The rulers, both in church and state, had their serious deliberations wit one another, and they together "enquired of the Lord," as the oracle o his written word, what might be the grounds of the divine-controversi The ministers drew up the results of their deliberations, which the magi trates recommended unto the consideration of the inhabitants in th several jurisdictions. The pastors of the churches, hence took occasion, i their lively sermons, to prosecute the ends of these admonitions; and som of them reduced their instructions into a catechetical method, that so th young people in their congregations might echo back, upon fit questions those things which were needful to be known and to be done, relating t the reformation of the land. Thus, particularly, did that most worth man, Mr. James Fitch, at Norwich; who has obliged more than his whol colony, by suffering to be published, (as well as another elaborate cate chism, containing, "a body of divinity,") in form of a catechism, "4 Explanation of the Solemn Advice, recommended by the Council of the Colon to the Inhabitants, respecting the Reformation of those Evils, which have bee the Procuring Cause of the late Judgments upon New-England."

§ 4. Our manifold indispositions to recover the dying "power of godl ness," was punished with successive calamities; under all of which ou apostacies from that godliness have rather proceeded than abated. Althoug there hath been a glorious profession of religion made by the body of th people unto this day; yea, and although there be thousands which b "keeping their hearts with all diligence," and by "ordering their conve sations aright," justifie their profession, yet the number of them that s strictly "walk with God," has been wofully decaying. The old spirit o New-England hath been sensibly going out of the world, as the old sain in whom it was have gone; and instead thereof the spirit of the world, wit a lamentable neglect of strict piety, has crept in upon the rising generation At last the country, by some changes passing over it, was thrown into condition, in which not only the pastors, without whom no reformation: to be hoped, were miserably cripled as to the doing of any notable thing i reforming, but also the churches were many ways uncapable of doing an general thing to retrieve our growing defections. However, when the com passion of God, by strange providences, fetched the country out of the condition, the General Court, returning to the exercise of their form authority, were willing to shew their sense of the present circumstance by publishing the following instrument:

"BY THE GOVERNOUR AND GENERAL COURT OF THE COLONY OF THE

MASSACHUSETTS-BAY IN NEW-ENGLAND.

"IT having been a thing too sensible and obvious to escape the observation of all who not wholly strangers in our Israel, that this poor land hath laboured under a long series afflictions, and calamities, whereby we have suffered successively in all our precious pleasant things, and have seen the anger of the righteous God against us, expressed in ch acters which ought to be as terrible as they must needs be visible unto us; it having

by the testimonies of those that, after the most humble and exact enquiries into the I of God, have discovered the same unto us, and, by their own general and repeated essions, become undeniable: that a corruption of manners, attended with inexcusable neracies and apostacies, found in too many of his people, is the cause of that controversie, à the God of our fathers has for many years been maintaining with us: It being likeat this day such a probation-time with all New-England as the country has never before from the first foundation of it, and the judgments of that Holy God, who hath beheld incorrigible we have hitherto been, under all his dispensations, now arriving to such an emity, that the 'ax is laid to the root of the trees,' and we are in eminent danger of perishif a speedy REFORMATION of our provoking evils prevent it not: This Court have therefore ght it needful to preface their other endeavours for the publick welfare with a very solemn nition unto this whole people, that they every where give demonstrations of a thorough tance, without which we have little reason to hope for any good success in our affairs. Wherefore, it is ordered that the laws of this colony against vice, and all sorts of debauch nd profaneness (which laws have too much lost their edge by the late interruption of the mment) be now faithfully and vigorously put in execution; particularly the laws ist blasphemy, cursing, prophane-swearing, lying, unlawful-gaming, Sabbath-breaking, ess, drunkenness, uncleanness, and all the enticements and nurseries of such impieties: ther with all other the wholsome laws and orders agreeable to the present circumstances e country; by the execution whereof we may approve our selves, 'a peculiar people, us of good works.'

