Fervent Zeal Against Flagrant Wickedness

DOCTRINE.

For the preventing of Mistakes, it may be premised.

1. Our first and chief resentment should be against our own Sins. How odd and strange would it look, to pluck at a Mote in our Brother's eye, and suffer a Beam in our own? Mat. 7.3.—5. We shall never duly abhor Sin in others, if we donit heartily hate and loath it in ourselves. Deepest Self abasement and holy shame, well becomes us for our own Sins. The best of Saints have expressed great Self abasement for Sin. Abraham called himself, Dust and Ashes, Gen. 18.27. Job said (Chap. 42.6.) I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. The Psalmist said, Psal. 73.22. So foolish was I, and ignorant; I was as a beast before thee. Agur said, Prov. 30.2. Surely I am more brutish than any man. The holy Prophet said, Isai. 6.5. I am a man of unclean lips. The Apostle Paul, who was so zealously moved against the gross crimes of others, had very Self-abasing thoughts for his own Sins; calling himself the chief of Sinners (1 Tim. 1.15) Less than the least of all saints, (Eph. 3.8.) And says, He was not meet to be called an Apostle, because he had persecuted the Church of God, 1 Cor. 15.9. The strongest, sharpest resentments, should be against our own Sins. An universal abhorrence of Sin in ourselves, fits us the better to appear against Sin in others.

2. We should manifest Charity and Forbearance, towards Weak, Infirm Christians. If we have good ground to believe, that they are Orthodox as to the Main Fundamental Articles of Faith; that they mean well and honestly, conscientiously Indeavouring to avoid known Sin, and to practice the duties of Christianity according to their best light; I say, as for such, we should love them, bear with them, Receive them though' not to donbtful disputations, Rom. 14.1. We then that are strong, ought to bear the Infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves, Rom. 15.1. This holy Apostle Paul, who was so zealous against plain, known, flagrant wickedness in others; was yet very tender and condescending to Weak, Infirm Christians. To the weak, became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some, 1 Cor. 9.22. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ, Gal. 6.2.

Having premised these things, we may prosecute the Doctrine, by Indeavouring an Answer to these Inquiries, [1.] How should our fervent dislike of, and Zealous Indignation against, the plain known Sins of others; exert and manifest themselves? [2.] Why should we thus manifest our dislike of, and zealous Indignation against, the plain, notorious Sins of others?

Quest. 1. How should our fervent dislike of, and zealous Indignation against, the plain, known Sins of others; exert and manifest themselves?

Here I might say, Negatively,

• 1. We should not move out of our own Line or Sphere, to testify against the Sins of Others. Every private Person must not make himself Judge of, or Executioner against, the Notorious Offender; though' he should deeply abhor his crimes. We must keep within the bounds of our Station, the Place and Capacity God has set us in, even in showing our dislike of the Sins of Others. The private Person, must not pretend to exert the Authority of an Officer. Let every man wherein he is called, therein abide with God, 1. Cor. 7.24.
• 2. We should never commit one Sin, to show our dislike of another. We should never tell a Lie, nor bear false Witness; to get any crime, though' never so gross, punished. We should not do evil, that good may come of it, Rom. 3.8.
• 3. We should not act from wrong Principles. We should not testify against the Sins of others, from any private Malice, personal grudge or revenge against their Persons ( Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, Rom. 12.19) nor from a Principle of Vain-glory or Self-applause, that we may be esteemed and praised by Men, as being Zealots. Let nothing be done thro' strife or vain glory, Phil. 2.3. Having given these Negative hints:

We may answer Affirmatively, and say

• 1. We should show our grief and sorrow for the Sins of Others. David, Beheld transgressors and was grieved, because they kept not God's word, Psal. 119.158. Lot's righteous; soul was grieved and vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked, 2. Pet. 2.7, 8. Our eye should affect our heart, if we see or hear of, the gross crimes of others; we should grieve and mourn for them. Yea, and we should Manifest or make Known, our grief for the Sins of others; we should Sigh & Cry for the abominations committed, Ezek. 9.4. The Apostle said, I now tell you •• eping, that such & such are enemies of the Cross of Christ, Phil. 3.18, 19, The consideration of their Sins, moved his holy heart, and drew Tears from his eyes. Moses and the Congregation were weeping at the door of the Tabernacle, for the Wickedness of those who had join'd themselves to Baal-peor, Numb. 25.6.
• 2. We should live contrary to the Sins of Others. In this way, we should Indeed condemn all manner of wickedness in Others; saying as he, Neh. 5.15. So did not 1, because of the fear of God. If we practice wickedness ourselves, and condemn the same in others; may they not justly retort and say, Physician heal thyself? The Apostle says, Rom. 2.1. Therefore thou art Inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that Judgest; for wherein thou Judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that Judgest, doest the same thing. If one Drunkard reprove another, one Thief reprove another; one profane Swearer reprove another; it's not likely that much good will come of such reproofs. Let us therefore be harmless, blameless, unrebukable; deny all Ungodliness and Worldly Lusts, and live Soberly, Righteously, Godlily. Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of Flesh and Spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Let us live as Daniel, whose very enemies could find no ocoasion against him, but concerning the law of his God, (Dan. 6.5.) Nothing against him, but what was really and truly matter of commendation. By such an holy and virtuous conversation, let us continually show our dislike of, and bear our testimony against, all manner of wickedness in others.
• 3. We should in our words as there is occasion, plainly condemn the plain known Sins of others. Whoever the Persons are that be guilty, we should not Scruple plainly to condemn the abominable crimes committed by them; such as Sabhath-breaking, Profane Swearing and Cursing, a Contemptuous neglect of God's Public Worship, Notorious Disobedience to Parents, Murders, Malicious Quarrellings, Fornications, Adulteries, Filthy Unclean Practices, Drunkenness, Rioting, Chamboring, Wantonness, (Rom 13.13.) Night-Revels, Mad Frolicks, St •• ling, Cheating, Defrauding, Oppressing, Promise breaking, Lying, Slandring, Backbiting, Perjuries, Briberies, and the like. As there is occasion, we should not Scruple in our Words freely to censure and condemn, such works of darkness, such works of the Devil as these are. How freely and fully does the Apostle express himself, against plain gross abominations? Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these, Adultery, Fornication, Uncleanness, Lasciviousness, Idolatry, Witchcraft, Hatred, Variance. Emulations, Wrath, Strife, Seditions, Heresies, Envying, of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things, shall not Inherit the Kingdom of God, Gal. 5.19.—21. The Apostle does not Scruple plainly to condemn these wicked works, declaring that those who live in them, shall miss of Heaven and be turned into Hell So, we should freely condemn known abominations, though' not from an Insulting contempt of the Persons guilty; but from an hearty abhorrence of their Crimes.
• 4 We should reprove the Vicious and Criminal, and Indeavour to Reform them. Faithful reproof when there is occasion, is one of the truest proofs of brotherly love and friendship. Thou shalt not hate thy Brother in thine heart, thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbor; and shall not suffer sin upon him, Lev. 19.17. Warn them that are unruly, 1 Thes. 5.14. We should with a Spirit of Meekness, Indeavour by reproofs to heal and reform Offenders, Gal. 6.1. And as there is occasion, reproofs should be Sharp and Pungent: reprove them sharply, Tit. 1.13. Wine as well as Oil must be poured into Wounds, (Luk. 10.34.) for the Searching and Cleansing, in order to the Curing of them. Eli was criminally soft and easy, in reproving his Vicious Scandalous Sons, when more sharp Methods were needful. Indeed he said to them, Why do ye such things? I hear of your evil dealings by all this people: Nay my Sons, it is no good report that I hear, ye make the Lord's people to transgress, 1 Sam. 2.23, 24. Possibly some wont reprove so much as this, for Notorious Scandalous wickedness; yet this was far too short, he should have done much more; and for not doing it, God brought those Judgments on him and his Family, which made both the Ears of them that heard them to tingle, 1 Sam. 3.11.
• 5. We should discountenance the wicked and ungodly. A shy or displeased Look, may sometimes manifest a dislike of the wickedness of others. Prov. 25.23. The north wind driveth away rain; so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue. We should not so much as by a pleasant look, Cherish or Encourage others in wickedness; but rather by an angry countenance testify against their S ••• .

