LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 175 



(to which I am told several bishops have given 

 their countenance,) and that lately set up at 

 Nottingham. 



** The principal end for which these societies 

 formed in London, was to promote piety and 

 devotion and all christian virtues and graces 

 among their owfi 7nembers; and the meddling with 

 others who were not of the society was not 

 thought on till of late, and still it is but a 

 secondary end. Whereas the whole business and 

 design of founding this society at Nottingham 

 (as far as I can judge by the orders and rules of 

 their constitution) is to reform others, that are 

 not of the society, by getting the laws to be 

 put in execution against them. But as for the 

 reforming themselves, or the improving one 

 another in holy christian living, there is little 

 provision made. I must confess I think it is of 

 a great deal more consequence, both to a man's 

 self, and to the public, that he use all means 

 possible, to be devout, humble, charitable, and 

 (in a word) in all things to live like a christian 

 himself, than to be zealous in informing against 

 others who do not live like christians. The first 

 is of certain benefit, both to a man's self and 

 others; but the other mav be often both in- 

 discreet and vexatious. 



I do not deny that this design of theirs to 

 have the laws put in execution against profane- 



