A sermon preach'd at St. Mildred's Poultrey, January 3. 1696/7 By John Lord Bishop of Chichester, and late rector of the said church, upon his leaving that parish.
         Williams, John, 1636?-1709.
      
       
         
           1697
        
      
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             A sermon preach'd at St. Mildred's Poultrey, January 3. 1696/7 By John Lord Bishop of Chichester, and late rector of the said church, upon his leaving that parish.
             Williams, John, 1636?-1709.
          
           [4], 28 p.
           
             printed for Tho. Parkhurst, at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside, near Mercers Chappel, and Ralph Smith, at the Bible on the south-side of the Royal Exchange,
             London :
             M DC XC VII. [1697]
          
           
             Stained.
             Reproduction of the original in the British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Sermons, English -- 17th century.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           SERMON
           PREACH'D
           AT
           St.
           
             Mildred's
             Poultrey
             ,
             JANUARY
             3.
             
             1696-7
             .
          
           BY
           JOHN
           Lord-Bishop
           of
           CHICHESTER
           ,
           And
           Late
           RECTOR
           of
           the
           said
           Church
           ,
           Upon
           his
           Leaving
           that
           PARISH
           .
        
         
           
             LONDON
             :
          
           Printed
           for
           
             Tho.
             Parkhurst
             ,
          
           at
           the
           
             Bible
          
           and
           
             Three
             Crowns
          
           in
           
             Cheapside
             ,
          
           near
           
             Mercers
             Chappel
             .
          
           And
           〈…〉
           at
           the
           
             Bible
          
           on
           the
           
             South-side
          
           of
           the
           
             Royal
             Exchange
             .
          
           MDCXCVII
           .
        
      
       
         
         
         
           To
           His
           Loving
           Friends
           ,
           the
           Parishioners
           of
           St.
           Mildred's
           Poultrey
           ,
           and
           St.
           Mary
           Cole-Church
           .
        
         
           HAVING
           in
           the
           following
           Sermon
           prevented
           my self
           of
           what
           might
           otherwise
           be
           the
           fit
           Matter
           of
           such
           an
           Epistle
           ;
           I
           have
           no
           more
           to
           say
           ,
           than
           to
           recommend
           it
           to
           your
           serious
           Perusal
           ;
           and
           to
           desire
           you
           to
           Accept
           of
           it
           as
           a
           Testimony
           of
           that
           unfeigned
           Love
           I
           have
           for
           you
           ,
           and
           shall
           be
           ready
           always
           to
           express
           ,
           in
           our
           common
           Saviour
           Jesus
           Christ
           ;
           to
           whose
           Grace
           I
           Commend
           you
           .
           I
           am
           ,
        
         
           
             Your
             Faithful
             and
             Affectionate
             Servant
             JOHN
             CHICHESTER
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           
             HEB.
             XIII
             .
             20
             ,
             21.
             
          
           
             Now
             the
             God
             of
             peace
             that
             brought
             again
             from
             the
             dead
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             ,
             that
             great
             shepherd
             of
             the
             sheep
             ,
             through
             the
             blood
             of
             the
             everlasting
             Covenant
             ,
             make
             you
             perfect
             in
             every
             good
             work
             to
             do
             his
             will
             ,
             working
             in
             you
             that
             which
             is
             well-pleasing
             in
             his
             sight
             ,
             through
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             to
             whom
             be
             glory
             for
             ever
             and
             ever
             .
             Amen
             .
          
        
         
           BEING
           upon
           the
           point
           of
           leaving
           this
           Station
           ,
           in
           which
           I
           have
           continued
           for
           the
           space
           of
           above
           Twenty
           three
           Years
           ,
           it
           neither
           became
           me
           ,
           nor
           indeed
           was
           I
           willing
           to
           pass
           from
           it
           (
           where
           I
           have
           found
           so
           great
           a
           Respect
           ,
           and
           have
           had
           as
           great
           Satisfaction
           as
           any
           ,
           I
           think
           ,
           could
           have
           in
           that
           Condition
           )
           ;
           I
           say
           ,
           I
           was
           not
           willing
           to
           quit
           it
           ,
           without
           a
           Solemn
           Farewell
           ;
           and
           which
           to
           me
           is
           little
           less
           Solemn
           ,
           than
           if
           I
           were
           to
           leave
           you
           and
           this
           World
           together
           .
        
         
           And
           therefore
           I
           shall
           at
           this
           time
           so
           endeavour
           to
           Speak
           ,
           and
           I
           wish
           you
           may
           also
           so
           attentively
           Hear
           ,
           as
           if
           it
           was
           my
           dying-Sermon
           ,
           
           and
           what
           I
           should
           Preach
           ,
           were
           it
           the
           last
           that
           ever
           I
           should
           Preach
           ,
           and
           this
           the
           last
           time
           that
           ever
           I
           should
           Converse
           with
           you
           .
        
         
           The
           Sum
           of
           what
           I
           should
           say
           to
           you
           ,
           or
           desire
           for
           your
           good
           ,
           is
           contained
           in
           the
           Words
           I
           have
           read
           .
           
             Now
             the
             God
             of
             peace
             that
             brought
             again
             from
             the
             dead
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             ,
             the
             great
             Shepherd
             ,
          
           &c.
           
        
         
           In
           which
           Words
           we
           have
           set
           forth
           ,
        
         
           I.
           The
           State
           which
           every
           Christian
           is
           to
           aspire
           after
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           ,
           a
           Perfection
           or
           Promptitude
           
             in
             every
             good
             work
             .
          
        
         
           II.
           The
           Means
           by
           which
           that
           Perfection
           is
           to
           be
           acquired
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           ,
           by
           God's
           Assistance
           ;
           and
           therefore
           the
           Apostle
           begins
           with
           it
           ;
           
             Now
             the
             God
             of
             peace
             —
             make
             you
             perfect
             ,
          
           &c.
           
        
         
           III.
           The
           Hopes
           or
           Assurance
           we
           have
           of
           Acceptance
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           is
           well-pleasing
           in
           his
           sight
           ;
           and
           that
           is
           ,
           
             through
             the
             blood
             of
             the
             everlasting
             covenant
             ;
          
           and
           of
           the
           Efficacy
           of
           which
           there
           is
           sufficient
           Testimony
           ,
           when
           
             the
             God
             of
             peace
             brought
             again
             Jesus
             our
             Lord
             from
             the
             dead
             .
          
        
         
           The
           main
           of
           what
           I
           have
           to
           say
           ,
           will
           fall
           upon
           the
           First
           of
           these
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           ,
           The
           being
           
             perfect
             in
             every
             good
             work
             ;
          
           which
           doth
           suppose
           that
           there
           is
           no
           Good
           Work
           but
           what
           a
           Christian
           must
           be
           practised
           in
           .
           His
           Obedience
           must
           
           be
           universal
           ,
           and
           what
           is
           as
           large
           and
           extensive
           as
           the
           Law
           it self
           .
           And
           as
           the
           Law
           which
           is
           to
           govern
           us
           would
           not
           be
           a
           perfect
           Law
           ,
           were
           it
           deficient
           in
           any
           Points
           requisite
           to
           be
           known
           ,
           or
           in
           any
           Duties
           requisite
           to
           be
           done
           :
           So
           neither
           is
           a
           Christian
           compleatly
           so
           ,
           if
           he
           be
           deficient
           in
           any
           good
           Work
           which
           that
           Law
           requires
           .
           Such
           as
           a
           Person
           is
           in
           all
           Points
           to
           be
           ,
           such
           is
           the
           Rule
           to
           be
           ;
           and
           such
           as
           the
           Rule
           is
           ,
           such
           is
           he
           in
           all
           Points
           to
           be
           .
           He
           that
           is
           a
           Perfect
           Man
           ,
           is
           in
           every
           state
           of
           Life
           alike
           ;
           watchful
           over
           himself
           ,
           and
           skilful
           in
           the
           government
           of
           himself
           ;
           he
           is
           Temperate
           ,
           Holy
           ,
           and
           Humble
           ,
           Patient
           ,
           Meek
           ,
           and
           Contented
           :
           Charitable
           in
           his
           Opinions
           and
           Characters
           of
           others
           ;
           Just
           and
           Honest
           in
           his
           Dealings
           ;
           useful
           in
           Society
           .
           And
           he
           is
           not
           only
           thus
           extensive
           in
           respect
           of
           the
           Duties
           he
           is
           to
           practice
           ,
           but
           to
           be
           expert
           in
           them
           ;
           
             perfect
             in
             every
             good
             work
             ;
          
           and
           that
           being
           spurr'd
           on
           by
           a
           fervent
           Zeal
           for
           the
           Glory
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           of
           doing
           good
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           wisely
           takes
           hold
           of
           such
           opportunities
           for
           exerting
           it
           ,
           as
           fall
           in
           his
           way
           .
        
