154 REFORMATION or MANNERS, of nature under the shining revelations of grace I In vain have we been famed for light and knowledge, in vain for piety and experimental godliness, in the days of our fathers ; 'but now we grow a by-word among the nations, and an im- pure proverb : He swears like a Briton, he is as drunk as an Englishman, as lewd and profane as a Londoner : Surely it will not be very grateful toour ears, if such odious forms of speech should arise in neighbour-kingdoms. Righteousness indeed exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people ; Prov. xiv. 34. V. Not reproaches only will attend us, but real and multi- plied mischiefs will afflict our civil interest, public and private. Thepublic affairs of a nation must suffer certain detriment where wickedness roves loose and unrestrained: If the flood-gates of sin are opened, confusion will rush into the government like a deluge. Men that break the bonds of natural religion . and of morality without controul, will grow lawless and ungovernable : When the yoke of a God and of natural conscience is shaken off publicly, the gentlest yoke of man will not long be endured ; they will stand at defiance with the best of governments, they are fit tinder to receive every spark of ambition, they are ready for insurrection and public tumult : It is not religion, but wild enthusiasm or immorality, that sow the seeds of treason, and turn subjects into rebels. If I might address any of the inferior governors of the nation, I would say, are you willing that your authority shouldbe mocked, end your forms of power and justice be made a laughing-stock ? Are you willing that your seats Of judgment should be insulted and thrown down? If not, see that you maintain them, by pronouncing sentence upon the wicked, and take card that it be executed ; let it be done with speed, lest the contagion of vice spread amongst numbers, and grow too mighty to be subdued : Wickedness burns as the fire, and sometimes it flies suddenly through a community, as a flame-through the trees of the forest, or through the buildings ofa city,if timely care be not taken to extinguish it ; it spreads like a young gangrene, if the limb,affected be not cut Off, the vital powers will quickly be'too weak to resist the growing mis' chief. Let justice be exercised toward bold transgressors, for justice sometimes preseeces the king as well as mercy and truth ; and though his throne is said to be upholden by mercy, yet a wie king scattereth the wicked, and'bringeth the wheel over then;' Prov. xx. 26-2S. Private families and particular persons will very sensibly suffer in their health, in their estates, and in other comforts of life, if iniquity abound. Whoredom, wine, and new wine take Away the heart ; Ilos. iv. 11. that is, waste the understanding of
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