  As for those who are known to be Vicious and Scandalous, we should not need Josly Prefer or Imploy them. How can those who are true Christians, who have the true fear of God in their hearts, endeavor to advance or prefer to any Place of Trust or Honor, those who are Notoriously wicked, Intemperate, Unclean, given to Profane Swearing, Lying, Stealing, Cheating, or any Immoral Practices? It's part of the Character of a true Practical Saint, to Contemn a vile person, as well as Honor them that fear the Lord, Psal. 15.4. Holy David very fully and plainly said, I hate the work of them that turn aside, it shall not cleave to me. A froward heart shall depart from me; I will not know a wicked person. Whoso privily slandreth his neighbor, him Will I cut off. Him that bath an high look, and a proud heart, will I not suffer. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the Land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me, Psal. 101.3,—6. This plainly shows, that he was not for preferring and honoring the Vicious, but for discountenancing of them; and for preferring and employing the Virtuous and Faithful. And thus it should be with us, according to the various Stations and Capacities God has set us in. Much might be done to bear down wickedness, by thus discountenancing of it. Why should we Imploy and Prefer in Business, the Drankard, the Profane Swearer, the Thief, Cheater, Liar, Promise breaker, if we can get others to do the Service? If we let the wicked know, that we reject their Service because of their wickedness; this would show a dislike of their Sin. and might be one Means to work at least some Reformation in them. If Vicious Seamen, Tradesmen, and others were thus evidently discountenanc'd for their known wickedness; possibly their own consequent Straits and Necessuies, might force them to some amendment.

• 6. We should plainly give in Testimony against the Sins of others, as there is occasion for it. There are cases, wherein Persons not only may but should bear witness against wickedness, for the Punishing of it and preventing Impending Evils, Deut. 17.7. How common is it when Persons are Vicious and Scandalous, to tell of their faults behind their backs, to spread their ill same; but if any strict Search is made to have their faults punished, then those who can testify to convict them, will shrink, bite in their words it may be; and say, They donit care to have strife with their neighbors, nor witness against them, nor get the all will of them; Alas, how often is it thus? So that from a base sinful Cowardice, wickedness often prevails Unpunished, God is dishonored, Religion suffers, the Devil is gratified, the guilty unspeakably Injured, and the Public greatly endangered by being exposed to God's Judgments. Because some wont be so bold against the Devil's Kingdom and Interest, as to bear witness against known wickedness when they might and ought to do it; therefore they are deeply chargeable with the evils now mentioned, God's being dishonor'd, Religion suffering, &c Such backwardness to bear witness against Sin, is a shrirking from God; cause, let that take care of itself for all them; nay, 'tis in some fort a siding, with the Devil. For Christ says, Mat. 12.30. He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me, seattereth abroad. We should love Christ, His Cause, Honor, Interest above all our nearest Neighbors, Friends, Relatives, Acquaintaince whatsoever. The case may be such, as to render it our duty to witness and act against the Sins of a Brother, Son, Daughter, Wife, or Friend that is as one's own Soul; and that even to the taking away of Life too, Deut. 13.6—10. The cause of Christ and Piety, should be dearer to us than the love or friendship of any Person or Persons whatsoever. In this sense our Savior said, Luk, 14.26. If any man come to me, and hate not his Father, and Mother, and Wife and Children, and Brethren and Sisters; yea and his own life also, he cannot be my Disciple. We should not Scruple therefore, when we can, and are called to it, to bear plain Testimony against gross wickedness, that it may be punished. Nay it may be our duty in many cases, where we can prove the gross crimes of Drunkenness, Profane Swearing, Sabbath breaking, and the like; and Persons wont be mended by more private and gentle Methods; to go on purpose to Inform against them, that they may be punished. Thus to do, it but a siding with Christ and His Interest, against the Devil and his Interest.
• 7. We should avoid as much as may be, the needless Society or Company of Scandalous Sinners. Sometimes indeed it may be needful to be with them, to reprove them. Sometimes possibly we may have necessary business with them, or unavoidably fall into their Company; so that we must even Go out of the world (as the Apostle says, 2 Cor. 5.10.) if we would Intirely and Continually avoid their Company. But my meaning is, we should not Needlessly accompany with Scandalous Sinners; eve should not choose their Company, nor freely associate with them; not allow them to be our usual Companions, but should shun their Company for their wickedness. What, are they given to Chambering and Wantonness, Rioting and Drunkenness, Uncleanness, Profaness, and the like? Then let us not put so much honor and respect upon 'em, as to let 'em frequent our Company. Eph. 5.11. Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Prov. 22.24, 25. Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go; lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul. The Apostle says, 1 Cor. 5.9. I wrote unto you in an Epistle, not to company with Fornicators. 2 Thes. 3.14. If any man obey not our word by this Epistle' note that man, and have no company with him that he may be ashamed. Those who grossly disobey God's written Word, should be avoided; we should let them know that we dislike their Company for their wickedness; that so they may be ashamed and reform. David said, I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go with dissemblers. I have hated the Congregation of evil doers, and will not sit with the wicked, Psal. 26.4, 5. Depart from me ye evil doers, for I will keep the Commandments of my God. Psal. 119.115. It's truly a bad mark on any Person, when he loves and frequents loose, vain, idle, wicked Company. How easy is it to guess, what Persons are by observing the company they keep? As, He that walks with the wise, shall be wise; so, a companion of fools shall be destroyed, Prov. 13.20. It's part of the blessed Man's Character, Psal. 1.1. That he walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. We should be companions of them that fear God, and keep his precepts, (Psal. 119.63.) but not of those who Scandalously break them. As we ourselves should avoid the company of such, so we should warn others to do so too. My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not — walk not thou in the way with them, refrain thy foot from their path, Prov. 1.10, 15. Forsake the foolish, and live, Prov. 9.6. and Prov. 4.14, 15. Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men; avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. In these two Verses, the same thing for substance is Inculcated Six times over; even that we should avoid ill Company. Then surely the keeping such Company, must needs be vile and abominable, it tends to Encourage wickedness, rather than to prevent or suppress it.
• 8. Those who have Authority for it, should duly punish gross Offenders. Every One according to the Office, Station, Capacity he is in; should Imploy his Influence and Authority, to prevent and suppress wickedness as much as possible.

