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 Chefter's Charge 
 
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 CHESTER 
 
 May 5. 1691. 
 
 LONDON, 
 
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Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2013 
 
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 THE 
 
 Biihop of Cbeflers Charge, &c; 
 $0$ Dear T5?etij?en ; 
 
 Since nothing can more conduce to the Edification 
 of the Church in Faith and Holinefs, than that 
 its Paftors be duly qualified for their Work : I 
 think my time cannot be better employed in this 
 my Primary Vifitation, than in putting you in remem- 
 brance, what manner of Men the Paftors of the Church 
 ought to be ; and in quickening you and my fell, to the 
 faithful Difcharge of thofe great Duties which are incum- 
 bent upon us. 
 
 In Order to both which Purpofes, you need do no 
 more than ferioufly refle£t upon thofe things, which be- 
 fore your admiflion to this Sacred Office, you folemnly 
 before God and his Church, profefs'd to believe, and pro* 
 mis'd to perform. 
 
 The firft Queftion propofed to you, as preparatory to 
 your Ordination to Priefthood, was, Do you think in your 
 heart that you be truly called, according to the Will of our 
 Lord Jefus Chrift, and the Order of this Church ^England, 
 to the Order and Miniftry of Priefthood ? To which you 
 Anfwered, / think it ; That is, I think it in my heart, 
 I am verily perfwaded, that I am fo truly called, accor- 
 ding to the Will of our Lord Jefus Chrift, and the Order 
 of this Church of England. 
 
 Thefe latter Words [The Order of the Church of England] 
 are not put to denote another Rule, different from the 
 Will of Chrifl ; but are rather added, by way of Explica- 
 tion, to fliew, Who thofe are that are called according to 
 his Will, viz. Thofe who are io qualified as the Church 
 of England requires. B The 
 
CO 
 
 The Call here meant, is the inward Call from God ; 
 which muft go before to prepare a Perron, for the out- 
 ward Gill from the Church, in fetting him apart to this 
 Office, by Prayer and Tnpofition of hands. 
 
 This inward Call coniilU in the due qualification of 
 the Perfon, for this weighty Work ( for God never calls 
 a Man to any Employment, which he does not before in 
 iome good tneafiire fit him for): Theft Qualifications 
 may be reduced to Three General Heads : That the L?fe 7 
 That the Leaming.Thzt the Defiguoi the Perfon be (uch, 
 as are agreeable to the Sacrednds or the Office. All which 
 arc contain'd, in the Caution theBifhop gives to the Per- 
 fon who presents to him the Perfons to be Ordain'd. 
 Take heed, that the Perfons whom you prefent to us , be apt 
 and meet for their Learning and godly Converfation, to ex~ 
 ercife their Miniflry duly, to the Honour of God, and the 
 edifying of his Church. 
 
 Firjt, That he be for Life, blamelefs, Jober, jufl, holy, 
 temperate, as St. Paul prefcribes in his Epiftle to Titus : 
 That is, that he be not addi&ed to any of thofe Vices, 
 which would be a Disparagement to his Miniflry, and 
 hinder the good cfFedl of it ; and that he be indued with 
 all thoft Venues, which may adorn it. Whofoever there- 
 fore lives in the Practice of any fuch Vice, as will leffen 
 his Authority, and expofe his Mini ft ry to Contempt, he 
 is not qualified, according to the Order of the Church 
 A' England 
 
 Secondly, That he be for Learning, fo well acquainted 
 with the Senfe of the Holy .Scriptures, as to be able to 
 inllruft his I lock, in all that is necellary for them both 
 to know and to do, in order to their Eternal Salvation; 
 and toprefs their Duty upon them by fuch Con fi derati- 
 ons, as ma) 1 be apt to work upon their Willi, and induce 
 :. them to the Practice of it. Thus St. Paul advifes Timothy, 
 to make choice of inch tor Pallor*, who lhall be able 
 to ttach others ; and commands Titus to iee, that thofe 
 
 he 
 
C3 3 
 
 he ordained were fuch, as were iWc by found Dpi 
 
 f* ew/w/Y and convime Ga/njajers. VV u' therefqn .. Ll It ? . 
 
 fo ignorant, that he is not able to inflru :\ his 1\ 
 
 every neccilary Point, both of Faith and Practice j and 
 
 to enforce then* Duty by fit Ptqrfw^Cves, he is not called 
 
 according to the Will or Chrift. No man doubt! .ii, can 
 
 imagine, That it is the Will of Chrift that the Blind ihojuld 
 
 lead the Blind ; that they fhould be fet to be Guides to 
 
 others, who know not the way themfeives. The 
 
 Third, Neceflary Qualification, is a due Intention ; 
 That a Man be inwardly moved by the Holy Ghofl, to take 
 upon him this Office and Minijlry, to ferve God for the pro- 
 moting of his Glory, and the edifying of his People ; as it is 
 expreisYl in the Office for the ordering of Deacons. Not 
 but that a Mans intention may be approved by God, that 
 hath in it a mixture of refped: to Secular Advantage; 
 but then it muft be fo much Inferiour, in f uch perfect Sub 
 ordination to the other, as his principal end, that he defpife 
 all Worldly Regards in companion with it 5 - and refc 
 to perievere in his Work, though he meet with all the 
 discouragements in the world to oppofe him. 
 