         
           And
           now
           if
           we
           would
           know
           what
           those
           
             Good
             Works
          
           are
           which
           we
           are
           to
           be
           perfect
           in
           ,
           and
           what
           the
           Occasions
           are
           which
           we
           have
           for
           such
           
             Good
             Works
             ,
          
           and
           the
           Practice
           of
           them
           :
        
         
         
           I
           shall
           consider
           you
           of
           this
           Auditory
           ,
           that
           I
           am
           more
           especially
           to
           direct
           my self
           to
           ,
           under
           a
           Threefold
           Capacity
           .
        
         
           I.
           As
           in
           a
           Publick
           Relation
           ,
           and
           what
           is
           usually
           called
           a
           Parish
           .
        
         
           II.
           In
           a
           Domestical
           Relation
           ,
           as
           in
           a
           more
           peculiar
           Relation
           ,
           that
           of
           Families
           and
           Housholds
           .
        
         
           III.
           In
           a
           Personal
           Capacity
           ,
           and
           what
           belongs
           to
           every
           one
           in
           particular
           .
        
         
           I.
           As
           in
           a
           Parish
           .
        
         
           This
           is
           in
           it self
           a
           very
           useful
           Constitution
           ,
           and
           what
           ,
           were
           it
           broken
           up
           ,
           and
           all
           laid
           in
           common
           without
           that
           distinction
           ,
           we
           should
           soon
           find
           the
           want
           of
           ,
           in
           the
           Confusion
           we
           should
           be
           in
           .
           For
           as
           it
           is
           necessary
           that
           Mankind
           should
           be
           ranged
           into
           Kingdoms
           ,
           and
           those
           Kingdoms
           into
           Districts
           and
           Counties
           ,
           and
           those
           Counties
           into
           Towns
           and
           Cities
           ;
           so
           it
           is
           very
           convenient
           ,
           if
           not
           as
           necessary
           ,
           those
           Cities
           should
           be
           subdivided
           ,
           and
           broken
           into
           lesser
           Proportions
           ;
           that
           the
           mutual
           Offices
           of
           Mankind
           one
           toward
           another
           ,
           might
           be
           the
           better
           executed
           .
        
         
         
           And
           if
           it
           be
           so
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           duty
           arising
           from
           each
           Member
           of
           that
           Society
           to
           another
           ,
           and
           much
           more
           to
           the
           whole
           ;
           and
           which
           a
           Person
           can
           no
           more
           suppose
           himself
           discharged
           from
           ,
           than
           he
           can
           be
           a
           branch
           of
           a
           Family
           ,
           and
           yet
           not
           be
           obliged
           to
           seek
           and
           promote
           the
           Welfare
           of
           it
           .
           For
           a
           Parish
           can
           no
           more
           subsist
           ,
           and
           answer
           the
           ends
           of
           such
           a
           prudential
           and
           useful
           Constitution
           ,
           than
           a
           Family
           can
           be
           supported
           ,
           without
           each
           Member
           of
           that
           Society
           do
           according
           to
           his
           capacity
           contribute
           to
           the
           good
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           And
           in
           the
           first
           place
           ,
           the
           Peace
           of
           such
           a
           Society
           ought
           with
           the
           utmost
           diligence
           to
           be
           maintained
           ;
           and
           all
           Prejudices
           ,
           and
           Passions
           ,
           and
           private
           Interests
           (
           the
           great
           Nurseries
           of
           Faction
           )
           ought
           to
           be
           laid
           aside
           .
           And
           no
           Person
           ,
           how
           displeasing
           soever
           another
           may
           be
           to
           him
           in
           respect
           of
           his
           Temper
           ,
           how
           prejudiced
           soever
           he
           may
           be
           against
           him
           in
           respect
           of
           any
           clashings
           that
           have
           been
           between
           them
           ,
           how
           repugnant
           soever
           their
           secular
           Interests
           may
           be
           ,
           is
           to
           right
           himself
           upon
           the
           Society's
           disturbance
           ;
           but
           is
           to
           behave
           himself
           upon
           all
           Parochial
           Meetings
           ,
           and
           in
           all
           Parochial
           and
           Common
           Interests
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           were
           all
           of
           one
           Mind
           ,
           and
           as
           embarked
           in
           the
           same
           design
           .
           In
           such
           cases
           
           no
           Man
           is
           to
           act
           like
           a
           particular
           Person
           ,
           but
           still
           to
           consider
           the
           Relation
           he
           stands
           in
           to
           the
           Community
           ;
           to
           know
           neither
           Friend
           nor
           Brother
           on
           one
           hand
           ,
           nor
           Enemy
           on
           the
           other
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           do
           wrong
           to
           the
           whole
           ,
           or
           to
           any
           particular
           of
           it
           ;
           but
           in
           the
           Apostle's
           Phrase
           ,
           to
           
             bear
             one
             anothers
             burdens
             ,
          
           and
           so
           
             to
             fulfil
             the
             Law
             of
             Christ
             ,
          
           that
           noble
           Law
           ,
           That
           
             whatsoever
             ye
             would
             that
             men
             should
             do
             unto
             you
             ,
             do
             ye
             also
             to
             them
             .
          
        
         
           But
           there
           is
           a
           farther
           improvement
           of
           this
           Relation
           ;
           for
           a
           Parish
           is
           not
           only
           a
           Civil
           ,
           but
           a
           Religious
           Society
           ,
           instituted
           for
           the
           Service
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           maintenance
           of
           Religion
           ;
           and
           this
           lays
           us
           under
           a
           stricter
           obligation
           .
        
         
           In
           this
           case
           ,
           a
           Parish
           is
           but
           another
           Name
           for
           a
           Church
           ;
           and
           each
           Member
           of
           such
           a
           Society
           ought
           to
           have
           a
           mutual
           care
           for
           each
           other
           .
           Our
           Church
           doth
           suppose
           it
           ,
           where
           notorious
           Offenders
           are
           to
           be
           taken
           notice
           of
           ,
           and
           proceeded
           against
           ,
           and
           debarred
           the
           Communion
           ,
           upon
           good
           information
           of
           their
           scandalous
           Misbehaviour
           ,
           till
           they
           have
           given
           satisfaction
           (
           if
           publick
           )
           to
           the
           Congregation
           .
        
         
           But
           how
           could
           this
           be
           ,
           if
           there
           were
           not
           a
           Society
           to
           whom
           this
           Offence
           is
           given
           ,
           and
           a
           Neighbourhood
           that
           could
           (
           generally
           speaking
           )
           observe
           it
           ?
        
         
         
           And
           accordingly
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           thus
           joined
           in
           Neighbourhood
           by
           scituation
           ,
           and
           in
           an
           Ecclesiastical
           Society
           by
           a
           Parochial
           Union
           ;
           so
           there
           are
           acts
           of
           Religion
           and
           Worship
           ,
           which
           as
           of
           such
           Society
           they
           are
           to
           join
           and
           Communicate
           in
           :
           And
           that
           under
           a
           general
           Character
           ,
           is
           what
           we
           call
           Publick
           Worship
           ,
           consisting
           in
           Prayers
           ,
           Exhortations
           and
           Instructions
           ,
           Psalms
           ,
           and
           Sacraments
           .
           And
           since
           these
           are
           the
           publick
           Testimonies
           of
           Communion
           ,
           and
           what
           we
           are
           required
           by
           the
           Divine
           Command
           to
           Communicate
           in
           ,
           how
           much
           are
           they
           to
           blame
           that
           live
           in
           the
           neglect
           of
           these
           or
           any
           of
           these
           ?
        
