A39678:82
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 11
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. XI.
This most desirable recovery and reformation of profane debauched persons, is not simply and absolutely impossible: And if Magistrates and Ministers were every where exemplary themselves for sobriety and piety, zealous and impartial in the discharge of their respective Duties, a general Reformation would not be difficult. But when those, whose Office it is to suppress wickedness, shall associate themselves with lewd and profligate persons, and vie with them in their profane courses, or discourage more conscientious persons in the discharge of their Duties; this makes Reformation morally impossible.
This most desirable recovery and reformation of prophane debauched persons, is not simply and absolutely impossible: And if Magistrates and Ministers were every where exemplary themselves for sobriety and piety, zealous and impartial in the discharge of their respective Duties, a general Reformation would not be difficult. But when those, whose Office it is to suppress wickedness, shall associate themselves with leud and profligate persons, and vye with them in their prophane courses, or discourage more consciencious persons in the discharge of their Duties; this makes Reformation morally impossible.
If Profaneness were once found the general Odium of the people, and a bar to all Preferments, it might be hoped things would quickly alter for the better. 'Twas an ancient custom among the Heathens (as Learned and Excellent Mr. Hale of Eaton, out of Chrysostom observes) that if a man offered himself to contend in the Olympic-Games, he was not permitted so to do, till Proclamation had been first made, whether any man knew him to be either a Servant, or a man of infamous Life; and if any such Imputation were proved against him, it was sufficient to keep him back, let his skill be what it would.