
,
he
prophesies
quite
the
contrary
,
and
fore-tells
the
Destruction
of
Moab
,
and
the
Neighbouring
Countries
by
the
Israelites
;
for
which
he
was
sent
home
with
Disgrace
.
But
thô
he
could
not
speak
any
thing
to
the
King
but
what
GOD
had
put
in
his
Mouth
,
yet
his
Affection
for
the
Midianites
(
who
were
probably
his
Country-men
,
because
we
read
he
return'd
home
,
and
afterwards
was
Kill'd
among
them
)
made
him
give
their
Enemies
the
only
Advice
which
cou'd
possibly
injure
the
Children
of
Israel
;
and
that
was
,
To
send
many
of
their
Women
into
the
Camp
,
which
by
their
Beauty
and
Allurements
might
entice
the
Israelites
first
to
Unlawful
Marriages
and
Whoredom
,
and
then
to
prophane
the
Name
and
Worship
of
GOD
by
their
Idolatry
.
And
accordingly
the
Wile
took
,
and
as
we
read
in
the
first
Verse
of
this
Chapter
,
The
Men
began
to
commit
Whoredom
with
the
Daughters
of
Moab
.
Upon
this
,
GOD
sent
a
Plague
among
them
;
and
Moses
by
his
Command
,
gave
positive
Orders
throughout
the
Camp
to
all
the
Governours
and
Leaders
,
that
they
shou'd
put
to
death
all
those
who
were
guilty
of
these
Crimes
.
But
as
appears
from
the
manner
of
the
Relation
,
the
Number
and
Quality
of
those
who
fell
in
League
with
the
Heathen
Women
was
so
great
,
that
Execution
was
delay'd
;
so
that
they
out-brav'd
the
Laws
,
and
struck
a
Terror
into
all
those
who
were
well
affected
,
and
had
refrain'd
from
those
lewd
Practices
.
Insomuch
that
Zimri
,
a
Person
of
Quality
among
them
,
in
open
Contempt
of
the
Laws
and
Magistrates
,
brought
a
Midianitish
Woman
along
with
him
in
the
sight
of
all
the
Congregation
.
Phinehas
seeing
this
,
follows
them
into
the
Tent
,
and
kills
them
both
in
the
very
Act
of
Fornication
:
Then
the
Plague
was
stay'd
,
and
this
Action
of
Phinehas
said
to
be
the
Cause
of
it
,
For
Phinehas
the
Son
&c.
Being
at
this
Time
to
discourse
concerning
those
Persons
,
who
have
bravely
set
themselves
to
give
Vice
and
Immoralities
an
open
profess'd
Opposition
in
this
City
,
and
to
stem
that
current
of
Wickedness
which
threatned
to
over-whelm
us
;
I
have
made
choice
of
these
words
,
that
I
might
propose
to
you
this
Excellent
Pattern
of
Zeal
;
that
you
might
see
how
this
was
commendable
in
him
,
and
how
far
it
is
imitable
by
you
.
And
that
I
might
lay
before
you
those
several
things
which
in
this
Text
are
suggested
,
as
well
for
your
Direction
and
more
Prudent
Management
,
as
for
your
Encouragement
in
that
Worthy
Design
of
yours
;
which
if
rightly
manag'd
,
must
be
very
pleasing
and
acceptable
to
GOD
and
all
good
Christians
.
And
therefore
,
I.
The
first
thing
observable
from
these
words
is
,
That
Persons
even
in
a
Private
Capacity
,
may
and
ought
to
shew
their
Zeal
for
GOD
against
open
and
bare-fac'd
Impiety
.
For
tho'
Phinehas
was
the
High-Priests
Son
,
yet
we
read
of
no
Place
nor
Power
that
he
had
,
till
he
was
afterwards
employ'd
as
Commander
against
the
Midianites
.
So
that
this
Action
was
not
proper
either
to
his
Place
or
Quality
,
but
as
he
was
an
Israelite
;
and
he
had
the
Execution
of
the
Laws
in
his
Power
no
otherwise
,
than
by
vertue
of
that
General
Command
at
the
5th
Verse
,
which
was
common
to
others
as
well
as
him
.
And
accordingly
thô
Moses
mention
only
Phinehas
,
as
being
the
first
that
led
the
way
;
and
Zimri
as
being
a
Person
of
the
greatest
Quality
of
those
that
were
slain
:
yet
Josephus
relating
this
Passage
says
,
That
a
great
number
of
other
young
Men
being
Animated
by
this
couragious
Action
,
took
heart
,
and
rose
up
in
open
Opposition
to
the
Transgressors
,
and
Executed
the
Sentence
of
Moses
upon
them
all
.
But
tho'
this
Command
was
General
,
yet
there
was
this
Peculiar
in
that
Action
of
Phinehas
,
that
the
Command
being
directed
to
the
Judges
and
Leaders
to
destroy
every
one
their
Men
(
i.
e.
)
to
punish
those
under
their
Jurisdiction
Zimri
being
Head
of
a
chief
House
among
them
,
and
therefore
not
so
immediately
under
the
Power
of
others
,
thought
to
carry
it
with
a
high
Hand
;
to
practice
his
Wickedness
openly
himself
,
and
by
that
means
to
encourage
it
in
others
.
But
Phineas
being
acted
with
a
Zeal
for
GOD
and
the
Command
of
Moses
,
undertook
the
Exploit
,
and
Executed
that
Sentence
upon
him
,
which
he
neglected
to
Execute
upon
others
.
Now
this
gave
occasion
to
the
Sect
of
the
Zealots
among
the
Jews
,
whose
Power
was
for
a
long
time
very
sacred
among
them
;
and
they
had
a
right
to
execute
the
Sentence
of
the
Law
upon
any
Person
they
apprehended
in
the
very
act
of
Blaspheming
,
or
Prophaning
the
Temple
&c.
which
was
all
built
upon
a
tradition
they
held
from
Moses
grounded
as
they
conjectur'd
,
upon
this
action
of
Phineas
.
And
we
have
some
instances
in
Scripture
of
particular
persons
,
who
upon
extraordinary
occasions
have
by
a
Zeal
inflam'd
and
a
mighty
Impuls
upon
their
Spirits
,
become
the
Executioners
of
God's
immediate
Vengeance
upon
Bold
and
Scandalous
Sinners
.
As
particularly
that
of
Elias
destroying
all
the
Prophets
of
Baal
;
and
Matathias
slaying
the
Jew
that
offered
Incense
upon
a
Heathen
Altar
.
And
that
action
of
our
Saviours
twice
repeated
,
of
driving
the
Buyers
and
Sellers
out
of
the
Temple
,
thô
he
did
it
by
the
priviledge
of
his
Kingly
Power
;
yet
he
was
suppos'd
by
the
Jews
to
do
it
upon
this
principle
of
Zealotism
:
For
otherwise
they
had
a
fair
Accusation
against
him
for
a
Riotous
and
Illegal
Assault
;
and
being
but
a
private
Person
taking
upon
him
the
Office
of
a
Magistrate
.
