¹ Preached before the Society for Reformation of Manners, on Sunday, January 30, 1763, at the Chappel in West-street, Seven Dials.
PSALM xciv. 16.
_Who will rise up with me against the wicked?_
1. IN all ages, men who neither feared God nor regarded man, have combined together and formed confederacies, to carry on the works of darkness. And herein they have shewn themselves wise in their generation; for by this means they more effectually promoted the kingdom of their father, the devil, than otherwise they could have done. On the other hand, men who did fear God and desire the happiness of their fellow-creatures, have in every age found it needful to join together, in order to oppose the works of darkness, to spread the knowledge of God their Saviour, and to promote his kingdom upon earth. Indeed he himself has instructed them so to do. From the time that men were upon the earth, he hath taught them to join together in his service, and has united them in one body by one spirit. And for this very end he has joined them together, _that he might destroy the works of the devil_, first in them that are already united, and by them in all that are round about them.
2. This is the original design of the church of Christ. It is a body of men compacted together, in order first, to save each his own soul, then to assist each other in working out their salvation, and afterwards as far as in them lies, to save all men from present and future misery, to overturn the kingdom of Satan, and set up the kingdom of Christ. And this ought to be the continued care and endeavour of every member of his church. Otherwise he is not worthy to be called a member thereof, as he is not a living member of Christ.
3. Accordingly this ought to be the constant care and endeavour of all those, who are united together in these kingdoms, and are commonly called _The Church of England_. They are united together for this very end, to oppose the devil and all his works, and to wage war against the world and the flesh, his constant and faithful allies. But do they in fact answer the end of their union? Are all who stile themselves “members of the church of _England_” heartily engaged in opposing the works of the devil, and fighting against the world and the flesh? Alas, we cannot say this. So far from it, that a great part, I fear, the greater part of them, are themselves _the world_, the people that know not God, to any saving purpose: are indulging, day by day, instead of _mortifying the flesh, with its affections and desires_; and doing themselves those works of the devil, which they are peculiarly engaged to destroy.
4. There is therefore still need, even in this _Christian country_ (as we _courteously_ stile _Great Britain_) yea, in this _Christian church_ (if we may give that title to the bulk of our nation) of some to _rise up against the wicked_, and join together _against the evil-doers_. Nay, there was never more need than there is at this day, for _them that fear the Lord_, to _speak often together_, on this very head, how they may _lift up a standard against the iniquity_ which overflows the land. There is abundant cause for all the servants of God, to join together against the works of the devil, with united hearts and counsels and endeavours, to make a stand for God, and to repress, as much as in them lies, these _floods of ungodliness_.
5. For this end a few persons in _London_, towards the close of the last century, united together, and after awhile were termed, “The Society for Reformation of Manners.” And incredible good was done by them, for near forty years. But then most of the original members, being gone to their reward, those who succeeded them grew faint in their mind, and departed from the work. So that a few years ago the society ceased, nor did any of the kind remain in the kingdom.
6. It is a society of the same nature, which has been lately formed. I purpose to shew, first, The nature of their design, and the _steps_ they have hitherto taken; 2. The _excellency_ of it, with the various _objections_ which have been raised against it; 3. _What manner of men_ they ought to be, who engage in such a design; and 4. With what _spirit_ and in what _manner_ they should proceed in the prosecution of it. I shall conclude with an _application_ both to them, and to all that fear God.
I. 1. I am, first, to shew the _nature_ of their design and the _steps_ they have hitherto taken.