Heads of Families should discharge a good Conscience in this matter; by duly punishing of Sin in their Children and Servants. He that spareth his rod, hateth his son; but he that loveth him, chasteneth him betimes, Prov. 13.24. Withhold not correction from the child; for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell, Prov. 23.13, 14. A servant will not be corrected by words; for though he understand he will not answer, Prov. 29.19. Church censures also should be dispensed to those who deserve them, and need them for their healing; for the destruction of their flesh, that their spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus, 1 Cor. 5.5. Ministers also in their Preaching, should plainly lay open and condemn the wickedness of Men. Cry aloud and spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their, transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins, Isai. 58.1. They should plainly Preach against all Unrighteousness and Ungodliness of Men; laying open and condemning their particular Lusts of Drunkenness, Profaneness, Covetousness, &c. Faithfully denouncing the threatenings and terrors of God against them. This they should do with great plainness, boldness and fervent zeal; as well as Preach the most Precious, Inviting, Melting Promises, to those that will Penitently Trust in Christ. Thus Ministers should do, though' probably when they touch Men to the quick, gall their guilty Consciences, lay open and condemn their beloved Lusts and darkling Sins; the Mouths of the wicked will be open against them, laying some causeless charge or other against them. I suppose 'tis seldom if ever known, but that if Ministers are faithful in their Office, testifying against Sin; they meet with lashes and reproaches from some vile Tongues or other. Thus it was with the holy Prophets of old, All manner of evil was spoken against them falsely, for Christ's sake, Mat. 5.11, 12. For Christ's sake, for plainly Preaching His Truths, Inclcating His Precepts; and testifying against and condemning, those Vicious Practices which were contrary to His Laws, and provoking in His sight. However, Ministers ought to be faithful to God, and to Souls, in plainly Preaching against all manner of known wickedness.

So, Civil Rulers who bear the Sword of Justice, should not let it rust in their hands; but Imploy it against the wicked. They should cut off the horns of the wicked, (Psal. 75.10.) break their jaws, and pluck the spoil out of their teeth, Job 29.17. They should be a terror to evil works, make the wicked afraid; they should not kold the sword in vain, but as Revengers appointed by God, they should execute wrath on him that doth evil, Rom. 13.3, 4. As the Power of Civil Rulers (whether for Making or Executing Laws) is betrusted with them by God, so it should be Imployed for God. It should be faithfully and impartially exerted, to Encourage all manner of Virtue and Goodness; and to Discourage all manner of Vice and Wickedness, in all Persons High and Low Rich and Poor.

These are some of the ways and methods, wherein those who truly fear God: should manifest their resentment and dislike of, and servant zealous Indignation against, the plain Notorious Sins of others.

But possibly 'twill be objected,

1. Men wont bear such plain dealing. Men wont bear to be thus plainly told of, reproved and testified against, for their Sins: they wont bear that Persons should be forewarned their Company, because of their wickedness; they'll be displeased and angry to be thus dealt with.

