In the late King's Proclamation against Vicious, Debauched and Prophane Persons, &c. Dated May the 30th 1660. in the Twelfth Year of his Reign, are these Remarkable Passages following.
There is a sort of Men, of whom We are sufficiently ashamed, who spend their time in Taverns, Tippling-Houses, and Debaucheries, giving no other Evidence of their Affection to us, but in Drinking Our Health, and inveighing against all others, who are not of their own dissolute temper, and who in Truth have more discredited our Cause, by the Licentiousness of their Manners and Lives, than they could ever advance it by their Affection and Courage— We reasonably hope, these Men will cordially renounce all that Licenciousness, Prophaneness and Impiety, with which they have been corrupted, and endeavoured to corrupt others; and that they will hereafter become Examples of Sobriety and Virtue— We will not exercise just severity against any Malefactors, sooner than against Men of Dissolute, Debauched and Prophane Lives, with what parts soever they may be otherwise qualified and endowed.— And we hope, all Persons of Honour, or in Place and Authority, will so far assist Ʋs in discountenancing such Men, that their Discretion and Shame will persuade them to Reform, what their Consciences would not.—Which may by the Example and Severity of Ver∣tuous Men be easily discountenanced, and by degrees suppressed.
However for the more effectual reforming these Men, who are a discredit to the Nation, and unto any Cause they pretend to favour and to wish well to; We require all Mayors and Sheriffs, and Justices of the Peace, to be very vigilant and strict in the Discovery and Prosecution of all Dissolute and Prophane Swearing and Cursing.
This was Re¦inforced by a Second Proclamation of the King, the 13th of August, 1660. Charging all Ministers to read it once each Month, for six Months ensuing, and stir up their Auditors to observe the said Duties, and avoid the said Vices.
Also in the Late Proclamation by the King and Queen, against ••••c¦••••••, Debauched and Prophane Persons, Given at White-Hall the 21st of January, 1691/2.
BEcause that Impiety and Vice do still abound in this Kingdom, the King and Queen De∣clare (as bound in Duty to God, and Care for the People.) Thus, viz. We have thought fit to Issue this our Royal Proclamation: And do declare our Princely Intention and Resolution, To Discountenance all manner of Vice and Immorality in all Persons, from the Highest to the Lowest Degree, in this our Realm; And We do hereby for that purpose straightly Require, Charge and Command all and singular our Judges, Mayors, Sheriffs, Justices of the Peace, and all other our Officers, &c. in their respective Stations, to Execute the Laws against Blasphemy, Prophane Swearing, Drunkenness, Lewdness, Prophanation of the Lord's Day or any o∣ther Dissolute, Immoral or Disorderly Practices, as they will answer it to Almighty God, and upon Pain of our Highest Displeasure.
ANd at the General Quarter Sessions of the Peace, held for the County of Middlesex at Hicks's-Hall, the 10th Day of July, 1691. An Order was thence Issued out Pursuant to the Queens Letter, bearing Date the 9th of July aforesaid, recommending unto the Justices the putting in Execution those Laws, which have been made, and are still in Force, against the Prophanation of the Lord's Day, Drunkenness, Prophane Swearing, and Cursing, and all other Lewd Enormous and Disor∣derly Practices, which have spread to the Dishonour of God, and the Scandal of our Holy Reli∣gion; and to apply themselves with all possible Care for the Suppressing of the same, and all other Sins and Vices, particularly those which are now prevailing in this Realm, for preventing those Iudgments, which are solemnly Denounced against the Sins abovementioned. And in Com∣pliance with the said Letter from the Queen, the said Justices unanimously Resolved and Declared, that they would put all the Laws in Execution against Prophane Swearing, and Cursing, and also against the odious and loathsom Sin of Drunkenness, and against all Houses of Debauche∣ry, and Evil-Fame, being Vices hateful to God and all Good Men [as they also Declare.]
ALso the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen for the City of London, gave out an Order the 6th. Day of August, 1691.
Wherein they take into their serious Consideration, the great Prophanation of the Lords Day, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 too common Practice of Cursing and Swearing, Excess of Drinking, and the Impudent comnitting of Lewdness and Debauchery, and the late Increase of these Vices, and Enormi∣ties; and as being sensible, that the severe Iudgments of God have usually faln upon Nations and Cities persisting in such Impieties. Do therefore require all Persons intrusted with the Offices of Magistracy and Administration of Justice within the said City and Liberties thereof, impartially to Execute their several and respective Authorities to suppress and prevent the aforesaid Scandalous Ofences and Impieties, by punishing the Offenders therein, as the Laws and Statutes of this Realm ha••e provided, with Directions thereunto severally.
ANd Anno Sexto & Septimo Guilielmi Textii Regis: There is a Penal Act of Parliament made and Entituled.
In Act for the more effectual suppressing Prophane Cursing, and Swearing: wherein Pophane Swearing and Cursing are called detestable Sins, and therefore ordered to be pu∣nis••ed by certain Fines, and corporal Punishments.
LEt all consider Israel of old, who when they forgot God (who had wrought mighty Deliverances for them) how they ran in Feasting, Dancing and Idolatry; as it is written, They sate down to Eat and Drink, and rose up to Play, and Danced about the Golden Calf, which they had set up. But it was a dismal Da••e unto them; for several Thousands of them were destroyed in one day, Exod. 32.6, 19, 27. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••nd every one that Sweareth, shall be cut off, &c. Zach. 5.3.
〈◊〉〈◊〉 Swearing, and Lying, and Killing, and Stealing, and committing Adultery, they break out, and Blood toucheth Blood, Hoseae 4.2.
••nd if the Righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the Ungodly and the sinner appear? 1 Pet. 4.18.