Now
this
fiery
temper
of
the
〈◊〉
lots
was
very
commendable
,
and
sometimes
necessary
under
the
Law
;
yet
it
is
not
practicable
in
that
degree
under
the
tender
and
merciful
Spirit
of
the
Gospel
.
For
then
their
Obedience
was
external
,
and
therefore
required
sutable
Punishments
in
this
life
;
But
now
the
inward
purity
of
our
Souls
is
requir'd
,
and
nothing
can
make
Men
afraid
of
sinning
in
their
Minds
but
a
clear
revelation
of
Hell
,
and
a
full
prospect
of
eternal
damnation
;
and
therefore
these
are
the
only
tertors
of
the
Lord
now
.
In
the
first
times
of
the
Gospel
indeed
,
death
was
inflicted
upon
malicious
obstinate
Offenders
by
a
supernatural
power
;
but
this
,
with
all
the
other
acts
of
God's
extraordinary
dispensations
have
ceased
,
so
that
all
such
mighty
impulses
pretended
now
adays
are
only
from
the
Devil
.
The
Gospel
proposes
no
temporal
Punishments
for
the
sins
of
Men
,
but
such
as
follow
the
nature
of
the
Sins
themselves
;
And
therefore
the
severest
Ecclesiastical
Censures
are
the
Exposing
Men
to
shame
,
and
Cutting
them
off
from
the
Body
of
the
Church
,
and
so
consigning
them
over
unto
the
judgment
of
the
Great
Day
.
But
thô
it
be
now
utterly
unlawful
in
us
to
punish
Vice
in
others
,
unless
where
we
have
Authority
our selves
,
or
derive
it
from
the
Laws
of
the
Land
:
Yet
thus
much
is
very
evident
from
this
action
of
Phineas
,
and
those
other
instances
of
Zeal
consequent
to
it
;
that
all
Men
may
,
and
ought
to
shew
their
Zeal
for
the
glory
of
God
,
and
discouragment
of
Vice
,
by
all
those
means
which
are
permitted
by
the
Gospel
.
And
there
are
several
ways
of
doing
this
,
As
by
shewing
our
dislike
to
it
at
all
times
,
and
in
all
persons
;
by
reproving
the
sins
of
others
whenever
it
is
proper
and
seasonable
,
and
that
we
have
any
hopes
our
Reproofs
will
do
good
;
and
lastly
by
doing
all
that
in
us
lies
,
to
promote
the
Execution
of
those
good
and
wholsom
Laws
which
are
Enacted
against
impudent
Profaness
and
Impiety
.
And
that
which
makes
this
last
way
of
shewing
our
Zeal
so
necessary
now
,
is
because
multitudes
who
go
by
the
name
of
Christians
,
have
cast
off
all
fear
of
any
thing
else
but
Temporal
Laws
;
all
the
Methods
of
the
Church
against
such
Scandalous
Offenders
have
quite
lost
their
force
.
There
was
a
time
,
and
O!
that
we
might
see
it
in
our
days
,
when
Men
knew
the
strength
of
Ecclesiastical
Censures
;
when
they
were
sensible
that
God
was
with
his
Church
in
all
its
Judiciary
Proceedings
,
ratifying
all
its
just
Sentences
,
binding
of
them
in
Heaven
,
and
recording
of
them
there
to
be
produc'd
at
the
great
Day
of
Accounts
.
But
now
they
regard
nothing
but
what
they
feel
,
so
that
there
is
no
way
left
of
dealing
with
them
,
but
by
those
Human
Laws
which
they
dread
more
than
Damnation
;
and
the
Power
of
the
Civil
Magistrate
,
which
they
fear
more
then
that
God
who
is
a
Consuming
Fire
.
II.
The
second
thing
I
shall
observe
from
these
words
is
,
That
the
nature
of
a
true
Zeal
consists
in
our
Indignation
at
what
is
plainly
against
the
Laws
of
God
,
and
evidently
sinful
.
That
instance
we
have
of
a
true
Zeal
here
was
against
Adultery
,
Fornication
,
and
the
Idolatrous
worship
of
Baal
Pehor
;
which
as
one
observes
from
the
signification
of
the
name
,
was
an
Idol
purposely
contrived
to
excite
People
to
Lewdness
and
Impurity
by
the
sight
of
it
:
and
therefore
his
Zeal
was
approved
by
God
in
these
words
,
while
he
was
zealous
for
my
sake
among
them
.
This
of
being
incens'd
at
the
known
and
uncontested
sins
of
Men
is
the
being
truly
zealous
for
the
sake
of
God
;
and
not
when
People
are
transported
against
things
dubious
,
and
of
no
great
moment
;
when
they
lay
out
all
their
Zeal
against
Circumstances
,
and
things
in
their
own
nature
lawful
or
indifferent
.
There
is
more
requir'd
in
order
to
a
true
Zeal
than
meer
heat
of
our
Blood
,
and
a
great
indignation
of
mind
:
People
may
be
thus
far
zealous
in
a
bad
,
as
well
as
a
good
Cause
;
For
the
Midianites
were
no
doubt
very
zealous
against
the
Israelites
,
when
they
prostituted
their
Women
of
greatest
Quality
to
destroy
them
.
So
that
being
levell'd
at
things
which
are
plainly
against
the
Laws
of
God
,
is
the
only
distinguishing
mark
of
a
true
Zeal
.
And
it
is
more
or
less
true
according
to
the
evidence
and
plainess
of
those
Precepts
of
God
against
which
the
sins
are
committed
.
When
the
things
against
which
we
are
zealous
are
dubious
,
our
Zeal
if
violent
is
blamable
;
if
the
things
are
of
no
great
moment
or
indifferent
,
then
our
Zeal
is
trifling
and
frivolous
;
if
the
things
are
in
their
own
nature
lawful
,
then
our
Zeal
is
downright
sinful
.
Now
Fornication
and
Adultery
,
Cursing
and
Swearing
,
Blasphemy
and
Profaness
,
Drunkenness
and
Gluttony
,
Unjust
Gain
and
Oppression
,
Rebellion
and
Disobedience
to
Laws
and
Government
,
Breaking
of
Amity
among
Christians
,
and
Dissolving
of
Unity
in
the
Worship
of
GOD
;
These
and
such-like
are
openly
and
palpably
against
the
express
Commands
of
GOD
:
and
therefore
these
are
the
things
against
which
our
Zeal
shou'd
be
levell'd
.
For
otherwise
we
have
just
cause
to
suspect
that
it
proceeds
from
Natural
Temper
,
or
Humor
,
or
Interest
,
or
Ignorance
and
Mistake
,
or
from
the
Delusions
of
the
Devil
,
and
our
own
Imaginations
:
But
in
things
of
that
gross
â–ª
nature
,
our
Zeal
is
always
Safe
and
Commendable
.