I reply, We bad better suffer Men's displeasure for doing of Duty, than God's displeasure for neglecting it. If we show our dislike of Men's Sins, according as God directs and requires, we shall but displease Men in it; but if we neglect to do what God requires of us, we shall then displease and provoke the Great GOD Himself, even the Infinitely Holy and Jealous GOD. And whom shall we please, GOD or Men? Whose favor is most to be valu'd and desit'd; that of GOD or of Men? Canit every Christian answer this case? The Apostle Peter said, Acts 5.29. We ought to obey God rather than men. The Apostle Paul said, Rom. 15.2. Let everyone please his neighbor for his good, to edification. We should no further please 'em, than will be for their good and edification; therefore not please them, by Incouraging or Indulging them in known wickedness, for this is unspeakably to their hurt and damage. Gal. 1.10. If I yet pleased men (that is, in opposition to God and His Interest) I should not be the servant of Christ. I Thes. 2.4. Even so speak we, not as pleasing men, but God which trieth our hearts. Our great Study and Care should be, to please God, to approve our Hearts and Consciences to Him; though' Men should be never so much displeased and provoked with our doing so. We should show a servant Zeal, an holy boldness for God, for His Truths, Ways, Cause and Interest; though' Men fret, fume and rage never so much against us. When the wicked Jews did Contradict and Blaspheme, this did but raise the holy courage of Paul and Barnabas; it's said, They waxed bold, Acts 13 45, 46.

Possibly 'twill be objected,

2. This is the way to make Parties and Divisions among Men. To be thus plain in testifying against the Sins, and avoiding the Company of the Vicious and Scandalous; what is this but to promote Parties and Divisions?

I reply, This tends indeed to promote Christ's Party and Interest, and to suppress the Devils; and we cannot do too much in these things. There are but Two great Parties in the World, that of Christ, and that of the Devil. Christ came to destroy the works of the Devil. Every particular Person, is a Child of God, or a Child of the Devil, 1 Joh. 3.8, 10. And shall we not plainly show by our profession and practice, whose Party we are of, whose side we belong to? As ever we would be of Christ's Party, appear among His Sheep, at His right hand in the Great Day; let us now be, and act, as becomes His faithful followers. We should not be ashamed of, but should own, Christ before Men; we should openly profess His Name and Truths, and walk in His Ways; should detest and obhor those works of the Devil which He came to dostroy: We should plainly show our obhorrence of damnable Errors and Heresies, and Scandalous Immoralities; though' Satan's Party, the Enemies of Truth and Holiness are never so much displeased and provoked at it. Let the World plainly know, that we are of Christ's Party, willing to endure hardness, as His good Soldiers, to fight the good fight of faith under Him the Captain of our Salvation; that we are friends and favorers of all Virtue and Holiness, and enemies of all Heresy and Wickedness. What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial?—Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, 2 Cor. 6.14, 15, 17. We should separate as much as possibly from all known wickedness, from all appearance of Evil, from the Garments spotted with the flesh; and from all needless familiar Society with the Vicious and Scandalous; as ever we expect that God should receive, bless and save us. Without Holiness no man shall see the Lord, Hob. 12.14. Let us not fear therefore, to show our fervent Zeal against known Scandalous wickedness. The beholding of gross abominable wickedness, kindl'd a fire of holy Zeal in Phineas; he showed his Zeal against Sin, not fearing any Party that might be raised against him, Numb. 25.6-11. When Moses beheld the Golden Calf, that Instrument of Cursed Idolatry (like Paul in our Text, his Spirit was stirred in him) his anger waxed hot, he said, Who is on the Lord's side? Exod. 32.19, 26. He showed his holy anger against the Peoples great wickedness, stirred up many to execute Vengeance for it; not fearing what Parties should be raised against him for doing so. Prov. 29.25. The fear of man bringeth a snare; but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord, shall be safe. If we are on the Lord's side (and woe be to us if we are not) let it appear by our Professing His Truths, walking in His Ways, obeying His Commands, testifying against the things that evidently provoke Him; let us do thus, how much soever any may be provoked with us therefor. Gal. 4.18. It is good to be zealously affected always, in a good thing. We need not fear Parties or Divisions, if our zeal be according to knowledge, and only for good and against wicked things; and if we walk in Simplicity and godly Sincerity. Rom. 8.31. If God be for us, who can be against us? 1 Pet. 3. 13, 17. Who is be that will barm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?—For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. It is better, safer, more honorable to be on God's side (and so have Him on ours) though' all Men were against us; than to have all Creatures on our side, and to have GOD against us.