 Though, blelied be God, there are many of you, my 
 Brethren^ not only whofe Life and Learning are fuch, as 
 your Adverfaries can make no jult Exception againU ; 
 but who alio give lufficient Proof, that your intenriou 
 was right, by your unwearied diligence, in tlie whole 
 and every part of your Work; yet I fear there may be 
 fome, who if tryed by this Rule, will be forced to con- 
 fefs, that they are not fo qualified, as the Laws of Chriil, 
 and of this Church require. Can it be thought, that 
 they have the Glory of God principally in their t\ 
 who endeavour to get into this Holy Employment, by 
 fuch unworthy Means as God abhors, by lalfe Titles, and 
 forged Certificates ? Can they be thought to aim chiefly 
 at the Salvation of Souls, who leave the Work wholly to 
 others, and take the Wages only to themfeives \ Who 
 
 B 2 for 
 
141 
 
 ibr their cale and plcafure abfent thcmfclvcs from their 
 Charges, and think that Curate the beft qualified, who 
 may be hired at the cheapeft rate ? 
 
 And here, my Brethren, 1 fhall charge your Conferen- 
 ces with Two Things relating to this Matter. 
 
 F$rft % That you never fend a Perfon to be Ordained, 
 with a Lye in his hand ; that is, that you never fignifie 
 to the Biihop, that you will take a Perfon for your Cu- 
 rate (in cafe he fhall think fit to Ordain him) whom you 
 intend never to employ in that Service : For though a 
 Title is indeed no Qualification for the Office, but a cauti- 
 onary Provifion, only for the Maintainance of the Perfon ; 
 yet to bring a falfe Title, is a plain Argument, that the 
 Man is deihtute of that Truth and Honefty, which are 
 necelTarily requifite to fo Sacred an Office as this is. 
 
 Secondly, That you never give a Teftimonial of the 
 good Life and Converfation of any Perfon, whofe Life 
 and Converfation you do not certainly know to be fuch. 
 Confidering, that if the Bifhop gives Orders to any un- 
 worthy Man, upon the Credit he gives to your Certifi- 
 cate, you muft anfwer to God, for all the Scandal that 
 is brought upon the Church thereby, and for the Ruine 
 of all thofe Souls, which are mifled by his bad Example. 
 
 Tn the next place, thefe Two Queftions were propofed 
 to you, before your Admiflion to the Office of Priefthood. 
 
 I. Are you perfwaded that the Holy Scriptures contain 
 iuf/iciently all Dottrine required of necejfity for eternal Salva* 
 '/en, through Faith in Chrifi Jejus ? 
 
 II. Are you determined out of the faid Scriptures, to in- 
 flrucl the People committed to your Charge, and to teach no- 
 thing C as reared of neceffity to eternal Salvation ) but that 
 which you fhall be perfwaded m*y be concluded and proved by 
 -the Scriptures ? 
 
 To the Firft you Anfwered, / am fo per/waded: To 
 
 the 
 
ts 3 
 
 the Second, / have fo determine! by Gods Grace. 
 
 That the Holy Scriptures Qonmn fuficiently, all Do&rine 
 required of neceflity to eternal Salvation : That is, That 
 they not only contain all fuch neceflary Do&rine, but in 
 fame place or other, fo detrly contain it, as that it may 
 beunuerftood by all thole, for whole Salvation the Scrip- 
 tures were defigned, I take it for granted you all firmly 
 believe; Ic being the main Foundation of the Religion ot 
 Proteftants, in oppofition to the Church of Rome, which 
 by averting the deficiency of the Holy Scriptures, in both 
 thefe refpe&s, hath thereby open'd a door to thofe many 
 Innovations She hath introdue'd into the Chriftian Do- 
 drine and Worihip, and may (if opportunity fliall ferve) 
 introduce as many more: I fliall not therefore infift up- 
 on this. That, which it may be more needful to fpeafc 
 to, is,- 
 
 Secondly, What by God's Grace you determined to do, 
 viz. To inftrucl the People committed to your Charge , out of 
 the [aid Scriptures ; and to teach nothing as required of 
 necefsity to eternal Salvation, but that which you fhall be per* 
 fwaded, may be concluded and proved by the Scriptures. 
 