And
therefore
here
,
by
the
way
,
I
ought
not
to
omit
the
Just
Commendation
of
the
late
Zeal
of
our
Dissenting
Brethren
,
in
their
hearty
Endeavours
,
and
liberal
Contributions
for
carrying
on
this
Design
of
putting
the
Laws
in
Execution
against
such
of
those
Vices
as
are
made
liable
to
Temporal
Punishments
.
Had
they
begun
this
Work
,
no
one
could
have
said
,
That
it
was
the
Factious
Design
of
a
Party
,
but
a
True
and
Regular
Zeal
;
because
the
Instances
are
such
as
are
plainly
and
directly
against
the
Laws
of
GOD
,
as
well
as
those
of
the
Land
;
and
not
such
as
are
Dubious
and
Indifferent
in
their
own
nature
:
No
,
we
commend
them
for
their
hearty
Concurrence
with
us
,
and
we
hope
not
to
be
out-done
by
them
in
this
good
Work
.
But
since
all
this
visible
Piety
,
and
Zeal
against
Irreligion
and
Profaness
,
hath
first
appear'd
among
the
Members
of
the
Establish'd
Church
,
it
must
be
Acknowledged
that
our
Constitution
and
Principles
are
better
Calculated
for
the
Encouragement
of
all
Vertue
and
Goodness
,
and
the
Suppression
of
Vice
among
them
;
and
nothing
can
possibly
be
a
greater
Inducement
to
all
well-disposed
People
to
joyn
in
its
Communion
,
than
to
see
what
a
Natural
Tendency
it
hath
to
make
People
truly
Good
and
Vertuous
.
We
must
both
of
us
with
Sorrow
of
Heart
confess
,
That
our
Separate
Communions
have
been
the
immediate
Natural
Cause
of
all
that
Torrent
of
Profaness
and
Irreligion
,
Immorality
and
Lewdness
,
which
during
the
two
late
Reigns
came
in
upon
these
Lands
with
an
Irresistable
violence
;
which
hath
so
broke
the
Sinews
of
all
Ecclesiastical
Discipline
,
and
depriv'd
the
Church
of
that
Power
Originally
inherent
in
it
by
a
Divine
Right
deriv'd
from
Christ
himself
;
that
we
are
both
of
us
now
forc'd
to
fly
to
Temporal
Laws
for
the
Suppression
of
such
Sinners
,
who
having
no
fear
of
GOD
before
their
Eyes
,
must
necessarily
despise
the
Church
.
And
't
is
a
Melancholly
Consideration
,
that
the
Incorporation
of
the
Church
into
the
Civil
State
,
by
a
Constitution
of
Government
in
it self
so
Excellently
Contriv'd
,
as
to
reserve
to
the
Apostles
Successors
,
all
their
Divine
Right
and
Primitive
Authority
in
Matters
purely
Ecclesiastical
;
and
yet
in
a
due
Subordination
to
the
Civil
Magistrate
;
shou'd
,
by
our
Divisions
,
be
brought
to
this
,
that
they
shall
now
act
rather
as
Members
of
the
State
,
than
as
Governours
of
the
Church
.
And
that
the
Addition
of
Temporal
Laws
in
a
Kingdom
of
Christians
,
which
were
design'd
to
give
strength
to
her
Censures
,
shou'd
by
this
means
come
to
have
a
quite
contrary
Effect
,
to
swallow
them
all
up
,
and
Resolve
them
almost
wholly
into
Civil
Power
:
Insomuch
that
she
hath
only
her
Doctrine
left
for
Ornament
,
but
little
of
that
Original
Power
of
Defending
her self
,
and
Excluding
all
Impudent
Impiety
,
Profaness
,
and
Irreligion
out
of
the
Fold
of
Christ
.
So
that
there
were
generally
better
Christians
in
the
Church
,
when
it
was
among
Infidels
,
than
now
that
there
are
so
many
Infidels
suffer'd
to
be
profest
and
actual
Members
of
the
Church
.
We
must
both
I
say
acknowledge
that
these
open
and
scandalous
Sins
of
profest
Christians
,
are
the
dismal
Consequences
of
our
Divisions
;
and
therefore
that
there
is
a
heavy
and
unsupportable
Load
of
Guilt
,
where-ever
the
just
and
true
Cause
of
them
lies
:
And
that
it
will
lie
either
on
their
side
or
ours
,
is
so
plain
a
Truth
that
we
can
neither
of
us
avoid
it
.
I
am
not
now
going
to
dispute
where
,
But
it
follows
from
hence
,
that
it
is
matter
of
infinite
Concern
to
each
of
us
to
be
very
well
Assur'd
,
that
it
doth
not
lie
at
our
Door
.
There
is
not
any
thing
in
the
world
that
we
ought
to
be
better
resolv'd
in
;
For
if
there
be
not
such
a
manifest
violation
of
the
known
positive
Laws
of
GOD
requir'd
amongst
us
,
that
they
cannot
communicate
with
us
,
without
plainly
transgressing
of
them
;
then
all
their
Zeal
for
Purer
Worship
will
never
be
accounted
a
Zeal
for
the
sake
of
GOD.
And
if
the
Constitution
of
our
Church
doth
oblige
them
to
the
committal
of
one
Sin
contrary
to
the
known
positive
Laws
of
God
,
and
the
Interest
of
Practical
Holiness
,
then
we
must
take
all
that
load
of
Guilt
upon
our selves
.
Sure
I
am
on
which
side
soever
the
Cause
lies
,
that
our
Uniting
in
the
Worship
of
God
,
and
Celebration
of
the
Sacraments
,
wou'd
be
the
most
effectual
means
of
Suppressing
all
this
insolent
and
hardened
Impiety
;
and
nothing
else
can
do
it
intirely
and
lastingly
.
And
since
we
are
all
United
In
the
main
Interest
of
Practical
Holiness
,
what
then
remains
toward
the
perfecting
our
Concord
,
but
that
in
all
these
things
which
do
not
relate
to
Practical
Holiness
,
we
in
all
Humility
submit
to
the
Wisdom
of
our
Superiors
?
Who
as
is
confessed
require
us
to
be
guilty
of
nothing
which
is
contrary
to
it
.
And
therefore
I
hope
all
People
are
now
convinced
that
they
may
joyn
with
us
without
committing
a
Sin
:
And
if
so
,
this
Inference
is
very
plain
,
That
it
is
a
Sin
not
to
joyn
with
us
.
And
since
we
are
so
happily
agreed
in
all
those
things
that
are
great
and
valuable
,
why
should
we
break
Communion
for
those
that
are
not
so
?
O!
that
GOD
would
put
it
into
the
Hearts
of
our
Dissenting
Brethren
,
to
weigh
these
heavy
Consequences
in
the
Ballance
,
against
those
few
small
Differences
in
Opinion
or
Practice
for
which
we
yet
differ
,
that
what
remains
might
no
way
obstruct
our
Joynt
Communion
,
and
hinder
us
any
longer
from
going
into
the
House
of
GOD
as
Friends
together
.