         
           Of
           which
           there
           are
           Three
           sorts
           .
        
         
           Some
           that
           are
           of
           another
           Communion
           ,
           that
           join
           not
           in
           what
           we
           call
           Parochial
           ;
           this
           is
           a
           Case
           I
           will
           not
           at
           the
           present
           intermeddle
           in
           farther
           ,
           than
           to
           wish
           as
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           in
           another
           case
           ,
           
             I
             would
             to
             God
             ,
          
           that
           they
           all
           were
           
             altogether
             such
          
           as
           we
           are
           that
           do
           join
           in
           this
           Parochial
           Communion
           ;
           and
           that
           they
           would
           examine
           carefully
           ,
           and
           lay
           aside
           all
           Prejudices
           that
           arise
           not
           from
           the
           nature
           of
           the
           things
           ;
           and
           that
           they
           would
           think
           that
           the
           Peace
           of
           the
           Church
           and
           the
           Union
           of
           Christians
           ,
           are
           as
           Necessary
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           Beneficial
           and
           Beautiful
           ;
           and
           that
           in
           order
           hereunto
           ,
           they
           would
           come
           as
           far
           as
           they
           can
           .
           
           If
           this
           were
           done
           ,
           I
           am
           pretty
           confident
           ,
           that
           if
           there
           were
           not
           a
           Union
           in
           Worship
           consequent
           upon
           it
           ,
           yet
           that
           the
           Differences
           would
           grow
           less
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           ,
           that
           the
           Charity
           would
           be
           greater
           than
           the
           Difference
           is
           .
        
         
           A
           Second
           sort
           are
           those
           ,
           that
           are
           in
           Profession
           Members
           of
           our
           Parochial
           Churches
           ,
           but
           are
           in
           the
           largest
           sense
           Non-Communicants
           ;
           that
           wholly
           ,
           or
           generally
           ,
           live
           in
           the
           neglect
           of
           such
           Duties
           as
           are
           the
           Significations
           and
           Symbols
           of
           that
           Communion
           ;
           that
           do
           not
           frequent
           the
           Publick
           Worship
           ,
           but
           loyter
           away
           that
           time
           ,
           which
           the
           Nature
           of
           our
           Religion
           ,
           the
           Precepts
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           the
           Laws
           of
           the
           Land
           have
           made
           it
           our
           Duty
           to
           observe
           :
           That
           take
           it
           ill
           if
           they
           are
           not
           accounted
           Church-men
           ,
           and
           yet
           if
           you
           may
           judge
           of
           them
           by
           their
           practice
           ,
           are
           the
           remotest
           from
           that
           Character
           .
           We
           call
           others
           by
           the
           Names
           of
           their
           Communion
           ,
           according
           to
           what
           they
           Profess
           ,
           whether
           Papists
           or
           Protestants
           ,
           whether
           Presbyterians
           or
           Independents
           ,
           
             &c.
             
          
           But
           of
           what
           Church
           are
           they
           who
           live
           in
           no
           Communion
           ?
           That
           rarely
           or
           never
           appear
           in
           our
           Assemblies
           ;
           and
           whom
           ill
           Weather
           ,
           or
           some
           Accident
           ,
           or
           other
           Obligations
           ,
           sometimes
           bring
           to
           these
           places
           ,
           and
           so
           may
           be
           at
           the
           best
           reputed
           but
           Occasional
           Communicants
           ?
        
         
         
           Next
           to
           these
           are
           they
           that
           I
           may
           call
           Partial
           Communicants
           ;
           that
           are
           of
           the
           Church
           as
           to
           one
           part
           ,
           but
           live
           in
           the
           plain
           neglect
           of
           another
           ,
           no
           less
           necessary
           to
           be
           observed
           ;
           those
           I
           mean
           that
           neglect
           what
           is
           called
           (
           from
           the
           Eminence
           of
           it
           )
           
             the
             Communion
             .
          
           As
           if
           it
           were
           in
           their
           Power
           what
           to
           do
           ,
           and
           what
           to
           leave
           undone
           ;
           and
           though
           our
           Lord
           has
           said
           ,
           
             Do
             this
             in
             remembrance
             of
             Me
             ,
          
           neglect
           it
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           in
           Contempt
           of
           him
           .
        
         
           And
           now
           I
           am
           upon
           this
           Argument
           ,
           I
           must
           mind
           you
           of
           another
           solemn
           Ordinance
           of
           our
           Religion
           ,
           that
           if
           we
           respect
           the
           Use
           and
           End
           of
           it
           ,
           should
           first
           be
           Treated
           of
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           ,
           Baptism
           .
           An
           Ordinance
           indeed
           not
           neglected
           ;
           For
           who
           is
           there
           amongst
           us
           that
           is
           not
           willing
           and
           forward
           to
           have
           his
           Children
           thereby
           Matriculated
           and
           admitted
           into
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           ?
           But
           if
           we
           consider
           how
           it
           is
           generally
           Celebrated
           in
           Private
           ,
           in
           the
           corner
           of
           a
           Room
           ,
           in
           the
           presence
           of
           scarce
           so
           many
           as
           will
           entitle
           the
           Company
           to
           a
           Congregation
           ;
           it
           is
           far
           from
           being
           a
           Solemnity
           ,
           or
           from
           being
           treated
           as
           a
           Divine
           Institution
           ;
           far
           from
           answering
           the
           End
           of
           that
           Institution
           :
           For
           what
           is
           the
           End
           of
           that
           Ordinance
           ,
           but
           to
           initiate
           the
           Person
           into
           the
           Church
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           to
           entitle
           him
           to
           the
           
           Privileges
           of
           it
           ?
           And
           where
           is
           that
           Society
           that
           he
           is
           admitted
           to
           ?
           Is
           it
           not
           when
           Assembled
           after
           the
           most
           Solemn
           and
           Conspicuous
           manner
           for
           the
           Worship
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           testifying
           of
           their
           Communion
           in
           it
           ?
           And
           where
           is
           the
           Profession
           to
           be
           made
           before
           such
           admission
           ,
           where
           the
           Stipulation
           to
           be
           given
           ,
           where
           the
           Promise
           to
           undertake
           the
           Duties
           of
           a
           Christian
           ,
           but
           where
           the
           Church
           is
           ?
           And
           how
           can
           all
           this
           be
           done
           in
           Confusion
           and
           Precipitance
           ,
           without
           any
           timely
           notice
           or
           preparation
           ,
           without
           such
           an
           Assembly
           as
           the
           nature
           of
           the
           thing
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           the
           Order
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           in
           consequence
           of
           it
           ,
           doth
           require
           ?
           The
           Ordinance
           is
           certainly
           Publick
           ,
           Publick
           in
           the
           Nature
           and
           End
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           such
           ought
           the
           Celebration
           of
           it
           to
           be
           :
           And
           the
           neglect
           of
           such
           a
           Celebration
           is
           the
           less
           excusable
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           so
           easily
           remedied
           .
        
