154 REFORMATION Or MAÌIÁERS, a reformer ; the Gentiles had wofully darkened and lost the light of nature; and the Jews wretchedly corrupted the law of God, when he came into the world : His business was to restore reli- gion, to destroy the works of the devil, and repair the ruins of mankind: This was his blessed errand and design; yet whereso. ever he went, slander with all her tongues stood ready to assault him ; he was abbsed with the odious names of a glutton and a refine bibber: His own nation cry out'against him, He bath a de- vil and is mad; John x. 20. Are ye not willing to follow so glorious a leader through honour and dishonour, through good report and bad report, especially when he employs you in his own work too ? " Consider him who endured the contradiction of sinners against himselfand despised the shame, as well as en- dured the cross, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds lieb. xii.'2, 3. And consider that most encouraging discourse which ye have heard on this text. The prophets, the apostles, the martyrs and confessors have even been the reformersof the age inwhich they lived : And arewe ashamed to have our names inserted in this noble catalogue ? The reformers of doctrine since the days of popery are mentioned with everlasting honour; and why should a reformer of lives and manners be r^ckoned a scandalous, title ? But let us examine these scandals a little more particularly, that by discovering the injustice, the Mimi. deuce and falsehood that is mingled with them, you may learn to despise.themall. They say, Ye are busy-bodies, it is the magistrate's place to- punish vice ; it is his work to put the laws in execution, and not yours. Answer them, that ye are but assistants to the magis- trate in that work : and all her majesty's subjects are required to assist persons in authority in the discharge.of theiroffice. How could a magistrate punish sin, or execute the penalties of the law, if no criminals were found out, and seized and brought before him ? It becomes therefore every good subject of the queen, every lover of his country, and every servant of the living God, to lend his hand to this work : You are not called to the uncharitable and antichristian task of afflicting tender consciences for different sentiments in religion. Prince and people are well agreed that violence is not the true method of promoting the gospel of peace. Conscience is not so much as pretended by the sinners which you prosecute, they are common nuisances, and the reformation of them is.a public benefit to mankind. 2. They cry outupon you as severe and cruel, and uncom- passionáte ; that you deal hardlywith your neighbours,'by bring- ing them to public justice. Here I am bold to answer for you, that it isuneasy and self-denying work, and that you had rather be employed in propagating virtue by milder methods, if they
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