This
wou'd
strike
an
Awe
upon
bold
and
hardened
Sinners
;
and
then
wou'd
the
Reformation
of
these
Scandalous
Vices
we
now
set
our selves
against
begin
where
our
Corruption
did
before
:
And
thus
by
becoming
an
United
,
we
shou'd
become
a
Flourishing
and
Happy
People
.
GOD
grant
that
our
United
Endeavours
for
the
Prosecution
of
Vice
and
Wickedness
,
may
be
a
happy
Means
of
Uniting
us
,
not
only
in
our
Affections
to
one
another
,
but
in
the
Publick
Worship
of
GOD
,
and
Celebration
of
his
Sacraments
;
which
is
the
Necessary
Condition
of
that
Unity
which
alone
will
render
us
one
Church
and
People
in
the
sight
of
GOD.
III.
The
Third
thing
observable
from
this
Passage
is
,
That
our
Zeal
for
the
cause
of
God
in
all
instances
whatsoever
,
should
contain
it self
within
those
bounds
prescrib'd
by
himself
.
As
it
must
be
against
things
plainly
contrary
to
the
Laws
of
God
,
so
the
manner
of
expressing
it
must
be
agreeable
to
them
too
.
Phinehas
is
not
commended
here
because
he
was
too
hasty
to
expect
a
legal
Process
,
for
the
Command
was
positive
that
they
should
not
stay
for
it
;
but
for
the
speedy
execution
of
an
express
Law
with
the
hazard
of
his
life
,
and
because
he
took
it
upon
him
when
no
one
else
dar'd
to
do
it
.
And
therefore
that
must
needs
be
a
blind
and
preposterous
Zeal
which
sets
up
for
reformation
either
of
Manners
,
or
Discipline
by
methods
unwarrantable
,
either
by
the
Laws
of
God
or
Man
.
The
Zealots
among
the
Jews
were
very
good
and
useful
in
their
first
original
,
and
therefore
in
great
veneration
while
they
kept
within
the
just
and
prescrib'd
limits
of
the
Law
:
But
afterwards
they
became
a
most
dangerous
and
pernicious
Sect
to
the
whole
polity
of
the
Jews
,
they
committed
all
manner
of
Villanies
under
pretence
of
Reformation
,
and
put
to
death
many
of
the
chief
and
worthiest
men
of
the
Nation
.
And
therefore
men
can't
be
too
cautious
in
this
point
,
for
whenever
our
Zeal
prompts
us
to
act
in
opposition
to
any
of
the
Laws
of
God
,
or
the
innocent
Laws
of
Men
,
't
is
all
madness
and
fury
.
Our
Zeal
may
carry
us
beyond
the
Commands
of
God
,
but
not
contrary
to
any
one
of
them
:
as
in
this
action
of
Phinehas
,
it
was
more
than
his
duty
to
slay
one
of
another
Tribe
,
but
it
was
however
according
to
the
express
Command
,
for
otherwise
it
had
been
an
act
of
Murder
.
Our
Zeal
in
many
instances
may
prompt
us
to
do
more
than
God
requires
of
us
,
but
never
to
do
any
thing
that
he
forbids
,
for
this
will
be
reforming
the
sins
of
Men
by
others
in
our Selves
.
Now
as
to
your
observance
of
human
Laws
in
the
management
of
your
Zeal
against
Offenders
,
I
need
say
but
little
they
are
a
Fence
to
themselves
,
and
they
regard
every
Man
hath
to
his
own
quiet
and
safety
,
will
oblige
him
in
prudence
not
to
come
under
the
lash
of
them
,
by
taking
any
course
of
Fraud
or
Violence
that
is
unwarrantable
.
But
as
to
the
Laws
of
GOD
,
the
most
effectual
way
of
keeping
within
due
Bounds
in
this
Undertaking
,
is
by
a
Preservation
of
your
Sincerity
and
Humility
.
1.
And
first
as
to
your
Sincerity
in
this
good
Work
,
you
must
take
care
that
you
are
prompted
to
it
out
of
a
true
Concern
for
the
Glory
of
GOD
,
and
Veneration
for
his
Laws
;
together
with
a
Concern
for
the
good
of
your
Country
,
a
tender
Regard
for
the
Souls
of
other
Men
,
and
the
discharging
of
a
good
Conscience
in
doing
all
that
in
you
lies
to
the
promoting
of
these
Ends.
If
these
be
the
Motives
that
spur
you
on
to
give
insolent
Profaness
and
Impiety
an
open
Opposition
,
't
is
a
glorious
Enterprize
;
and
you
may
hope
that
GOD
who
hath
begun
this
good
Work
by
you
,
will
bring
it
to
a
good
Perfection
.
This
of
a
pure
Intention
alone
can
Entitle
you
to
the
Blessing
of
GOD
both
here
and
hereafter
;
and
't
is
a
great
Pity
that
any
one
shou'd
be
the
Instrument
of
so
substantial
a
good
,
and
yet
lose
the
Reward
of
it
.
2.
And
secondly
,
As
to
your
Humility
,
this
is
to
be
secur'd
both
in
respect
of
your selves
,
and
in
your
Deportment
to
others
.
As
to
the
first
,
You
must
not
value
your selves
upon
this
,
as
being
more
holy
than
other
Men
;
for
Zeal
against
the
Sins
of
other
People
,
thô
it
be
good
and
commendable
,
yet
is
a
very
bad
Rule
of
judging
of
the
degrees
of
Piety
in
our selves
;
and
yet
of
all
Vertues
it
hath
the
directest
Tendency
to
raise
Mens
Opinions
of
their
own
Piety
,
and
puff
them
up
with
Spiritual
Pride
.
Therefore
let
the
notice
we
take
of
the
Sins
of
others
,
make
us
rather
reflect
upon
our selves
,
who
are
Sinners
as
well
as
they
,
thô
perhaps
not
in
the
same
Instances
,
or
in
the
same
degrees
.
And
the
most
effectual
way
of
preserving
an
humble
Sense
of
our
own
Religion
and
Performances
,
is
to
compare
our selves
with
the
Law
of
GOD
,
and
not
with
the
Lives
of
other
Men
;
then
we
shall
see
so
many
Defects
in
our selves
,
that
we
shall
never
be
proud
of
not
being
as
wicked
as
other
Men
are
.
As
it
respects
Others
,
you
must
shew
your
Humility
by
Obedience
and
Submission
to
the
Magistrates
in
all
your
Proceedings
;
and
by
paying
all
Deference
and
Respect
to
your
Superiors
,
notwithstanding
your
Evidence
against
them
;
by
avoiding
all
Affectation
of
Singularity
and
Moroseness
,
and
never
insulting
or
expressing
any
indecent
Passion
against
Peoples
Persons
;
for
't
is
not
them
,
but
their
Sins
you
prosecute
.
There
is
a
manner
of
accusing
People
which
thô
it
want
no
Courage
or
Resolution
,
yet
discovers
Meekness
and
Humility
;
and
then
it
becomes
the
brightest
Zeal
when
it
hath
this
Undaunted
Resolution
,
without
any
mixture
of
the
Heat
and
Fire
of
our
Temper
.