         
           But
           I
           come
           not
           here
           so
           much
           to
           Reprove
           as
           to
           Exhort
           ;
           and
           do
           no
           farther
           tax
           the
           neglect
           of
           such
           ,
           than
           as
           it
           may
           serve
           to
           awaken
           them
           that
           are
           guilty
           of
           it
           ,
           to
           a
           sense
           of
           their
           Duty
           .
           O
           what
           an
           Honour
           would
           it
           be
           to
           Almighty
           God!
           what
           a
           Service
           to
           our
           Religion
           !
           what
           a
           Means
           to
           sweeten
           our
           Tempers
           ,
           and
           to
           treat
           each
           other
           with
           Fairness
           and
           Simplicity
           ,
           if
           as
           we
           are
           Men
           
             made
             of
             one
             blood
             ,
          
           as
           we
           are
           Christians
           and
           Redeemed
           
           by
           the
           Blood
           of
           one
           Common
           Saviour
           ,
           so
           we
           could
           all
           come
           to
           join
           in
           the
           same
           Worship
           .
           What
           a
           glorious
           sight
           would
           it
           be
           when
           we
           come
           into
           the
           other
           World
           ,
           to
           find
           all
           of
           one
           Mind
           ,
           no
           grudgings
           ,
           no
           animosities
           ,
           no
           Sides
           nor
           Parties
           ,
           no
           private
           or
           personal
           Interests
           ,
           no
           supplanting
           or
           undermining
           ,
           but
           that
           all
           as
           much
           agree
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           were
           but
           one
           !
           That
           is
           a
           Church
           Triumphant
           indeed
           ,
           
             without
             spot
             or
             wrinkle
             ,
             or
             any
             such
             thing
             !
          
        
         
           And
           is
           not
           the
           Church
           here
           a
           part
           of
           that
           Blessed
           Society
           ,
           a
           Nursery
           to
           train
           us
           up
           to
           it
           ,
           and
           supposed
           to
           be
           endued
           with
           the
           same
           Divine
           Qualities
           ,
           in
           a
           lower
           degree
           and
           proportion
           ?
           And
           how
           little
           resemblance
           is
           there
           between
           Church
           and
           Church
           ,
           if
           we
           Divide
           as
           if
           we
           are
           under
           different
           Heads
           ,
           and
           had
           different
           Creeds
           ,
           and
           were
           in
           no
           expectation
           of
           having
           a
           Portion
           in
           the
           Blessed
           State
           above
           ?
           Whilst
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           we
           Wrangle
           ,
           and
           Divide
           ,
           and
           Censure
           ,
           and
           Revile
           ,
           and
           treat
           each
           other
           like
           the
           Wild
           Beasts
           of
           
             Africa
             ,
          
           rather
           than
           Men
           ,
           Christians
           ,
           and
           Brethren
           .
           These
           are
           things
           to
           be
           complained
           of
           whereever
           they
           are
           ;
           but
           ,
           Beloved
           ,
           
             I
             hope
             ,
          
           and
           I
           may
           say
           of
           some
           ,
           I
           know
           
             better
             things
             of
             you
             ,
             and
             things
             that
             accompany
             salvation
             .
          
        
         
         
           Let
           it
           therefore
           be
           a
           Testimony
           of
           the
           Concernment
           you
           have
           for
           our
           Religion
           ,
           and
           of
           your
           Zeal
           for
           the
           Glory
           of
           God
           ;
           nay
           ,
           let
           it
           be
           a
           Testimony
           of
           the
           hope
           you
           have
           of
           Salvation
           in
           the
           World
           to
           come
           ;
           that
           you
           promote
           what
           you
           can
           the
           Peace
           and
           Union
           of
           the
           Church
           and
           Place
           to
           which
           you
           do
           belong
           ;
           that
           you
           be
           Frequenters
           of
           the
           Publick
           Worship
           of
           God
           ,
           attentive
           Hearers
           of
           the
           Word
           ,
           Honourers
           of
           your
           Pastor
           that
           is
           to
           Instruct
           you
           ,
           Devout
           Partakers
           of
           the
           Holy
           Ordinances
           ,
           especially
           of
           the
           Lord's
           Supper
           ,
           and
           the
           Publick
           Prayers
           ,
           to
           which
           the
           Scripture
           hath
           annexed
           special
           Promises
           and
           Blessings
           .
        
         
           And
           for
           what
           end
           is
           all
           this
           required
           ?
           To
           what
           purpose
           was
           it
           that
           the
           Saints
           of
           Old
           ,
           and
           the
           Primitive
           Christians
           ,
           chose
           to
           Die
           ,
           and
           to
           expose
           themselves
           to
           such
           Deaths
           ,
           as
           came
           armed
           with
           the
           most
           formidable
           Terrors
           ,
           rather
           than
           not
           join
           in
           the
           Publick
           Communion
           ;
           but
           that
           this
           was
           in
           effect
           to
           Renounce
           their
           Religion
           ?
           And
           shall
           not
           we
           be
           as
           careful
           to
           do
           our
           part
           when
           it
           is
           so
           easily
           and
           safely
           performed
           ,
           and
           by
           our
           Attendance
           on
           the
           Divine
           Offices
           maintain
           the
           Credit
           of
           Religion
           against
           Gainsayers
           ,
           and
           testify
           as
           much
           as
           we
           can
           ,
           That
           this
           is
           our
           Religion
           ,
           and
           what
           we
           believe
           to
           be
           the
           True
           ?
        
         
         
           
             Go
             to
             the
             ant
             ,
             thou
             sluggard
             ,
          
           saith
           
             Solomon
             ;
          
           and
           we
           may
           be
           sent
           to
           the
           
             Mahometans
          
           and
           to
           the
           
             Heathens
             ,
          
           and
           to
           those
           of
           a
           False
           Religion
           ,
           and
           the
           Disguisers
           and
           Corrupters
           of
           the
           True
           (
           I
           mean
           the
           Zealots
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Rome
             )
             ,
          
           to
           those
           of
           other
           Parties
           ,
           to
           learn
           how
           to
           Honour
           our
           Religion
           ,
           and
           to
           bear
           Testimony
           to
           the
           Truth
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           What
           a
           Reproach
           is
           it
           to
           see
           the
           Fields
           full
           and
           crowded
           ,
           and
           the
           Churches
           too
           often
           scandalously
           thin
           on
           the
           Lord's
           day
           ?
        
         
           To
           see
           on
           other
           days
           what
           a
           vast
           Concourse
           there
           is
           on
           the
           place
           of
           Commerce
           ,
           what
           Crowds
           pass
           along
           by
           the
           Church-doors
           ,
           and
           how
           few
           are
           ,
           in
           our
           Saviour's
           Phrase
           ,
           
             able
          
           and
           willing
           
             to
             enter
             .
          
           How
           full
           are
           our
           Houses
           of
           Youth
           and
           Servants
           ,
           and
           of
           others
           that
           have
           in
           some
           hours
           of
           the
           day
           little
           to
           do
           ?
           And
           how
           often
           the
           most
           Busy
           have
           time
           to
           spare
           ,
           and
           stand
           at
           the
           same
           time
           Idle
           and
           Unemploy'd
           ,
           when
           there
           is
           Publick
           Notice
           given
           that
           the
           time
           of
           Divine
           Service
           is
           then
           come
           ?
        
         
           If
           we
           were
           but
           prudent
           husbanders
           of
           our
           Time
           and
           Business
           ,
           How
           easily
           might
           the
           Publick
           Service
           of
           every
           day
           ,
           be
           made
           ,
           for
           the
           most
           part
           ,
           consistent
           with
           the
           common
           Affairs
           of
           our
           Professions
           ?
           And
           I
           will
           appeal
           to
           any
           
           that
           have
           considered
           and
           tried
           it
           ,
           whether
           this
           is
           not
           generally
           Practicable
           ;
           and
           I
           will
           appeal
           to
           those
           that
           think
           it
           Unpracticable
           ,
           whether
           they
           have
           as
           carefully
           computed
           this
           ,
           as
           they
           have
           cast
           up
           their
           Books
           ,
           or
           thought
           aforehand
           after
           what
           manner
           to
           dispose
           of
           their
           time
           upon
           any
           day
           to
           the
           Advantage
           of
           their
           own
           Affairs
           .
        
         
           I
           would
           make
           all
           allowances
           that
           I
           can
           ,
           and
           pass
           the
           most
           favourable
           Constructions
           upon
           the
           urgency
           of
           Affairs
           ;
           and
           in
           the
           conclusion
           must
           leave
           it
           to
           every
           Man's
           Conscience
           (
           as
           the
           best
           Director
           )
           to
           answer
           for
           themselves
           .
        
