in the World. The things now done to awaken our
Enquiries after our _provoking Evils_, and our endeavours to Reform
those Evils, are most _extraordinary_ things; for which cause I would
freely speak it, if we now do not some _extraordinary_ things in
returning to God; we are the most _incurable_, and I wish it be not
quickly said, the most _miserable_ People under the Sun. Believe me,
'tis a time for all people to do something _extraordinary, in searching
and trying of their ways, and in turning to the Lord_. It is at an
_extraordinary_ rate of _Circumspection_ and _Spiritual mindedness_,
that we should all now maintain a _walk with God_. At such a time as
this ought _Magistrates_ to do something _extraordinary_ in promoting of
what is laudable, and in restraining and chastising of _Evil Doers_. At
such a time as this ought _Ministers_ to do something _extraordinary_ in
pulling the Souls of men out of the _Snares_ of the Devil, not only by
publick Preaching, but by personal Visits and Counsels, _from house to
house_. At such a time as this ought _Churches_ to do something
_extraordinary_, in _renewing_ of their Covenants, and in _remembring_,
and _reviving_ the Obligations of what they have renewed. Some admirable
Designs about the _Reformation_ of Manners, have lately been on foot in
the English Nation, in pursuance of the most excellent Admonitions which
have been given for it, by the Letters of Their Majesties. Besides the
vigorous Agreements of the _Justices_ here and there in the Kingdom,
assisted by godly Gentlemen and Informers, to Execute the _Laws_ upon
prophane Offenders; there has been started a _Proposal_ for the
well-affected people in every Parish, to enter into orderly _Societies_,
whereof every Member shall bind himself, not only to _avoid_
Prophaneness in himself, but also according unto to their Place, to do
their utmost in first _Reproving_; and, if it must be so, then
_Exposing_, and so _Punishing_, as the Law directs, for others that
shall be guilty. It has been observed, that the English Nation has had
some of its greatest Successes, upon some special and signal _Actions_
this way; and a discouragement given under Legal Proceedings of this
kind, must needs be very exercising to the _Wise that observe these
things_. But, O why should not _New-England_ be the most forward part of
the English Nation in such _Reformations_? Methinks I hear the Lord from
Heaven saying over us, _O that my People had heark