There
is
a
way
of
Prosecuting
the
Sins
of
Others
so
as
to
convince
even
themselves
that
't
is
from
no
Prejudice
to
their
Persons
,
but
a
Zeal
for
the
Glory
of
GOD
,
and
a
tender
Concern
for
the
good
of
their
Souls
:
And
therefore
whenever
this
End
can
be
effected
without
it
,
and
that
you
have
just
ground
to
think
that
their
Conversion
can
be
wrought
by
Secret
Admonition
,
you
are
not
to
expose
them
to
Publick
Disgrace
and
Punishment
.
And
you
are
to
have
such
a
tender
Regard
to
the
Reputation
of
others
,
that
you
accuse
not
any
Person
upon
groundless
Reports
,
or
meer
Suspicions
;
for
the
bringing
an
hundred
guilty
Persons
to
Punishment
,
will
not
recompence
the
Injury
done
to
one
who
is
wrongfully
accus'd
.
And
in
the
zealous
Prosecution
of
other
Peoples
Sins
,
you
must
ever
have
a
just
regard
to
the
Preservation
of
your
own
Innocence
.
Some
Sins
are
of
that
infectious
Quality
they
catch
like
the
Plague
,
and
especially
those
of
Lasciviousness
in
Youth
,
where
there
is
a
Disposition
to
be
wrought
upon
:
Can
a
Man
take
Fire
in
his
Bosom
,
and
not
be
burnt
?
says
Solomon
to
this
same
purpose
;
to
shew
us
the
nature
of
this
Temptation
is
such
,
that
there
is
no
way
of
Safety
,
but
by
cutting
off
all
Opportunities
of
it
.
So
that
to
seek
Occasions
of
sinning
your self
,
for
the
Discovery
of
other
People
,
is
not
safe
;
and
to
gain
their
Consent
to
a
Sin
by
any
means
of
Allurement
or
Circumvention
is
not
innocent
;
since
this
is
a
degree
of
Guilt
in
them
,
equal
to
Actual
Sin
.
This
will
harden
People
in
their
Vices
rather
than
work
their
Reformation
;
And
therefore
leave
all
these
Methods
to
those
Evil
Spirits
,
the
common
Enemies
of
Mankind
whose
proper
Quality
it
is
,
first
to
entice
People
into
Sin
,
and
then
upbraid
and
accuse
them
for
it
.
This
is
the
only
Objection
that
is
or
can
be
made
against
your
Endeavours
:
And
if
you
take
care
to
prevent
this
,
you
will
remove
all
suspicion
from
those
who
are
truly
zealous
against
Vice
,
and
forward
to
promote
the
Discouragement
of
it
,
by
all
fair
means
of
Prosecution
and
Discovery
.
And
let
all
this
be
done
by
you
as
true
Sons
of
the
Church
and
Members
of
its
Communion
,
and
let
no
Opinion
of
your
own
Piety
or
Devout
Performances
among
your Selves
insinuate
any
Disesteem
of
the
service
of
the
Church
,
which
is
much
more
acceptable
to
Almighty
GOD.
Therefore
be
exact
in
the
observance
of
its
Customs
and
Constitations
,
nor
endeavour
to
be
more
Holy
by
reparing
for
more
frequent
,
or
purer
Worship
to
those
Congregations
which
have
Separated
from
Us.
You
of
all
People
can't
do
this
without
being
a
contradiction
to
your selves
;
for
to
the
great
Credit
not
only
of
Christianity
but
of
the
Establish't
Church
,
you
have
made
it
appear
,
that
People
may
in
all
respects
be
as
Vertuous
and
Holy
within
the
Bosom
of
the
Church
,
as
't
is
possible
for
them
to
be
out
of
it
:
So
that
you
have
effectually
cut
off
from
your selves
all
pretence
of
Separation
for
ever
;
this
makes
it
utterly
needless
,
and
therefore
without
Excuse
.
One
thing
more
I
would
recommend
to
You
under
this
Head
,
and
that
is
,
That
in
all
your
Designs
for
the
promoting
of
Vertue
and
Holiness
,
you
never
abound
so
much
in
your
own
sense
,
as
to
decline
the
Advice
and
Concurrence
of
the
Bishop
and
your
respective
Ministers
.
If
you
have
a
true
Zeal
,
this
is
the
only
effectual
way
to
have
it
according
to
Knowledge
:
But
without
their
Guidance
and
Conduct
,
you
will
run
into
Errors
before
you
are
aware
;
and
one
Error
in
things
of
this
nature
is
pregnant
of
many
more
.
The
Zealots
among
the
Jews
by
assuming
to
themselves
what
did
not
belong
to
them
,
proceeded
at
last
to
Elect
and
Ordain
the
High-Priest
,
despising
the
Rules
of
Birth
(
says
Josepbus
)
by
which
they
were
to
Succeed
;
putting
in
Illiterate
and
Obscure
Men
,
such
as
were
prepar'd
with
Ignorance
and
Superstition
enough
to
back
their
Proceedings
;
For
having
once
broke
in
upon
the
Office
and
Priviledges
of
the
Priesthood
,
they
knew
not
where
to
stop
.
IV.
Another
thing
contain'd
in
these
words
is
,
That
the
Suppression
of
Open
Scandalous
Impiety
,
is
the
most
effectual
means
of
diverting
GOD's
Judgments
from
a
Nation
.
There
seem'd
here
to
be
a
full
purpose
of
GOD
utterly
to
consume
the
Israelites
in
his
Jealousie
;
and
while
the
Number
and
Quality
of
those
who
defil'd
themselves
with
the
Midianitish
Women
hinder'd
the
Execution
of
the
Law
,
the
Plague
took
off
Four
and
Twenty
Thousand
of
them
.
But
the
Zeal
of
this
Excellent
Person
in
putting
it
in
Execution
,
stopt
the
Plague
in
the
midst
of
its
Rage
,
and
turn'd
away
the
Wrath
of
GOD
from
the
whole
Congregation
.
Now
the
Reason
why
this
Action
was
of
so
much
Power
and
Efficacy
to
prevail
with
GOD
in
all
likelihood
was
,
Either
because
he
was
one
of
the
greatest
Quality
of
those
that
were
guilty
,
and
therefore
influenc'd
many
Others
by
his
Example
:
Or
else
,
which
is
not
improbable
,
because
this
Couragious
Action
of
his
in
beginning
the
Execution
,
gave
occasion
to
the
rest
of
the
Youth
to
follow
his
Example
,
and
clear
the
whole
Camp
of
Israel
of
the
Offenders
.
And
without
doubt
this
was
the
reason
why
Phinehas
was
afterwards
sent
Commander
of
the
Army
against
the
Midianites
,
because
GOD
was
likelier
to
bless
that
Hand
with
Success
which
had
thus
led
the
way
,
and
signaliz'd
it self
by
such
an
Act
of
Exemplary
Justice
.