         
           This
           I
           am
           sure
           of
           ,
           and
           what
           all
           must
           allow
           ,
           that
           if
           there
           was
           a
           joint
           concurrence
           in
           the
           Divine
           Worship
           ,
           that
           all
           Persons
           were
           of
           one
           Mind
           ,
           and
           with
           one
           Mouth
           Celebrated
           the
           Divine
           Praises
           ,
           that
           the
           Publick
           Worship
           were
           Universally
           frequented
           ;
           it
           would
           be
           to
           the
           Honour
           of
           our
           Religion
           and
           Church
           ,
           and
           consequently
           to
           the
           Honour
           of
           God.
           And
           if
           I
           may
           speak
           my
           own
           Opinion
           ,
           from
           the
           best
           Observation
           I
           am
           able
           to
           make
           ,
           If
           every
           one
           did
           what
           they
           could
           ,
           if
           each
           Person
           would
           well
           and
           impartially
           weigh
           his
           own
           Case
           ;
           and
           those
           that
           are
           Governors
           of
           others
           ,
           and
           have
           Families
           ,
           would
           
           consider
           how
           to
           proportion
           and
           adjust
           their
           time
           to
           their
           Business
           ;
           and
           lay
           aside
           what
           time
           they
           could
           well
           and
           conveniently
           spare
           ,
           the
           House
           and
           Service
           of
           God
           would
           never
           be
           without
           a
           laudable
           Congregation
           .
           I
           desire
           no
           more
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           than
           I
           did
           before
           of
           others
           that
           Dissent
           from
           us
           ,
           That
           Persons
           would
           do
           what
           they
           can
           .
           No
           Man
           knows
           what
           he
           can
           do
           till
           he
           tries
           ;
           till
           which
           every
           Difficulty
           seems
           impossible
           ,
           and
           every
           little
           Inconvenience
           a
           Difficulty
           ,
           and
           every
           Appearance
           shall
           be
           an
           Inconvenience
           .
        
         
           God
           
             requires
             not
             according
             to
             what
             we
             have
             not
             ,
             but
             according
             to
             what
             we
             have
             ;
          
           and
           has
           so
           wisely
           ordered
           things
           ,
           that
           our
           Worldly
           Business
           and
           his
           Service
           may
           be
           consistent
           ;
           and
           we
           find
           no
           inconvenience
           to
           our selves
           ,
           that
           out
           of
           Seven
           Days
           he
           has
           reserved
           one
           to
           himself
           .
        
         
           If
           this
           were
           left
           at
           large
           ,
           and
           we
           had
           no
           such
           portion
           of
           time
           set
           apart
           by
           Divine
           Institution
           ,
           but
           were
           to
           do
           it
           of
           our selves
           ,
           or
           were
           required
           by
           Superiors
           ,
           we
           should
           be
           apt
           ,
           I
           doubt
           not
           ,
           to
           complain
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           impossible
           for
           us
           to
           spare
           Fifty
           two
           days
           in
           a
           Year
           for
           such
           a
           Service
           ,
           considering
           the
           multiplicity
           of
           our
           Affairs
           ,
           and
           the
           pressing
           Necessities
           we
           were
           under
           ;
           we
           should
           (
           I
           say
           )
           be
           apt
           to
           complain
           very
           heavily
           of
           
           such
           a
           restriction
           .
           And
           yet
           notwithstanding
           what
           this
           would
           seem
           to
           be
           if
           we
           had
           not
           tried
           ,
           we
           find
           it
           very
           Practicable
           ;
           and
           those
           that
           do
           Conscientiously
           Observe
           it
           ,
           and
           rest
           from
           all
           worldly
           Business
           on
           that
           Day
           ,
           do
           as
           well
           dispatch
           their
           Affairs
           ,
           and
           are
           as
           successful
           ,
           as
           those
           that
           do
           apply
           as
           much
           of
           it
           as
           they
           can
           or
           dare
           to
           their
           own
           peculiar
           Service
           .
           And
           I
           am
           Confident
           ,
           that
           so
           it
           would
           be
           here
           ,
           if
           we
           did
           but
           try
           ,
           and
           endeavoured
           to
           order
           our
           Affairs
           ,
           and
           husband
           our
           Time
           to
           the
           best
           Advantage
           .
           We
           should
           then
           ,
           for
           the
           most
           part
           ,
           find
           that
           we
           have
           spare
           People
           in
           our
           Families
           ,
           that
           may
           have
           leisure
           given
           them
           ,
           or
           which
           those
           that
           are
           in
           their
           own
           power
           may
           take
           ,
           for
           the
           Serving
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           Who
           could
           think
           but
           that
           in
           these
           Two
           Parishes
           ,
           in
           which
           there
           are
           (
           if
           I
           mistake
           not
           )
           about
           Seven
           hundred
           Communicants
           ,
           there
           should
           be
           so
           many
           found
           as
           should
           make
           up
           a
           Congregation
           every
           day
           ;
           and
           when
           among
           the
           Hundred
           and
           Thirty
           Houses
           ,
           of
           which
           these
           United
           Parishes
           consist
           ,
           there
           are
           not
           much
           above
           Twenty
           of
           them
           that
           ,
           of
           all
           Persuasions
           ,
           do
           Dissent
           from
           us
           ?
           Whoever
           considers
           this
           ,
           cannot
           well
           conceive
           ,
           that
           all
           are
           alike
           employed
           ,
           and
           have
           the
           same
           pretence
           to
           excuse
           such
           an
           
           Omission
           ,
           as
           tends
           in
           the
           consequence
           of
           it
           so
           much
           to
           shew
           our
           want
           of
           Zeal
           and
           Concernment
           for
           the
           Religion
           we
           Profess
           .
        
         
           The
           Reformation
           of
           this
           depends
           upon
           Management
           and
           Consideration
           .
           And
           if
           upon
           this
           they
           find
           it
           unpracticable
           ,
           I
           dare
           be
           their
           Compurgator
           ,
           and
           plead
           their
           Excuse
           .
           But
           that
           I
           am
           in
           some
           measure
           secured
           there
           will
           be
           no
           occasion
           for
           .
        
         
           Thus
           far
           I
           have
           Considered
           the
           First
           General
           ;
           as
           you
           are
           in
           a
           Society
           ,
           and
           of
           a
           Parochial
           Communion
           .
        
         
           II.
           I
           am
           to
           consider
           you
           under
           a
           Domestical
           Relation
           ,
           that
           of
           Housholds
           or
           Families
           .
        
         
           We
           Read
           in
           the
           Epistles
           ,
           
           of
           a
           Church
           in
           the
           House
           of
           
             Aquila
          
           at
           
             Corinth
             ;
          
           
           which
           was
           when
           there
           was
           no
           Place
           in
           that
           City
           for
           Publick
           Communion
           ,
           or
           when
           it
           was
           not
           permitted
           in
           the
           times
           of
           Persecution
           .
           But
           however
           ,
           every
           Christian-Family
           may
           maintain
           that
           Character
           ,
           where
           the
           Master
           is
           a
           Priest
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           and
           Presides
           over
           it
           :
           And
           as
           there
           is
           a
           Publick
           Service
           for
           the
           Publick
           Congregation
           ,
           so
           is
           there
           a
           Private
           due
           from
           the
           Private
           ,
           in
           which
           he
           ,
           or
           some
           other
           fit
           Person
           Deputed
           by
           him
           ,
           is
           to
           Officiate
           .
        