But we may now proceed to the next Inquiry, viz.

Quest. 2. Why should we thus manifest our dislike of, and zealous Indignation against, the plain, notorious Sins of others?

Answ. 1. Because they provoke God and gratify the Devil. They provoke God, they are a practical trampling on His Authority, a despising of His Laws and Government, an affront to His Infinite Majesty. Sin is the abominable thing that God hates, it provokes him to wrath, Jer. 44.4, 8. Indeed we should be highly displeased with those things, which are thus highly provoking to the Infinitely Holy and Glorious GOD. And those things which are thus offensive and provoking to GOD, are pleasing and gratifying to the Devil. He that committeth sin, is of the Devil, 1 Joh. 3.8. The Devil is an enemy of all righteousness, he works in the Children of disobedience (prompting them to their disobedience) all Sin is pleasing to him: and the more vile and wicked Men are, so much the more the Devil is pleased and gratify'd. Well, we should abhor and renounce the Devil and all his works ( • e should abhor that which is evil, Rom. 12.9.) and show our utmost abhorrence of, and displeasure against, those things which promote his hellish Interest.

2. Because they Injure the Souls of those that are guilty of them. God says, Prov. 8.36. He that sinneth against me, wrongeth his own soul, When persons are Prosane, Unclean, Intemperate, false in their Words, Unrighteous in their Practices; What are they doing? Why they are wronging their own Souls, cutting, wounding, damming their Precious Immortal Souls; that is, they are Increasing their loads of guilt, Incensing Divine Vengeance against them, heaping up wrath against the day of wrath, and so preparing for greater Plagues and Miseries in the Eternal World, in the Endless Torments of Hell, if speedy Repentance prevent not. Surely, we should be grieved for such things as these, show our utmost dislike of them. For we should Love our Nighbours as ourselves; and how can we do this, without showing out utmost dislike of what's most evidently and extremely Injurious to them? Would it not grieve our very hearts, to see a Distracted Person cutting, wounding, grievously hurting himself? Ought we not to do what we could, to prevent his thus Injuring of himself? Then how much more should we be grieved, for what's unspeakably Injurious to the Precious Immortal Souls of Men; and how greatly should we be concerned to prevent their ruin? Where's our Love to our endangered Neighbor, if we donit do what we can to turn him from the error of his ways, and so to prevent the Eternal ruin of his Precious Immortal Soul?

3. Because they tend to pull down Public Judgments. Prov. 14.34. Righteousness exalteth a Nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. Rom. 1.18. The wrath of God is revealed from heaven, against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. The more Sin abounds in any Place, or among any People, so much the more God is provoked, and so much the more likely it is, that His Judgments will soon be poured down upon them. Jer. 5.25.— Your Iniquities have withholden good things from you. Isai. 42.24. Who gave Jacob for a Spoil, and Israel to the Robbers? Did not the Lord, he against whom we have sinned? For they would not walk in his way;, neither were they obedient unto his law. Those therefore who Love their Country, and desire the welfare of it; should do all they lawfully may, to discountenance and suppress wickedness; that so the Judgments of God may be prevented, and His needful Mercies be bestowed and continued.

But we may now proceed to some brief APPLICATION, and from what we have heard, we may Infer,

1. We should be deeply humbled, that we have not had more becoming Resentments and Abhorrence of Sin, in our Selves and Others. How much of Sin has there been in us, and how little grief and shame for it, how little anger and opposition against it? How apt have we been, to cherish God's Enemies (our cursed Lusts) in our own bosoms? We should be ashamed, abased, deeply humbled, that we have had no more quick, lively resentments and abhorrence of Sin in our Selves. And as for Others, have we not often seen and heard of, much wickedness in them; and yet been little or nothing moved and grieved at it? How vile was this! What, to see God dishonored, our Neighbor Injured, the Public endangered, the Devil gratified; and not to show our greatest grief, dislike and abhorrence! This is vile indeed, and calls for deep humiliation in us.

2. Great blame is justly due to sundry Sorts of Persons. If we should manifest our great dislike and abherrence of the gross Sins of Others, then great blame belongs,

• (1.) To those who allow themselves in gross Scandalous Evils. Their works show them to be rebels against God, to be Enemies of the cross of Christ; because they live in those vile Practices, which Christ died to Save Men from. If we should abhor vile Practices in Others, then surely we should avoid them our Selves, else we shall be utterly Inexcusable.