And as all persons are hereby warned to avoid those vices, which these laws are designed le prevention and chastisement of, (the lovers of and pleaders for such iniquities being g the principal troublers of their country,) so all inferiour officers are enjoined to pertheir duty in finding and bringing out offenders against the aforesaid laws, and withal to notice to such offenders that they must expect the justice of an exemplary punishment. ind that no attempt towards reformation may want that assistance which all good men be willing to give thereunto, 'tis hoped that the ministers of God will, to the publick ng of this proclamation, adjoin their own fervent labours, not only for the rebuking and ressing of those 'provoking evils,' which are marked for common hatred, but also to witagainst more spiritual sins, which fall not so much under the cognizance of humane ; namely, such as unbelief, worldliness, heresie, pride, wrath, strife, envy, and neglect mmunion with God in both natural and instituted worship, and the contempt of the asting gospel, with a shameful want of due family-instruction, which are the 'roots of ness' in the midst of us.

foreover, after the example of pious rulers commended in the sacred writ, the churches very where hereby advised to give utmost encouragement unto the faithful, and watchastors of their souls; to seek (where they lack) a full settlement and enjoyment of officers as the Lord Jesus Christ hath appointed for their edification; to reflect seriously requently on their covenants; to sharpen their discipline against those that 'walk disly;' and immediately to compose their differences and contentions (if such there be) eby any of them may be distempered and enfeebled, that so they may become 'terrible army with banners.'

urthermore, it is expected that the several towns within this jurisdiction do speedily sh themselves with the means for the good education of youth, and take special care to factions and quarrels in their other town affairs; and all plantations are strictly forn to continue without the advantages of having the word of God constantly preached them, or without a sincere and active industry to obtain the presence of the Lord Christ in all his blessed ordinances.

And finally, this whole people are hereby advertised, that if these essays for an uniI reformation shall be obstructed (as those in the days of the reforming Josiah were) en's being 'settled on their lees, and hating to be reformed;' they can reasonably look ⚫ other issue than this, that the jealous God' will punish them yet seven times more for

their iniquities.' But if the God of heaven shall grant unto them the grace to 'remembe whence they are fallen, and repent, and do the first works,' it will give a greater prospect of prosperity, than can arise from the best counsels and biggest armies.

"The work of reformation, thus endeavoured, is now recommended unto the blessing of the Almighty, with whom alone it is to recover a backsliding people; persuading our selves the the event thereof would be 'salvation nigh unto us, and glory dwelling in our Lord.' "March 13, 1689." "ISAAC ADDINGTON, Secr.

§ 5. The lamentable disasters, wherewith our God presently after pun ished us for our not being "reformed by all these things," rendred thi instrument worthy to be called a prophesie, rather than a proclamation A war made against the country by both Pagan and Popish adversarie in the East; and an almost universal miscarriage of our affairs both by se and land, and especially of the most important expedition ever made by this people, even that against Canada; together with epidemical disease which swept away near a thousand persons within a few months, in o town; these testimonies from Heaven against the land, kept alive the so citous enquiries of good men, "how all that was amiss might be amended. Many things this way were propounded and attended by good men in a orders; but, among other things, there was especially one voted by a assembly of ministers, met at Cambridge, in such terms as these: "WHEREAS the most heavy and wasting judgments of Heaven upon our distressed land, loudl call upon us no longer to delay the taking of some hitherto-untaken steps towards the re mation of our 'provoking evils,' and the recovery of practical religion in our hearts and live "Among other expedients, in order hereunto, we cannot but recommend it, as very ad sable, that the several churches, having, in an instrument proper for that purpose, midcatalogue of such things as can indisputably be found amiss among them, do with all se ousness and solemnity pass their votes that they count such things to be very offensive en and that, renouncing all dependence upon their own strength to avoid such evils, they hon bly ask the help of the Divine Grace to assist them in watching against the said evils, bo in themselves and in one another. And that the communicants do often reflect upon the their acknowledgments and protestations, as perpetual monitors unto them, to prevent t miscarriages wherewith too many professors are so easily overtaken."