         
           And
           the
           first
           Duty
           that
           offers
           it self
           to
           our
           Consideration
           ,
           is
           that
           of
           Domestical
           ,
           or
           Family-Prayer
           ,
           
           with
           which
           the
           day
           should
           begin
           and
           end
           ;
           being
           a
           just
           Tribute
           we
           owe
           to
           Almighty
           God
           for
           our
           daily
           Preservation
           ,
           and
           for
           all
           the
           Advantages
           we
           receive
           from
           the
           Inspection
           and
           Bounty
           of
           his
           Good
           Providence
           .
           Without
           which
           we
           do
           no
           more
           than
           the
           Beasts
           ,
           who
           Receive
           ,
           but
           have
           no
           Knowledge
           of
           their
           Benefactor
           ;
           nay
           ,
           our
           condition
           seems
           to
           be
           worse
           than
           theirs
           ,
           who
           have
           such
           Faculties
           and
           Powers
           as
           they
           have
           not
           ,
           and
           are
           made
           for
           Society
           ,
           and
           reap
           the
           Pleasure
           and
           the
           Benefit
           of
           it
           .
           And
           how
           unseemly
           is
           it
           for
           us
           that
           are
           under
           one
           Roof
           ,
           thus
           embodied
           into
           little
           Societies
           ,
           that
           are
           conversant
           all
           the
           day
           in
           Business
           relating
           to
           the
           good
           of
           the
           Family
           ,
           and
           take
           no
           notice
           of
           Almighty
           God
           ,
           the
           common
           Guardian
           and
           Patron
           ?
        
         
           How
           would
           it
           look
           ,
           and
           how
           would
           the
           Master
           of
           the
           Family
           resent
           it
           ,
           if
           his
           Children
           ,
           or
           his
           Servants
           ,
           should
           take
           no
           notice
           of
           him
           time
           after
           time
           ,
           but
           where-ever
           they
           meet
           him
           ,
           pay
           him
           no
           Respect
           ,
           nor
           Obey
           his
           Orders
           ,
           though
           he
           Provides
           for
           them
           ,
           is
           Kind
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           continually
           Obliging
           them
           by
           his
           Favour
           and
           his
           Care
           ?
        
         
           And
           what
           an
           Indignity
           is
           it
           then
           in
           the
           Master
           of
           the
           Houshold
           ,
           and
           all
           under
           his
           Roof
           ,
           to
           
           Live
           upon
           the
           Bounty
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           to
           be
           Preserved
           in
           their
           going
           out
           and
           coming
           in
           ,
           their
           lying
           down
           and
           rising
           up
           ;
           to
           be
           Successful
           in
           the
           beginning
           and
           end
           of
           their
           Affairs
           ,
           through
           his
           Blessing
           ,
           and
           yet
           to
           live
           as
           if
           they
           had
           no
           need
           of
           ,
           or
           were
           not
           beholding
           to
           such
           a
           Power
           ?
        
         
           And
           especially
           are
           these
           of
           our
           Communion
           the
           less
           Excusable
           ,
           if
           there
           be
           any
           (
           as
           I
           doubt
           there
           are
           too
           many
           )
           that
           are
           guilty
           of
           this
           neglect
           .
        
         
           For
           these
           are
           satisfied
           in
           the
           Lawfulness
           and
           Expedience
           of
           Using
           a
           Form
           (
           which
           some
           of
           other
           Communions
           Scruple
           )
           and
           which
           they
           may
           readily
           be
           furnished
           with
           ,
           out
           of
           the
           numerous
           Books
           of
           Devotion
           that
           are
           extant
           .
           If
           it
           were
           otherwise
           ,
           that
           they
           thought
           a
           Form
           of
           Prayer
           Unlawful
           ,
           they
           might
           ,
           perhaps
           ,
           plead
           a
           Disability
           as
           to
           themselves
           ,
           a
           want
           of
           Elocution
           ,
           a
           want
           of
           Words
           ,
           or
           Thoughts
           ,
           or
           Assurance
           .
           And
           if
           it
           really
           were
           so
           ,
           that
           there
           were
           a
           Disability
           or
           Incapacity
           in
           the
           Person
           ;
           and
           that
           a
           Form
           were
           in
           it self
           Unlawful
           ,
           or
           that
           they
           did
           in
           their
           Conscience
           conceive
           it
           so
           to
           be
           ;
           then
           the
           plain
           Consequence
           would
           be
           ,
           That
           there
           could
           be
           no
           such
           Family-Prayer
           performed
           by
           him
           ,
           and
           that
           Order
           of
           Devotion
           must
           unavoidably
           fall
           ,
           as
           far
           as
           the
           Master
           is
           concerned
           in
           it
           .
        
         
         
           But
           whenas
           the
           contrary
           to
           this
           is
           true
           ,
           and
           own'd
           so
           to
           be
           ;
           then
           there
           is
           no
           excuse
           to
           be
           pleaded
           :
           For
           if
           he
           cannot
           Pray
           without
           a
           Form
           ,
           yet
           there
           are
           Forms
           for
           him
           every
           where
           to
           be
           had
           .
        
         
           The
           next
           Duty
           incumbent
           upon
           the
           Guides
           and
           Governors
           of
           Families
           ,
           is
           a
           due
           regard
           had
           to
           the
           Behaviour
           of
           those
           under
           their
           Care
           ,
           and
           an
           Instruction
           of
           the
           Younger
           sort
           especially
           in
           the
           necessary
           Principles
           of
           Religion
           and
           Virtue
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           a
           great
           Advantage
           a
           Master
           of
           a
           Family
           herein
           has
           ,
           and
           that
           beyond
           the
           Minister
           ;
           for
           he
           is
           near
           to
           them
           ,
           Converses
           with
           them
           every
           day
           ,
           can
           observe
           their
           Humours
           ,
           Inclinations
           and
           Demeanor
           ,
           and
           so
           can
           apply
           himself
           in
           a
           peculiar
           manner
           to
           them
           ;
           and
           if
           he
           prudently
           manages
           these
           occasions
           ,
           he
           may
           do
           it
           to
           great
           advantage
           .
        
         
           And
           especially
           is
           this
           evident
           in
           Catechising
           and
           Instructing
           them
           ;
           or
           if
           that
           be
           too
           much
           ,
           that
           he
           send
           them
           to
           be
           Catechised
           ,
           or
           to
           hear
           the
           Catechetical
           Expositions
           of
           his
           Pastor
           :
           This
           is
           no
           toyl
           ,
           takes
           up
           none
           of
           his
           own
           time
           ;
           and
           perhaps
           may
           be
           more
           to
           their
           Benefit
           .
        
         
           This
           neglect
           ,
           I
           must
           confess
           ,
           is
           what
           Religion
           and
           the
           Publick
           suffer
           much
           by
           ;
           as
           daily
           
           Experience
           shews
           .
           It
           is
           from
           the
           want
           of
           sowing
           the
           early
           Seeds
           of
           Piety
           ,
           that
           the
           Enemy
           takes
           the
           opportunity
           of
           sowing
           his
           Tares
           ;
           not
           only
           of
           False
           Principles
           ,
           but
           of
           Evil
           Inclinations
           ,
           and
           of
           improving
           them
           to
           their
           final
           undoing
           .
        
         
           Here
           the
           Mischief
           generally
           begins
           ,
           from
           whence
           all
           Disorders
           in
           Families
           and
           Societies
           do
           proceed
           :
           And
           therefore
           ,
           though
           the
           Persons
           themselves
           are
           guilty
           that
           fall
           into
           these
           evil
           Circumstances
           ,
           and
           shall
           without
           Repentance
           suffer
           deeply
           for
           it
           another
           day
           ;
           yet
           they
           to
           whom
           the
           care
           of
           their
           Education
           did
           belong
           ,
           are
           also
           accountable
           for
           it
           .
           For
           the
           Governors
           of
           Families
           are
           not
           to
           repute
           themselves
           to
           be
           single
           Persons
           (
           as
           I
           have
           before
           said
           in
           another
           Case
           )
           and
           at
           liberty
           to
           do
           what
           they
           please
           ,
           and
           to
           use
           their
           Authority
           only
           for
           the
           service
           of
           their
           own
           Humour
           or
           Interest
           ;
           but
           are
           to
           remember
           that
           they
           serve
           a
           Master
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           others
           are
           to
           serve
           them
           ,
           the
           Lord
           of
           both
           Master
           and
           Servant
           ,
           the
           common
           Parent
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           and
           therefore
           have
           a
           part
           to
           discharge
           ,
           and
           are
           answerable
           for
           .
        