  Great blame belongs,

• (2.) To those who prompt and move Others to do wickedly. Satan is emphatically called, The Tempter (Mat 4.3.) and those. Men and Women are his Agents and under Officers, as it were, who tempt and solicit Persons to do wickedly Some. Persons will tempt and move Others, to leave their work, their proper business; to go a Tipling, Idling, Gaming, Frolicking, &c. Such Tempters are the Missionaries of Hell; they are promoting Satan's Interest, and the ruin of Precious Souls. We justly condemn those, who Ald and Supply Public Enemies, Pirates, Robbers, and such as promote the Public damage. Surely then, we should be offended with those who tempt others to Vicious Practices; for they promote Treason and Rebellion against GOD: they promote the Devil's Interest, and the mine of Souls. Great shame and blame, belong to such Tempters to wickedness. If we should abominate Sin in Others, then those must needs be abominable who tempt Others to do wickedly.

  Great blame belongs,

• (3.) To those who connive at, and delight in the Sins of Others. Possibly some vill willingly wink and connive at, those Sins of Others, whether Children, Servants, or Neighbors; which they should fervently abhor and testify against. It may be they'll say little or nothing against them; take little or no pains to have the guilty resonned. Such connivance is abominable, hereby Persons become sharers and partners as it were, in Treason and Rebellion against GOD They connive at what's provoking to GOD, and should be abhorred and testify'd against by them. Civil Rulers should punish evil doers, (Rom. 13.3.4.) and put them to shame, (Judge. 18.7.) but if they connive at their grofs Crimes, and suffer em to go Unpunished; they so far become Partners in the guilt of them Ministers should Preach against Men's Notorious wickedness, and warn them to Repent and Reform; but if they are Dumb Dogs (Isai. 56.10.) and Dawb with untempered mortar, (Ezek. 13.10, 11.) and donit warn the wicked from their ways; then they become guilty of the blood of Souls, Ezek. 33.8. It's Indeed very dangerous to connive at the Notorious Sins of Others. nay some not only Connive at the Sins of Others, when they should zealously appear against them; but also take Pleasure and Delight in their accursed Crimes. They take Pleasure in wickedness, are delighted in those things whereby GOD is dishonored, the Devil gratifyed, the Precious Souls of Men unspeakably Injured, and the Public greatly endangered. This is an aggravated evil. How greatly are some pleased with the Profaneness, Drunkenness, Uncleanness, and various Sorts of Wickedness practiced by Others? It's mentioned as a high aggravation of wickedness in the Heathen; that they not only did those things which were worthy of death, but also had Pleasure in those that did them, Rum. 1.32.

  The last Inference is,

3. We should do what we can, to promote Holiness, in our Selves and Others. We should be a Peculiar People, zealous of good works (Tit. 2.14) Cleansing ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God, (2 Cor. 7.1.) being holy in all manner of Conversation, 1 Pet. 1.15 It's an Infinitely Great, Holy, All seeing, Jealous GOD, that is offended with Sin: He cannot be deceived, and He would not be mocked. Sin tends directly to our Temporal, Spiritual and Eternal damage. Rom. 6.23. The wages of sin is death. Rom. 2.8, 9. Unto them that are conrentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrightcousness; Indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish on every soul of man that doth evil. But Practical Godliness, is unspeakably profitable in this World and in the next. 1 Tim 4.8. Godliness is profitable unto all things; having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. Heb. 11 6 God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. We should therefore do om utmost to Promote Holiness in our Selves and Others. Mat. 5.8. The pure in heart shall see God. Heb. 12.14. Without holiness no man shall see the Lord. Isat. 3.10, 11. Say ye unto the righteous, that it shall be well with him; for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe unto the wicked, it shall go ill with him; for the reward of his hands shall be given him. Let us therefore be holy our Selves, and prompt Others by our examples to be so too. Mat. 5.16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Phil. 2.15. That ye may be blameless and harmless, the Sons of God without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse Nation, among whom ye shine as lighes in the world. I shall conclude with that awful Text, which refers to the Great and last DAY OF JUDGMENT. Mat. 25.46. And these (that is, the wicked) shall go away into Everlasting Punishment; but the Righteous into Life Eternal.