Religious societies. Proposals for the revival of dying religion, by well ordered societies for…

THE Sinner Fights against Heaven, so long as he Sins against the GOD of Heaven. The Arms of his Rebellion are the Weapons of Unrighteousness. Now Repentance, this lays down those Arms of Rebellion; and like the Man in the Gospel, the Sinner seeing that he cannot grapple with the Almighty, and is not stronger than He, he humbles himself, and he desires Conditions of Peace. One Sin unrepented of will issue in the Confusion of the Soul. Had Zimri Peace, who slew his Master? So, Shall that Man have Peace, who transgresses the Law, and who tramples on the Authority of his Master, a Master that is his Maker too, and his GOD? He alone is at Peace with GOD, who is at War with Sin.

THE Third is, HOLINESS. An Holy Life. It is said, Prov. XVI. 7. When a Mans Ways please the Lord, his Enemies shall be at Peace with him. Yea, Now not only the Hosts of the Lord, but the Lord of Hosts Himself, will become his Friend; and his Exceeding great Reward. We read, Rom. VIII. 6. To be spiritually-minded is Peace. Yea, all the ways of Wisdom are paths of Peace; And at Last, Behold the upright man, for the End of that man is peace. Peace, is a silken Thread, strung through' the Actions of an Holy Life. Tho' without a Reliance on the Righteousness of our SAVIOUR ⟨p. 6⟩for our Acceptance with GOD, our most Splendid Services will give no other Peace, than that which will be like the Crackling of Thorns under a Pot, and they who warm themselves with the sparks of their own kindling must lie down in Sorrow: Alas, the Ragged and Sordid Garments of our own Righteousness, will never shelter our naked Souls from the Storms of Divine Vengeance; Yet I may say, The Peace of a Believer, arises not only from his Justification, but from his Sanctification also. Thus we see the Lord owning the Generation of them that seek Him, with many Soul quieting Dispensations of His Providence. The Light of GOD shines on the Tabernacle of the Godly Man. The preserving of his Garments undefiled, keeps him from the Horrors and Sorrowful Reflections of a Guilty Mind. And Lastly, A Good Days Work meets with a Good Evenings Wages. And he sees the Blessing which the Saints of GOD in the ancient Days highly Prized; Even, To go to the Grave in Peace. Of all this I may say, This is the Heritage of the Servants of the LORD.