         
           And
           he
           that
           shall
           think
           he
           has
           done
           all
           when
           he
           provides
           Food
           and
           Cloathing
           ,
           or
           Worldly
           Necessaries
           and
           Conveniences
           for
           them
           ,
           and
           looks
           upon
           himself
           as
           concerned
           no
           farther
           ,
           
           puts
           his
           Children
           and
           Servants
           into
           the
           condition
           of
           his
           Beasts
           ,
           which
           have
           alike
           Treatment
           from
           him
           ,
           according
           to
           their
           condition
           .
           No!
           They
           have
           Souls
           as
           well
           as
           he
           himself
           ,
           and
           his
           business
           is
           to
           see
           those
           as
           duly
           cared
           for
           ,
           according
           to
           his
           Power
           ,
           and
           Capacity
           ,
           and
           the
           Opportunities
           he
           has
           for
           it
           .
        
         
           If
           this
           were
           done
           ,
           that
           every
           Family
           were
           thus
           a
           Church
           ,
           and
           the
           Service
           of
           God
           set
           up
           ,
           and
           a
           care
           taken
           for
           the
           Education
           of
           Youth
           ,
           and
           the
           bringing
           them
           up
           
             in
             the
             nurture
             and
             admonition
             of
             the
             Lord
             ;
          
           What
           an
           alteration
           should
           we
           see
           in
           the
           face
           of
           things
           ?
           What
           a
           blessed
           change
           in
           the
           World
           ?
           How
           much
           Quiet
           and
           Comfort
           within
           doors
           ,
           and
           how
           much
           Order
           without
           ?
           The
           Church
           and
           the
           Nation
           would
           reap
           the
           blessed
           Fruits
           and
           Advantages
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           the
           Ages
           to
           come
           would
           rise
           up
           and
           call
           that
           Blessed
           in
           which
           this
           Reformation
           did
           begin
           .
        
         
           But
           on
           the
           other
           side
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           Duty
           also
           belonging
           to
           the
           Inferiors
           ;
           which
           they
           should
           be
           as
           careful
           to
           Discharge
           ;
           I
           mean
           Children
           and
           Servants
           ,
           that
           they
           be
           Submissive
           in
           their
           Behaviour
           ,
           Tractable
           and
           Obedient
           ,
           Honest
           and
           Faithful
           in
           the
           discharge
           of
           their
           Trust
           ;
           as
           knowing
           ,
           that
           though
           such
           may
           escape
           the
           indiscerning
           
           Eye
           of
           their
           Master
           ,
           who
           cannot
           observe
           and
           act
           all
           by
           himself
           (
           for
           then
           what
           need
           would
           there
           be
           of
           Servants
           and
           Subordinate
           Officers
           )
           nor
           penetrate
           into
           their
           private
           and
           clandestine
           designs
           ;
           yet
           that
           there
           is
           a
           greater
           Master
           ,
           to
           whom
           ,
           though
           invisible
           to
           us
           ,
           nothing
           is
           invisible
           :
           Let
           them
           remember
           (
           as
           the
           Apostle
           saith
           )
           
             they
             serve
             the
             Lord
             Christ
             ;
          
           and
           therefore
           be
           as
           Diligent
           and
           Just
           in
           the
           Affairs
           committed
           to
           their
           Trust
           ,
           Care
           and
           Management
           ,
           as
           if
           our
           Lord
           and
           Saviour
           himself
           were
           visibly
           present
           ,
           and
           would
           also
           be
           as
           sure
           to
           discover
           them
           to
           their
           Superiors
           ,
           as
           he
           is
           to
           know
           and
           observe
           them
           .
        
         
           This
           leads
           us
           to
           the
        
         
           IIId
           .
           Division
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           ,
        
         
           The
           State
           of
           Particular
           Persons
           ,
           and
           the
           Duty
           which
           every
           one
           is
           obliged
           to
           ,
           as
           to
           Himself
           ,
           his
           Profession
           ,
           and
           Station
           .
        
         
           Here
           indeed
           we
           are
           naturally
           to
           begin
           ;
           for
           if
           we
           learn
           to
           govern
           our selves
           ,
           we
           shall
           the
           better
           learn
           how
           to
           exercise
           all
           the
           parts
           of
           a
           Christian
           ,
           as
           to
           other
           Relations
           .
           
             If
             any
             man
             ,
          
           saith
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           
           
             offend
             not
             in
             word
             ,
          
           has
           the
           power
           over
           his
           own
           will
           and
           passions
           ,
           
             the
             same
             is
             a
             perfect
             man
             ,
             and
             able
             also
             to
             bridle
             the
             whole
             body
             ,
          
           whether
           it
           be
           the
           Political
           or
           Oeconomical
           .
           But
           this
           is
           the
           hardest
           task
           ,
           for
           a
           man
           may
           sooner
           
           Govern
           others
           than
           himself
           ;
           notwithstanding
           all
           the
           advantages
           he
           has
           for
           it
           ,
           and
           is
           ,
           or
           should
           be
           ,
           best
           known
           to
           himself
           .
           And
           if
           the
           Foundation
           be
           not
           laid
           here
           in
           the
           renovation
           of
           a
           man's
           Temper
           ,
           in
           the
           mortification
           of
           his
           lusts
           ,
           and
           the
           command
           of
           his
           passions
           ,
           it
           must
           needs
           slacken
           and
           cool
           his
           endeavours
           towards
           the
           reformation
           of
           any
           disorders
           that
           he
           is
           obliged
           ,
           or
           is
           in
           his
           power
           ,
           to
           rectify
           .
           He
           therefore
           that
           will
           be
           a
           good
           Parishioner
           ,
           a
           good
           Master
           ,
           a
           good
           Servant
           ,
           and
           to
           say
           all
           ,
           a
           good
           Christian
           ,
           must
           begin
           with
           himself
           ;
           
           and
           
             if
             he
             be
          
           thus
           
             converted
             ,
          
           he
           will
           be
           able
           to
           
             strengthen
             his
             brethren
             .
          
           This
           will
           then
           prompt
           him
           forward
           to
           lay
           himself
           out
           for
           the
           good
           of
           others
           ,
           where-ever
           he
           is
           ,
           and
           according
           to
           his
           Capacity
           and
           the
           opportunity
           he
           has
           for
           it
           .
           He
           will
           then
           be
           fit
           for
           Society
           ,
           who
           is
           neither
           apt
           to
           Provoke
           ,
           nor
           to
           be
           Provoked
           by
           others
           ;
           but
           behaves
           himself
           with
           a
           seemly
           and
           a
           regular
           Temper
           .
           He
           wil
           then
           be
           Just
           in
           his
           Dealings
           ,
           True
           to
           his
           Word
           ,
           and
           be
           as
           cautious
           of
           doing
           any
           Wrong
           ,
           as
           any
           can
           be
           of
           suffering
           it
           .
        
         
           He
           will
           then
           live
           in
           the
           fear
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           not
           dare
           to
           do
           any
           thing
           wilfully
           ,
           that
           may
           offend
           the
           Divine
           Majesty
           ,
           how
           great
           soever
           the
           Temptation
           be
           ;
           nor
           neglect
           any
           Duty
           that
           the
           Divine
           Precept
           has
           made
           necessary
           ,
           how
           inconvenient
           
           soever
           it
           may
           be
           to
           him
           .
           For
           such
           a
           one
           must
           be
           conceived
           to
           depend
           upon
           God
           in
           all
           his
           Affairs
           ,
           to
           commit
           himself
           by
           daily
           and
           constant
           Prayer
           to
           the
           Guidance
           of
           his
           Providence
           ,
           to
           set
           him
           before
           his
           Eyes
           ,
           as
           the
           Spectator
           at
           present
           in
           this
           World
           ,
           and
           that
           will
           be
           the
           Rewarder
           of
           him
           in
           another
           .
        