Copies of this vote were communicated unto many parts of the country in pursuance whereof, there were several churches which did in the ye 1692 solemnly make the recommended recognitions of duty: hoping the God would accept such acknowledgments of duty, their declarations fo him, whereupon he would also declare for them; and thinking that su humble acknowledgments were the new-covenant-way for the obtaining help from Heaven for the doing of duty. Particularly, to avoid the leng of tedious varieties, there was one church, among the rest, that voted the they did accept of the following instrument, as containing the serious knowledgments and protestations of their souls; whereupon they would oft reflect, for the discovering of what may be amiss in their hearts and live as, also, for the directing of the prayers, and strengthening of the cares, whic they would use in their more watchful walk with God. And a printe copy thereof was accordingly put into the hands of the communicants:

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND PROTESTATIONS voted, as exPLAINING THE OBLIGATIONS LAID UPON US BY OUR MOST HOLY COVENANT.

WE, that through the goodness of God have been combined, and are still continued a church of his, having heretofore consented unto the COVENANT of GRACE, according to the gracious terms whereof, we have made choice of the Lord Jehovah, Father, Son and Spirit, as our God, and of our Lord Jesus Christ, as the glorious Mediator, upon whose fulness of merit and power we rely, as well to be strengthened for the duties, as to be invested with the lessings, of that well-ordered covenant; and have, therefore, according to his will, incorporated our selves into that evangelical church-state, wherein our desires after the 'sure mercies of that covenant' are to be expressed, maintained and answered: being herewithal sensible, that our justification, only by faith in the righteousness of him who is a Saviour and a surety does very strongly oblige us to close with all the commandments of God, as holy, and jast, and good; and as those rules, in conformity to which alone our peace can be lengthened out, and, being also awakened by the most heavy judgments of Heaven, under which the country hath been weltering and wasting for many later years, to suspect, lest in the hearts and lives of us in particular, there may be found some of those accursed things which have baght upon the land such a long variety of sore calamity;

"Do therefore acknowledge, that we are under peculiar bonds to 'walk circumspectly,' not only by avoiding the 'grosser miscarriages' of ungodliness, but also by guarding against whatever corruptions do sometimes more easily obtain among the professing people of God; behaving var selves, 'not as fools but as wise,' and 'redeeming the time, because the days are evil.' “And in special manner to revive the sense of the tyes which are laid upon us by the covenant of God, that has not only been accepted, but also renewed amongst us—

*L. We acknowledge it would be a great evil in us, if our love to the world should make us omit our commira with God, and abate of that zeal and watch, which we should always keep alive in our souls; or binder us Can the most affectionate reading of his word, and seeking of his face, every day in our houses, or from the daily use of meditation and supplication in our closets.

-IL It would be a great evil in us, if, while on the one hand we protest against any thing in divine worship, fr which we have not a divine warrant, and against the usage of all Papal and Pagan superstitions; on the other s we should not, according to the best of our capacities attend and support the institutions of God, in the midst of us, with endeavours that there may be nothing wanting thereunto.

*III. It would be a great evil in us, if, when we draw near to God in his ordinances, we should allow our Bees to be formal, carnal, or sleepy in what we do; especially, if we should ordinarily come to the table of the Led, without serious examinations and humiliations preparatory thereunto; or if, in managing of church discipline, We should vent our own passions, and serve our own humours, instead of acting entirely for the Lord.

"V. It would be a great evil in us, if we should abuse the good creatures of God by sensualities in eating, trasing, and recreation; or by extravagancies in our apparel; and if, whenever we use the titles, and the Scriphare of our God, it should not be with much reverence in our souls.

*V. It would be a great evil in us, if we should not keep a strict guard both on our own thoughts, as well as ris and works, on the Lord's day, and also on all that are under our influence, to restrain them from the violaBe of that sacred rest.

*VI. It would be a great evil in us, if we should not make it our careful study to have our families well cted, and well governed, and in such a condition as is agreeable to the fear of God.

*VIL. It would be a great evil in us, if, by the prevalency of a private spirit, we should be backward unto any service wherein God shall call us, with our persons or estates to serve our generation; or if we should, with ja neglect and censure, ill requite such as have been serviceable; more especially such as in government are ministers of God unto us for our good.'