 One of the prime Qualifications St. Paul requires in a 
 Paftor, is, That he be A//**r/*a*, not only able, but apt 2 Tim. 2. 24- 
 and ready to teach ; and elfewhere he defcribes him , as 
 one that labours in the Word and Doctrine-, and that 1 Tim. $.17* 
 this Labour in the Word and Doftrine , was Neceflary, 
 not only in the Apoftles days, when the Chriftian Reli- 
 gion was to be planted in the World; but is ftill.fb, is 
 manifeft, from the ends, for which he tells us, Ckrijl ap- 
 pointed Paftors and Teachers; which were not only the 
 converting of Infidels, the gathering of the Sheep that 
 were fcatter'd abroad into the Fold • but the perfecting ^Ephcf.4. 12. 
 the Saints, and the edifying of the Body of Chrijh 
 
 Tis indeed llrange, That any Man lhould think this 
 Work unneceflary, as long as there are Sinners to be con- 
 verted from the Error ot their ways, and Saints to be 
 
 edified 
 
[ 6 ] 
 in flirir frtefy Faith; as leng as Souls arc in fo 
 <f i ting L-rcrnallv loll , through the daily 
 A: ; i5I t! • W rki, the l :< ill, nnd the Devil. 
 
 And ic would be \tr more liinnge, if any Men who 
 oti h tftetewlvfca Wfoiflefo of rhe Church of hngland, Ihould 
 think rhey can b rented tiom it ; u hen in rhe Exhortati- 
 on b 'ore their receiving ofPneils Orders, they were told, 
 1 hat to teach, titrd to incmomfh, tojeek and provide for the 
 Lords Family, was that they were called unto. When up- 
 p's demand.:^;, v\ hether they were deicnnin'd 
 to inftru.ll the People coir muted to their Charge out of 
 the criprtires e 1 hey Aniwcrcd, Thty had fo determind 
 by Gods Grace. When in the very Woids of Ordination, 
 it uns Ifeticj upon them, as a Charge, To be faithful Dif- 
 p enters of the Word of God. 
 
 Now this Teaching is either pu&lick or private .• Of 
 the private I (hall ipeak, when 1 come to the next Quc- 
 ition lave one : That which is publick, is to be performed 
 rhc(e Two ways efpecially ■ lv P^^.hing and by Cate- 
 ch/fvig. And, 
 
 Pint as to Preaching, Confider that folernn and dread* 
 ft Tim. 4. i,2. ful Charge St. Paul lays upon Timothy, I charge thee be- 
 fore God, and the Lord Jefus Chr/ji , who /hall judge the 
 Quick and the Dead at his appearing , and his Kingdom, 
 19JMC& ti}C aCIOIli. Coniider alio, That our Church 
 hath enjoined every allow'd Preacher that is benei'ceJ, 
 . On. 45- to have a Sermon every Lord's Day tn the Tear, And as 
 a farther Enrorcemenr, That His Majeity hath charged 
 Letter to all the B :hops, To fee that the Clergy in their refpetlive 
 z h flLw! Wp0f Tfi^effes, be duly refdent upon their Livings, preaching the 
 Word of G.d plainly. 
 
 How aHiduotis many of the Ancients were in this part 
 
 of their Office, and how nccc larv they thought it (o to 
 
 be, I need not tell you; hut mcthinks a fcrious reflection 
 
 upon it, ihould make thole not only blu/h but tremble, 
 
 b live in the Negieft ol it , who are io iar from ol> 
 
 icrving 
 
C7 ] 
 ferving the Laws of our Church, while they boaft: of 
 more than ordinary Conformity to it, that they have not 
 perhaps more than, one Sermon in a Year, for two Bene- 
 fices. 
 
 Now,that we may in this way of Teaching, be fuccefs- 
 ful to the Salvation of our Hearers, we are here directed 
 both as to the Matter and the Manner of it. 
 
 Firfl, As to the Matter of our Preaching, it muft be 
 out ot the Holy Scriptures : But fince of the things con- 
 tain'd in the Holy Scriptures, fome are necejfan, fome are 
 profitable only ; and fince ofthefe things winch are only 
 profitable, fome are more, others are leis profitable,- our 
 Pulpit- Difcourfes Ihould be chiefly confined to thofe 
 Truths, which are necejfary or highly profitable, in order 
 to eternal Salvation ; omitting all School - Niceties, and 
 fubtle Difputes, which are ot no Practical Ufe; and ne- 
 ver let any Truth, which is calfd in queihon by none 
 of \our Hearers, be made a Matter oi Controvcrfie in 
 the Pulpit. 
 