This
same
Method
of
GOD's
Dealing
by
whole
Nations
,
according
to
that
visible
Appearance
of
Piety
and
Open
Face
of
Religion
that
is
among
them
,
is
very
discernable
in
the
whole
Series
of
GODs
Dispensations
to
the
Jews
.
And
if
we
could
see
the
Secret
Hand
that
manages
all
the
Affairs
of
this
World
,
we
should
find
this
to
be
at
the
bottom
of
them
all
,
as
the
main
Spring
by
which
all
Nations
and
Governments
,
all
Cities
and
Communities
undergo
that
great
variety
of
Changes
and
Revolutions
.
Now
the
Wisdom
and
the
Justice
of
GOD
in
this
is
very
Accountable
by
us
,
notwithstanding
that
the
Good
are
promiscuously
involv'd
in
the
same
Calamities
with
the
Wicked
.
For
,
1.
Since
good
and
bad
People
,
according
to
our
Saviour's
Similitude
,
grow
together
like
the
Tares
and
the
Wheat
,
they
must
therefore
undergo
all
the
several
Changes
of
Weather
in
common
,
let
the
Cause
be
what
it
will
;
His
Sun
must
shine
,
and
his
Rain
descend
upon
both
alike
.
So
that
He
hath
no
other
way
of
dealing
with
whole
Communities
,
but
by
sending
Temporal
Blessings
or
Judgments
upon
all
together
.
And
that
GOD
might
appear
Just
and
True
in
all
his
Dealings
by
the
Children
of
Men
,
the
Cause
of
these
things
must
be
something
that
is
common
to
them
both
;
and
that
can
be
only
this
general
Appearance
of
Goodness
,
or
open
Permission
of
Scandalous
Vices
.
For
Secret
Piety
and
Sincerity
is
proper
only
to
the
Good
,
and
Rewardable
in
another
World
:
And
therefore
as
the
Eternal
Welfare
of
Men
hereafter
depends
upon
their
own
Secret
Piety
,
so
the
Prosperity
of
whole
Nations
proceeds
from
the
Open
Profession
of
Religion
and
Morality
.
So
that
in
great
Strictness
Men
are
in
all
senses
,
the
true
Cause
of
all
the
Misfortunes
that
befal
them
either
in
this
World
,
or
the
next
.
GOD
hath
no
other
way
,
I
say
,
of
Dealing
with
whole
Nations
and
Societies
of
Men
now
,
so
as
to
proceed
without
all
Exception
,
and
preserve
his
Attributes
inviolable
.
But
when
these
little
Ties
and
Temporary
Obligations
which
Unite
Men
into
Bodies
here
shall
be
Dissolv'd
,
and
Mankind
New
Model'd
into
two
Great
and
Opposite
Parties
never
to
mix
again
;
then
there
will
be
full
scope
for
the
Exercise
of
all
the
Goodness
of
GOD
upon
the
one
,
and
of
his
just
Vengeance
upon
the
other
.
2.
The
Judgments
of
GOD
may
very
Justly
come
upon
the
Good
for
want
of
a
Zealous
Endeavour
of
Suppressing
those
Scandalous
Vices
in
others
.
Persons
may
be
truly
Vertuous
and
Holy
in
themselves
,
and
yet
be
without
a
good
measure
of
Indignation
at
Open
Impiety
and
Lewdness
;
so
that
they
deserve
to
share
in
the
Consequences
of
that
Impiety
they
did
not
use
their
utmost
Endeavours
to
suppress
.
And
accordingly
no
question
but
the
Plague
swept
away
many
of
those
who
were
not
guilty
of
the
Sin
that
caus'd
it
;
and
would
have
destroy'd
many
more
even
of
those
that
were
innocent
,
if
this
speedy
Suppression
of
those
Vices
had
not
prevented
it
.
Nay
thô
we
shou'd
suppose
no
want
of
Zeal
in
those
that
are
Innocent
,
yet
there
is
no
Injustice
in
their
Suffering
for
the
Sins
of
others
:
First
,
Because
there
are
no
Temporal
Judgments
can
befal
them
,
but
what
are
the
due
Reward
of
their
own
Sins
;
and
Secondly
,
Because
thô
they
were
not
,
but
that
they
suffered
wrongfully
;
yet
this
may
be
design'd
by
GOD
,
in
order
to
an
ample
Recompence
hereafter
:
Whereas
if
the
Bad
should
fail
of
a
Reward
in
this
Life
,
there
is
no
room
left
for
it
in
another
World
.
3.
Another
Reason
why
bare-fac'd
Impiety
and
open
Profaness
have
such
a
Tendency
to
bring
down
Judgments
upon
all
in
Common
is
,
Because
they
are
a
direct
Affront
and
Challenging
of
GOD.
Publick
Scandalous
Sins
when
they
grow
general
become
a
National
Quarrel
with
him
;
and
therefore
lay
a
sort
of
Necessity
upon
GOD
to
vindicate
his
Honour
,
and
visit
a
Nation
while
it
is
such
,
for
those
bold
and
open
Defiances
of
Heaven
,
since
there
can
be
no
opportunity
for
this
hereafter
.
Besides
,
This
of
openly
expressing
the
inward
corruptness
of
Mens
Souls
seems
to
be
accidental
to
the
guilt
,
for
't
is
no
more
than
proclaiming
and
giving
vent
to
what
was
hidden
before
;
and
therefore
we
can't
conceive
how
it
can
have
so
direct
an
Influence
upon
Mens
Future
State
.
For
their
greatest
Misery
will
then
be
the
Natural
Result
of
their
inward
Depravation
of
Mind
and
Conscience
;
and
therefore
the
other
seems
necessarily
to
require
some
Punishment
in
this
Life
,
thô
the
many
Evil
Consequences
of
Scandalous
Sins
may
hereafter
be
punisht
by
a
positive
Act
of
Justice
.
And
therefore
't
is
those
Open
Sins
which
are
not
to
be
conceal'd
from
the
knowledge
of
Men
,
such
as
Cursing
,
Swearing
and
Adultery
,
&c.
for
which
a
Land
is
said
to
mourn
.
Hypocricy
,
thô
it
is
a
base
and
detestable
thing
,
yet
it
seems
to
have
some
sense
of
GOD
and
Goodness
left
,
thô
it
preposterously
Act
contrary
to
them
both
.
It
is
commendable
in
this
,
that
â–ª
t
is
asham'd
of
its
own
Deformity
;
and
the
wearing
the
Mask
of
Religion
,
is
a
tacite
Acknowledgment
they
wou'd
be
sincerely
good
,
if
this
cou'd
be
had
with
the
same
Ease
:
And
it
shews
they
wou'd
hide
their
Wickedness
from
GOD
too
,
as
well
as
from
Men
if
it
were
possible
.
But
open
Debauchery
,
and
profest
Impiety
renounces
all
the
intrinsick
worth
of
Religion
;
't
is
a
direct
Affront
to
Heaven
,
and
a
Daring
of
GOD
:
And
therefore
when
he
is
thus
Challenged
,
he
is
constrain'd
to
Punish
for
the
Justification
of
his
Honour
.