*Vill. It would be a great evil in us, if we should put off a patient, peaceable, forgiving temper towards our wighbours; or not with 'meekness of wisdom' decline and smother all causes of contention.

"IX. It would be a great evil in us, if we should spend our days in idleness, and not be diligent in such mployments as may adorn the doctrine of God,' by rendering us useful unto those that are round about us.

-X. It would be a great evil in us, if we should in any of our carriage, or so much as in our discourse, admit By thing that may savour of a lascivious or a licentious disposition in our souls.

"XL It would be a great evil in us, if we should use any dishonesty in our dealings, and, either by fraud or farte, exact unreasonably upon those with whom we are concerned.

XII. It would be a great evil in us, maliciously to make or injuriously to spread any FALSE REPORTS, or too to receive slanders against the innocent, or to countenance the broachers of them.

*XIII. It would be a great evil in us, if we should not conscientiously observe and fulfil what promises we bare Lawfully given one unto another.

*XIV. It would be a great evil in us, to be discontented either at the prosperity which God would have others joy, or at the adversity wherein the providence of God has at any time confined our selves.

VOL. II.-22

"XV. It would be a great evil in us, if we should not be ready charitably and liberally to relieve the necessi ties of the poor that call for our bounties.

"XVI. It would be a great evil in us, if we should not with a most brotherly affection either give or tak reproofs, when there is a cause for them; or if we should with-hold any due testimony against whatever may fal out among us displeasing unto God.

"Wherefore, by a solemn VOTE, we declare against all these evils, as abominable things and, utterly despairing of any strength in our selves to keep clear thereof, we do most hum bly ask the all-sufficient grace of God in Christ, that neither these, nor any such iniquities may have 'dominion over us;' but that we watch against them all, both in our selves and in one another."

§ 6. Many and various are the deliberations continued by good men unto this day, concerning the methods of preventing our apostacies. Bu I shall supersede the mention of them all, with a copy of certain expedient: and proposals about reformation lately agreed by an assembly of minister at Cambridge;

“I. There is a large number of people in this country, which, not lying within the reach of our ecclesiastical discipline, do from thence encourage themselves in the liberty which they take to do things for which the wrath of God comes upon the land. It would very much promote the design of reformation among us, if all due means were used for the bringing of more than there are, and as many as may be, to submit unto the church-watch 'twere highly desirable that the body of this professing people should thus be brought into the way of reformation. It hath been by an happy experience found that God has given a singula success unto the admonitions of our churches, applied unto such as have by their miscar riages thereto exposed themselves; many have been thereby savingly brought home to God "II. The expedients for the reformation of our land, offered by the synod in the year ought not to be forgotten; but the remembrance and consideration thereof should be revived "III. The concurrence of such as do sustain place in the civil government, is of grea importance in the prosecution of our desired reformation: and that we may enjoy this, i must be endeavoured that there should be no misunderstanding between any in the govern ment and the ministry. This being observed, a general consultation upon the methods of reformation is to be asked for.

1679

"IV. For the pastors of our churches, in visiting their flocks, to inform themselves abou the morals of their people in every quarter, and thereupon both publickly and privatel set themselves to cure what shall be found amiss, would signifie very much in a gloriou reformation.

“V. Particular churches have a power of self-reformation; and they would contribute mor than a little to an universal one, if they would be exemplary unto one another in deliberation upon their own circumstances, and in renewing, explaining and enforcing of their covenants. "VI. It would be well if the ministers in this (as well as any other) association woul single out the more observable iniquities in the country, and successively at fit seasons put lish brief, but full testimonies against those iniquities. A manifold advantage might accru to the attempts of reformation by those testimonies.

"VII. Solemn days of prayer with fasting celebrated in our churches, to implore th grace of God for the rising generation, would probably be of blessed consequence for th turning of our young people unto the God of our fathers. The more there is this wa ascribed unto grace, the more is the grace of God like to be communicated; and there is i this way a natural and plentiful tendency to awken our unconverted youth unto a sense o their everlasting interests. Which, were it generally accomplished, a marvellous reforms tion were therein effected."

FINIS.