Useful instructions for a professing people in times of great security and degeneracy

2. Reform others that are under thy charge, as far as thou canst do thy best; say to thy Children, as Jacob to his sons, Put away every one from among you his strange gods; Joshua, you know, could undertake not only for himself, but for his too, I and my house will serve the Lord: be sure to reform them as to the outward man; you can indeed do no more, but be sure do that. Content not your selves to give them some slighty reproofs for their sins, that was Eli's sin, which removed his family from the Priesthood, but make use of that authority which God hath put into your hands, as occasion may require, and then commend the success to God.

2. Reform others that are under thy charge, as far as thou canst do thy best; say to thy Children, as Jacob to his sons, Put away every one from among you his strange gods; Joshua, you know, could undertake not onely for himself, but for his too, I and my house will serve the Lord: be sure to reform them as to the outward man; you can indeed do no more, but be sure do that. Content not your selves to give them some slighty reproofs for their sins, that was Eli's sin, which removed his family from the Priesthood, but make use of that authority which God hath put into your hands, as occasion may require, and then commend the success to God.

3. Pray to God that he would

(1) Give and continue an endeavour after Reformation to the Magistracy and Ministry, and give them an advantage, and encourage them in that Work Bless God in as much as you see their hearts towards the Work, beg of him that he would remove all obstacles and hindrances out of the way, that there may be a thorough and glorious Work of it. Oh be earnest with God for this, without it we have but little hopes to see any more good days.