But
when
on
the
contrary
they
appear
outwardly
to
be
Holy
,
the
Honour
of
GOD
is
however
preserv'd
and
the
dangerous
Consequences
prevented
.
Thô
they
have
nothing
of
true
Religion
at
the
heart
,
yet
it
shews
some
Veneration
for
Him
and
his
Laws
;
which
thô
it
be
that
of
Slaves
and
Vassals
and
not
of
True
Subjects
,
yet
't
is
not
left
without
a
Recompence
proper
for
it
.
A
meer
form
of
Godliness
and
empty
pretence
of
Piety
often
meets
with
a
suitable
Recompence
;
so
that
what
our
Saviour
says
of
particular
Hypocrites
is
true
of
greater
Bodies
and
Communities
of
them
,
That
they
have
their
Reward
.
A
famous
instance
of
this
is
not
out
of
the
Memory
of
some
yet
alive
;
a
time
when
all
solid
Vertue
,
and
moral
Honesty
was
drein'd
from
Christianity
,
and
nothing
left
but
the
outside
of
it
;
yet
this
was
proof
against
all
the
opposition
of
those
who
had
more
of
the
substance
,
but
too
little
of
the
outward
shew
and
profession
of
it
.
This
gave
them
such
Success
,
that
they
overcame
all
Difficulties
,
till
at
last
Hypocrisy
assum'd
the
Throne
,
ador'd
by
all
its
Votaries
;
and
reign'd
till
the
Varnish
came
off
the
guilded
Idol
,
and
discovered
nothing
but
Clay
and
Rottenness
all
within
.
And
now
if
they
had
Ears
to
hear
,
I
wou'd
speak
somthing
to
those
bold
and
resolute
Sinners
who
are
the
occasion
of
all
this
Trouble
and
Charge
;
But
they
are
so
far
past
feeling
,
that
none
of
the
Terrors
of
God
can
touch
them
,
and
therefore
I
must
leave
them
to
other
methods
.
I
shall
only
mind
them
here
(
if
ever
they
are
dispos'd
to
consider
it
)
that
besides
the
proper
guilt
of
their
own
sins
,
they
will
in
the
day
of
Judgment
be
accountable
for
all
those
Evils
upon
their
Country
,
which
have
been
the
consequences
of
their
sins
in
this
life
:
and
that
thô
they
may
escape
the
hand
of
Justice
here
,
yet
Damnation
expects
them
,
and
they
are
only
Repriev'd
till
the
Judgment
of
the
Great
Day
.
V.
The
last
thing
I
shall
observe
from
hence
is
,
That
as
the
Suppression
of
Scandalous
Wickedness
diverts
the
Judgments
of
God
from
a
People
in
general
,
so
it
brings
down
particular
Blessings
on
the
Heads
of
those
which
are
the
Instruments
of
it
.
For
this
action
of
Phinehas
,
Behold
says
GOD
I
give
him
my
Covenant
of
Peace
,
by
which
Interpreters
understand
Prosperity
,
and
all
Temporal
Blessings
:
And
besides
it
follows
,
that
GOD
would
give
him
the
Covenant
of
an
Everlasting
Priesthood
,
(
i.
e.
)
confirm
it
in
the
same
Line
to
him
and
his
Posterity
.
But
Eli
afterwards
forfeited
the
Priesthood
for
the
contrary
reason
,
because
his
Sons
made
themselves
vile
and
he
restrained
them
not
.
A
tenderness
to
his
own
Children
made
him
disregard
the
Publick
Good
,
and
prefer
the
Ease
and
Quiet
of
his
Private
Family
before
the
Publick
Welfare
of
the
Church
:
Whereas
Phinehas
in
all
likelihood
,
ran
a
great
hazard
of
his
Life
,
since
Zimri
and
Cosbi
were
considerable
Persons
,
One
the
Head
of
a
Chief
House
,
and
the
Other
a
Prince's
Daughter
of
Midian
;
and
therefore
probably
there
wanted
not
People
to
endeavour
a
Revenge
.
And
the
Success
must
have
been
very
uncertain
at
a
time
when
their
general
Lewdness
,
as
appears
by
this
action
of
Zimri's
,
out-brav'd
the
Laws
and
Magistrates
,
and
therefore
as
it
is
Psal.
106.
This
was
counted
to
him
for
Righteousness
thrô
all
Generations
for
evermore
.
This
was
a
Rare
and
Admirable
Instance
of
a
truly
generous
Zeal
and
Publick
Spirit
,
than
which
nothing
is
more
acceptable
to
Almighty
God
;
because
it
places
Him
and
his
Cause
uppermost
in
our
Minds
,
and
makes
all
things
subservient
to
his
Will
:
this
is
the
greatest
indication
of
a
sincere
love
of
God
,
and
is
truly
the
highest
pitch
of
Virtue
.
Even
the
Heathens
had
a
mighty
sence
of
the
excellence
of
this
concern
for
the
common
Good
,
as
appears
from
the
many
Brave
and
Generous
Actions
they
did
for
their
Superstition
.
And
the
wise
Athenian
Lawgiver
being
ask'd
Which
was
the
most
effectual
means
of
preserving
Justice
and
Equity
in
a
City
?
answered
,
That
those
who
receive
no
Injury
by
unlawful
things
,
be
equally
incens'd
as
those
who
suffer
by
them
.
And
gave
this
as
the
surest
sign
of
the
decay
of
any
Community
,
when
every
one
is
eagerly
bent
upon
their
own
welfare
,
without
regard
to
any
thing
beyond
themselves
.
The
Gospel
improves
and
encourages
this
Excellent
Temper
,
and
requires
such
a
disposition
of
heart
,
and
mutual
Concern
for
the
good
of
one
another
in
all
its
Members
,
as
if
they
were
but
one
Family
;
and
teaches
to
prefer
the
glory
of
God
,
above
all
that
is
near
and
dear
to
us
.
The
description
of
our
Saviour's
Temper
in
the
69
Psalm
,
is
,
That
the
Zeal
of
Gods
House
had
eaten
him
up
(
i.
e.
)
the
Zeal
and
Concern
he
had
for
the
glory
of
GOD
and
his
Church
,
even
prey'd
upon
his
Spirits
.
â–ª
It
follows
,
And
the
Reproaches
of
them
that
reproached
thee
is
fallen
upon
me
(
i.
e.
)
I
have
as
quick
and
feeling
a
sense
of
any
reproach
or
dishonour
done
to
Thee
,
as
if
it
were
done
to
my self
.
Let
therefore
the
same
Spirit
be
in
us
,
and
let
us
lay
to
heart
the
daily
Profanations
of
GOD's
holy
Name
among
us
,
the
open
Reproaches
of
his
Divine
Truths
,
and
the
manifold
Transgression
of
his
Laws
with
a
hardy
Insolence
and
Publick
Defiance
.
