OCCASIONAL PAPER. VOL. II. NUM B. X. ΑΝ ADDRESS To The CLERGY In Relation to the SOCIETIES FOR Reformation of Manners, The Scandal brought upon Religion, as it was not contracted by the Irregularities of One or Two Perfons, but by affociated and common Crimes; fo neither will it be removed by a few fingle and pri vate Reformations. There must be Combinations and Publick Confederacies in Vertue; to ballance and counterpoife thofe of Vice; or she will never recover that Honour which he acquired by the General Piety of her Profeffors. Caufes of the Decay of Piety; By the Author of the Whole Duty of Man. LONDON: Printed for JAMES KNAPTON, at the Crown in St. Paul's Church-yard; J. ROBERTS, in WarwickLane, J. HARRISON, under the Royal Exchange ; and A. DODD, without Temple Bar. MDCCXVII. Price Three Pence. ΑΝ ADDRESS TO THE CLERGY In Relation to the SOCIETIES for REFORMATION of MANNERS. T HE ufual Limits of this Paper not allowing me to proceed on the last Subject, I fhall now addrefs my felf to the Clergy, as I did before to the Magiftrate, earnestly requefting that Reverend Body, that they would more generally and heartily own and affift the Societies for Reformation of Manners. I hope the Prefumption of being their Monitor, tho? with Deference and Refpect, will be pardon'd to the Zeal for the Honour of their Order, and the Welfare of the Societies; as the former has met with particular Favour and Regard. I think it has already fufficiently appear'd, that Societies are necessary to carry on fuch an Undertaking A 2 1 Undertaking as that of Reforminga vitious Age. L I know there are fome, who would not be thought to be against the Reformation it felf, who yet fpeak against the Prefent Societies: But it were to be wifh'd, fuch Perfons would propofe fome better Model, or produce fome new Expedients, and fhew more proper Methods of Proceeding, than those which are now purfu'd. If they cannot do this, 'tis no Injustice to fuppofe, That they who talk against the Prefent Societies, let their Pretenfions be what they will, are against Reformation it felf. For my own Part, I must confefs it appears very plain and rational, That thofe Men fhould be esteem'd and valu'd as most Serviceable to the Defign of Reforming our City and Nation, who have known all the Steps taken from the Beginning of fuch a Work; who are are acquainted by Experience with the best Methods of Difcovering, Convicting, and Punishing the vitious Part of the World; and who have fhewn their Sincerity and prevailing Concern for publick Morality, when it has been to their own Coft, and in fpight of the greatest Hatred and Oppofition. And whoever is acquainted with the Spirit and Temper of thefe Societies, would easily be fenfible, that they would be far from taking it amifs to have any Miftakes laid before them, or have further Counfel and Advice offer'd, where they are thought in the Wrong, or any shall appear concern'd to fet them Right. There is one Thing would be highly pleafing to them, and would very much tend to take the Work out of their Hands; and that is, "If the Clergy would more frequently confult with one another for the Good of "Religion;" 'Tis the Archbishop of Canterbury's Advice in a Circular Letter in 1699. "And that the Clergy in their feveral Parishes "fhould invite the Church-Wardens, and "other pious Perfons among the Laity, to "joyn with them in the Execution of the "moft probable Methods to break any evil "Cuftom. These Parish Meetings are to be "directed and animated by that noble Zeal "wherewith so many in these great Cities do promote true Piety and Reformation of "Manners. " દ And if in thofe Meetings any thing fhould occur which requir'd further Skill and Experience, or more Strength, for the right and successful Management of it; it should be esteem'd a great Advantage to have recourse to 1 |