A39678:76
The reasonableness of personal reformation, and the necessity of conversion
The reasonableness of personal reformation, and the necessity of conversion; the true methods of making all men happy in this world, and in the world to come Seasonably discoursed, and earnestly pressed upon this licentious age. By J.F. a sincere lover of his native country, and the souls of men.The reasonableness of personal reformation, and the necessity of conversion; the true methods of making all men happy in this world, and in the world to come Seasonably discoursed, and earnestly pressed upon this licentious age. By J.F. a sincere lover of his native countrey, and the souls of men.
London: printed for Thomas Cockerill, 1691
THE REASONABLENESS OF Personal Reformation, › Chapter 1 › Section 10
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
SECT. X.
And then for the Community to which they belong, how dangerous, yea, how destructive such persons are to it, cannot possibly be hid from any wise and serious observer. For if one Sinner destroys much good, if one Achan trouble the whole Camp of Israel, how much more will whole swarms and droves of drunkards, blasphemers and adulterers, as now fill every place, pull down the judgments of God upon those States and Kingdoms wherein they breathe? If our fears and dangers were greater than they are, yet Reformation might save us: Jer. 5. 1. Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, (i. e. a public man, a man in authority) if there be any •hat executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth, and I will pardon it. And if our hopes and confidences were much higher than they are, yet unre••ained sin would undo us. Kingdoms and Commonwealths are not so much endangered by the powers and policies of their enemies without them, •s they are by the unreformedness of profligate wretches within the amongst them. Reformation quickly recovers the Ancient Glory of Kingdoms, and makes them the terror of their Enemies.
And then for the Community to which they belong, how dangerous, yea, how destructive such persons are to it, cannot possibly be hid from any wise and serious observer. For if one Sinner destroys much good, if one Achan trouble the whole Camp of Israel, how much more will whole swarms and droves of drunkards, blasphemers and adulterers, as now fill every place, pull down the judgments of God upon those States and Kingdoms wherein they breathe? If our fears and dangers were greater than they are, yet Reformation might save us: Jer. 5. 1. Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, (i. e. a publick man, a man in authority) if there be any hat executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth, and I will pardon it. And if our hopes and confidences were much higher than they are, yet unreained sin would undo us. Kingdoms and Commonwealths are not so much endangered by the powrs and policies of their enemies without them, s they are by the unreformedness of profligate wretches within the amongst them. Reformation quickly recovers the Ancient Glory of Kingdoms, and makes them the terror of their Enemies.