And
let
us
not
be
wanting
to
do
all
that
in
us
lies
for
the
Glory
of
GOD
,
and
the
Dignity
of
his
Laws
;
at
a
time
when
we
have
so
fair
an
Opportunity
given
us
of
shewing
our
Zeal
for
GOD
,
our
Indignation
at
the
Vices
and
Immoralities
of
the
Age
,
and
to
promote
a
General
Reformation
of
Life
and
Manners
.
Why
Men
shou'd
not
be
as
Zealous
in
the
Execution
of
Laws
made
against
Vice
,
as
of
those
that
are
made
in
favour
of
their
Temporal
Interests
,
is
hard
to
tell
,
unless
it
be
,
that
they
love
the
World
better
than
they
do
GOD.
And
why
giving
of
Evidence
in
these
Cases
should
be
more
condemn'd
,
than
in
any
Case
of
Injustice
done
to
our selves
,
I
know
not
;
there
can
be
no
Reason
given
,
but
because
People
are
more
Tender
of
their
Worldly
Concerns
,
than
they
are
of
the
Glory
of
GOD.
What
were
these
good
Laws
made
for
?
Nay
,
what
have
we
a
Religion
for
?
Certainly
not
for
meer
shew
and
formality
.
therefore
all
who
had
any
hand
in
making
these
Pious
Laws
,
are
bound
to
forward
and
promote
the
Execution
of
them
,
as
they
will
defend
us
all
from
the
Imputation
of
a
Solemn
National
Hypocrisie
.
'T
is
a
shame
to
see
with
what
Fierceness
and
great
Expence
of
Time
and
Money
,
Men
will
prosecute
an
Affront
done
to
themselves
,
and
yet
leave
all
those
Excellent
Laws
that
are
made
against
the
Publick
Reproaches
of
GOD's
holy
Name
and
his
Religion
,
to
lie
neglected
and
trampled
upon
.
GOD
be
prais'd
there
is
now
a
Spirit
of
Zeal
and
Fervour
,
answerable
to
that
of
Phinehas
stirr'd
up
among
us
,
with
the
true
Qualifications
and
Temper
of
the
Gospel
;
in
opposition
to
that
growing
Spirit
of
Irreligion
and
Infidelity
which
hath
bid
open
Defiance
to
GOD
and
Goodness
.
If
we
Cherish
and
Encourage
it
,
we
may
promise
our selves
the
Victory
in
the
End
:
For
true
Vertue
is
then
only
in
danger
when
't
is
attack'd
with
Methods
of
Treachery
,
and
't
is
never
safer
than
when
it
hath
declar'd
open
War
with
Vice
.
The
contest
is
now
with
Mens
Vices
,
and
not
with
their
Opinions
;
't
is
not
the
Interest
of
a
Party
,
but
the
common
Cause
of
Christianity
.
And
't
is
a
Noble
Enterprize
,
for
by
removing
these
Immoralities
,
we
strike
at
the
very
Root
of
Socinianism
,
which
is
now
grown
a
many-Headed
Monster
,
and
improv'd
into
a
strange
variety
of
Profane
and
Atheistical
Principles
;
all
which
look
one
way
,
and
agree
to
make
a
Body
against
all
reveal'd
Religion
,
and
the
Mysteries
of
the
Gospel
.
'T
is
a
tedious
way
about
to
grapple
with
every
one
of
them
singly
,
and
by
this
means
we
find
they
multiply
upon
us
:
But
this
is
to
cut
them
off
all
at
once
,
for
make
People
but
truly
Moral
Men
,
and
then
't
is
easy
to
make
them
Good
and
Believing
Christians
.
Let
not
therefore
any
of
those
,
who
are
the
more
immediate
Undertakers
of
this
Good
Work
,
be
discourag'd
with
any
Opposition
they
meet
with
;
they
have
but
Two
great
Difficulties
to
struggle
with
,
and
by
the
Blessing
of
God
they
will
overcome
them
both
;
The
Jealousies
of
good
People
,
and
the
Fury
of
those
that
are
prosecuted
.
As
for
the
Suspicions
and
Jealousies
of
good
People
,
they
will
all
wear
off
by
degrees
,
when
they
consider
what
have
been
already
the
good
Effects
of
your
Zeal
for
GOD
&
Goodness
.
When
they
consider
that
face
of
Piety
and
Devotion
which
of
late
is
visible
in
our
Publick
Worship
in
the
Congregation
;
the
great
increase
in
the
number
of
Communicants
in
all
our
Churches
;
the
sensible
Decrease
of
Publick
and
Scandalous
Vice
in
this
City
,
&c.
Let
them
but
lay
these
things
,
which
are
a
substantial
present
advantage
to
our
Church
and
Nation
,
against
those
groundless
surmises
of
some
ill
Consequences
they
know
not
when
,
nor
how
.
Let
us
but
thorowly
reform
the
Vices
of
this
Age
,
and
that
is
the
surest
way
of
preventing
ill
Consequences
in
the
next
.
And
indeed
what
Consequences
can
be
more
formidable
then
that
of
open
Cursing
and
Swearing
,
Adultery
and
Whoredom
,
and
all
that
Impudent
and
Bare-fac'd
Impiety
which
,
with
the
Encouragement
of
the
Magistrates
and
Contributions
of
good
People
,
they
may
be
the
happy
means
of
suppressing
.
As
to
the
other
Difficulty
you
are
to
grapple
with
,
you
must
expect
the
work
will
not
be
very
easy
;
for
the
Rage
and
Fury
of
Persons
crost
and
disturb'd
in
their
Vices
,
is
very
well
likened
by
Solomon
to
the
fierceness
of
a
Bear
when
she
is
rob'd
of
her
Whelps
.
But
comfort
your selves
with
this
,
that
they
have
no
other
Objection
against
you
,
but
what
the
Devils
made
to
our
Saviour
,
That
you
come
to
torment
them
before
their
time
.
Do
you
however
appear
as
resolute
for
the
Cause
of
God
,
as
they
do
for
that
of
the
Devil
;
The
World
is
come
to
that
pass
,
that
it
is
impossible
to
be
truly
Good
without
Courage
and
Resolution
.
Let
us
but
remain
Undaunted
,
and
this
Impudent
Impiety
will
loose
Ground
dayly
,
till
the
Numbers
of
its
Votaries
grow
so
small
that
they
will
be
asham'd
of
it
.
The
worst
of
Men
have
a
secret
Awe
and
Veneration
for
Vertue
and
Holiness
;
there
is
so
much
of
GOD
in
it
,
that
they
can
no
more
raze
out
all
Veneration
for
it
in
their
Minds
,
then
they
can
the
Existence
of
a
Deity
:
And
there
is
so
much
of
the
innate
quality
of
the
Devil
in
all
Vice
and
Wickedness
,
that
if
we
do
resist
it
manfully
it
will
fly
from
us
,
and
we
shall
surely
be
Conquerors
in
the
end
.
FINIS
.