         
           This
           is
           the
           Character
           I
           would
           above
           all
           recommend
           to
           you
           ,
           and
           which
           I
           am
           certain
           ,
           if
           you
           come
           up
           to
           ,
           as
           it
           will
           be
           the
           best
           fruit
           of
           my
           Ministry
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           many
           Years
           I
           have
           spent
           in
           your
           Service
           ,
           so
           it
           will
           be
           as
           much
           to
           your
           everlasting
           advantage
           ;
           when
           both
           Minister
           and
           People
           will
           rejoyce
           together
           in
           that
           happy
           and
           glorious
           Society
           we
           come
           into
           this
           World
           to
           prepare
           our selves
           for
           .
           There
           is
           no
           better
           sight
           nor
           happiness
           in
           this
           World
           ,
           than
           to
           see
           Brethren
           to
           dwell
           together
           in
           Unity
           ;
           and
           to
           find
           such
           a
           Correspondence
           and
           Concordance
           in
           a
           Nation
           ,
           City
           ,
           Parish
           ,
           or
           Christian
           Society
           ,
           that
           there
           be
           no
           
             no
             breaking
             in
             ,
          
           
           
             nor
             going
             out
             ;
          
           no
           reason
           for
           complaint
           in
           our
           Neighbourhood
           ;
           but
           that
           by
           a
           holy
           emulation
           ,
           each
           of
           you
           may
           strive
           to
           outdo
           one
           another
           in
           the
           mutual
           offices
           of
           Charity
           and
           Kindness
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           Exemplary
           to
           others
           ,
           or
           to
           follow
           the
           good
           example
           of
           others
           in
           all
           things
           becoming
           a
           Christian
           ,
           and
           as
           those
           
           that
           
             look
             for
             that
             blessed
             hope
             ,
             and
             glorious
             appearing
             of
             the
             great
             God
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             our
             Saviour
             Jesus
             Christ.
             
          
        
         
           Here
           we
           are
           ,
           indeed
           ,
           a
           small
           Congregation
           Assembled
           together
           for
           the
           Worship
           of
           God
           ;
           and
           to
           take
           a
           solemn
           Farewel
           ,
           as
           Minister
           and
           People
           ,
           after
           we
           have
           lived
           so
           long
           together
           in
           a
           Parochial
           Communion
           and
           Fellowship
           .
           But
           what
           is
           this
           Assembly
           to
           the
           whole
           National
           Church
           of
           this
           Island
           (
           though
           for
           Convenience
           it
           is
           divided
           into
           more
           than
           Ten
           thousand
           lesser
           Congregations
           )
           ?
           What
           our
           little
           Whole
           ,
           comparatively
           to
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           now
           existent
           ,
           and
           dispersed
           far
           and
           wide
           upon
           the
           face
           of
           the
           Earth
           ?
           And
           what
           is
           all
           this
           to
           
             the
             general
             Assembly
          
           of
           all
           the
           Faithful
           Servants
           of
           God
           throughout
           all
           Ages
           that
           shall
           be
           convened
           together
           ,
           
           
             when
             our
             Lord
             shall
             come
             to
             be
             glorified
             in
             his
             saints
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             admired
             in
             all
             them
             that
             believe
             :
          
           This
           we
           are
           always
           to
           bear
           in
           mind
           .
           Here
           one
           Generation
           comes
           ,
           and
           another
           goeth
           ;
           but
           then
           we
           that
           are
           now
           divided
           into
           several
           Places
           and
           Ages
           ,
           shall
           at
           once
           stand
           before
           the
           Son
           of
           Man
           ;
           
           
             For
             we
             must
             all
             appear
             before
             the
             judgment
             seat
             of
             Christ
             ,
             that
             every
             one
             may
             receive
             the
             things
             done
             in
             his
             body
             ,
             according
             to
             that
             he
             hath
             done
             ,
             whether
             it
             be
             good
             or
             bad
             .
          
        
         
           Then
           ,
           and
           I
           tremble
           to
           speak
           it
           ,
           I
           must
           appear
           
           as
           your
           Guide
           and
           Instructor
           to
           give
           an
           account
           of
           my
           Stewardship
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           Flock
           committed
           to
           my
           Care
           ;
           and
           you
           must
           appear
           as
           Disciples
           ,
           to
           be
           accountable
           for
           what
           you
           have
           Heard
           and
           has
           been
           Taught
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           my
           own
           part
           ,
           I
           am
           conscious
           of
           my
           own
           manifold
           Infirmities
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           Omissions
           known
           and
           unknown
           that
           I
           have
           been
           guilty
           of
           throughout
           the
           Exercise
           of
           my
           Ministry
           among
           you
           ;
           must
           beg
           Pardon
           of
           God
           and
           you
           :
           Of
           you
           ,
           that
           you
           will
           exercise
           your
           Charity
           in
           covering
           those
           Faults
           you
           may
           have
           observed
           ;
           for
           though
           I
           can
           say
           with
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           
           
             I
             have
             coveted
             no
             man's
             silver
             or
             gold
             ;
          
           yet
           I
           am
           far
           from
           pretending
           to
           the
           other
           part
           of
           his
           Character
           .
        
         
           As
           to
           Almighty
           God
           ,
           the
           words
           of
           the
           
             Psalmist
          
           become
           me
           to
           use
           ,
           
           
             If
             thou
             ,
             Lord
             ,
             shouldest
             mark
             iniquities
             ,
             O
             Lord
             ,
             who
             shall
             stand
             ?
             but
             there
             is
             forgiveness
             with
             thee
             ,
             that
             thou
             may'st
             be
             feared
             .
          
           It
           is
           that
           which
           I
           beg
           for
           my self
           and
           you
           .
           And
           ,
           O
           that
           the
           consideration
           of
           this
           might
           awaken
           us
           all
           to
           a
           due
           sense
           of
           our
           condition
           !
           that
           we
           may
           so
           live
           and
           behave
           our selves
           in
           this
           present
           state
           of
           trial
           ,
           as
           that
           after
           a
           short
           life
           spent
           here
           ,
           
             we
             may
             enter
             into
             ,
          
           and
           be
           partakers
           of
           
             the
             joy
             of
             the
             Lord.
             
          
        
         
           And
           for
           which
           we
           have
           great
           advantages
           and
           
           encouragements
           ,
           which
           are
           are
           no
           less
           than
           the
           Divine
           Assistance
           ,
           which
           God
           has
           Promised
           to
           bestow
           upon
           us
           ,
           if
           we
           sincerely
           desire
           it
           ;
           and
           Acceptance
           through
           the
           Blood
           of
           Jesus
           our
           alone
           Redeemer
           and
           Mediator
           .
        
         
           And
           that
           this
           may
           be
           the
           Issue
           of
           all
           ,
           and
           that
           you
           and
           I
           may
           meet
           together
           ,
           and
           for
           ever
           rejoice
           in
           the
           Society
           of
           Just
           Men
           made
           Perfect
           ,
           shall
           be
           my
           ,
           and
           I
           hope
           will
           be
           your
           ,
           constant
           Prayer
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           Advice
           of
           our
           Apostle
           :
        
         
           Now
           the
           God
           of
           peace
           that
           brought
           again
           from
           the
           dead
           our
           Lord
           Jesus
           ,
           that
           great
           shepherd
           of
           the
           sheep
           ,
           through
           the
           blood
           of
           the
           everlasting
           Covenant
           ,
           make
           you
           perfect
           in
           every
           good
           work
           to
           do
           his
           will
           ;
           working
           in
           you
           that
           which
           is
           well-pleasing
           in
           his
           sight
           ,
           through
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           to
           whom
           be
           glory
           for
           ever
           and
           ever
           .
           
             Amen
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
           ERRATA
           .
        
         
           P.
           11.
           l.
           3.
           for
           
             would
          
           r.
           
             will.
          
           p.
           17.
           l.
           16.
           for
           
             Corinth
          
           r.
           
             Rome
             .
          
        
      
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A66423-e200
           
             Rom.
             16.
             5.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             16.
             19.
             
          
           
             James
             3.
             2.
             
          
           
             Luke
             22.
             32.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             144.
             14.
             
          
           
             Tit.
             2.
             13.
             
          
           
             2
             Thess.
             1.
             10.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             5.
             10.
             
          
           
             Act.
             20.
             23.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             130.
             3
             ,
             4.