 Endeavour effectually to convince your Hearers,how by 
 our Apoftafie from God, we have made our ielves obnox- 
 ious to His heavy Dilpleafure; and that there is a necellity 
 of a Mediator between Go J and Man. Shew them who this 
 Mediator is, and how he is qualified for this great Work; 
 what the Terms are, upon which God hath gracioufly 
 promlied to pardon our Sins, and how ready he is, upon 
 thele Terms, of Faith, Repentance, and iincere iuture O 
 bedience, to receive us into liis Favour : Prels thole Gra- 
 ces and Dunes moll, which are molt comprehensive, as 
 Tuttice and Chant), 'ieacii them to render to all their 
 dues, as tribute to whom tribute is due , enftom to whom 
 cujlom, & c . Kepi ei'cnt C H -\ K I 1 Y to tiiem, m all 
 tjioie branches of it, in u hicn it is described by Sr. Pml 
 in i Cor. 13. Set jour leJvjs e pecially againll tho!e 11ns, 
 which are molt vuible in your Auditors ; a? St. Paul, who 
 
 reaion'd 
 
[ 8 3 
 rcafon'd of Rightcoufiicfs and Chaftity, when he preach- 
 
 Mtn>2j. cd before an unjuft and adulterous Felix. More particu- 
 larly, in purfuance of His Majeflies Letter, preach fre- 
 quently againft profane Swearing, Perjury, Drunkenneft, 
 and Profanation of the Lords Day; and when fuch a 
 Sermon is to be preached, read to your People fuch Sta- 
 tute-Law 7 or Laws, as are provided againft that Sin, which 
 is the Subject of the Day : Which Statutes, together 
 with his Majeftics Letter, I have formerly fent you. And 
 let not only the more grofs Sins -of the Flefh, but the 
 more fubtle Sins of the Spirit, ( fuch as Pride, Envy, Ma- 
 lice, &5V. J be expofed to your People in their odious na- 
 ture, and aggravating Circurnftances. Acquaint them not 
 only with thole Duties, to which they are all in common 
 obliged, as they are men and Chriftians; but with thofe 
 fpecial Duties, which are incumbent upon them in their 
 different Ages, States and Relations. In fhort, let that be 
 the drift or your preaching, which is the defign of the 
 whole Gofpel of Chrift, To teach men to deny all Vngod- 
 
 Tifc 2. ii, 12. [ ine fi an j Worldly Lujls.and to live Soberly, Right eoujl.y and 
 Godly in this prefect World. 
 
 Secondly, As to the Manner of Preaching, paiiing over 
 other particulars, I fliall mention Three only at prefent, 
 Two of which are here fufficiently imply ed : Preach the 
 Word fincerely, plainly and afetlionately. 
 
 i. Sincerely; Which is implyed in thefe Words, That 
 yen will teach nothing as required of neceffity to eternal Sal- 
 ■vat ion, but that which you jhall be per] waded may be f roved 
 by the Scriptures. For Sincerity confifts, as in teaching 
 all that the Scripture makes nccefiary • loin teaching no- 
 thing for nccciiary, that is foreign to the Scripture; as 
 the GhurcH of Rome does in her new Creed, impofing ma- 
 ny Dodrines as nccciiary to Salvation, which are not on- 
 ly Strangers to the Scriptures, but plainly contrary to the 
 Doctrines, which are there taught. 
 
 2. Plainly, 
 
[9 ] 
 
 i. Plainly, and to the capacity of your Hearer. « which 
 is implyed in the Word injlrvM : For how can a man 
 inftrudted by a Difcourfe, which he knows not the mean- 
 ing of* He defeats the defign of his Preaching, and be- 
 trays his Hypocrifie, who renders that obfeure, which be 
 pretends to reveal. To which I add; 
 
 3. Preach Affectionately, with that warmth and earneft- 
 nefs of Spirit, which becomes matters of the greateft mo- 
 ment : It would grieve a Man to hear matters of the 
 greateft moment, lb coldly and drowfily delivered, as if 
 the Preacher did not himfelf believe what he (aid, and 
 were afraid left his Hearers ihould be brought to believe 
 it. O my Brethren, let us but ferioufly confider the inefti- 
 mable worth of fouls, the unvaluable price that was paid 
 for them, what danger they are in of being eternally 
 loft, how dreadful our accounts will fhortly be, if they 
 be loft through our flightnefs and lazinefs : Let us but 
 confider what Heaven and Hell mean, what it is to be 
 everlaftingly faved or damned, and we fhall then think 
 our greateft zeal and fervency, will be little enough, for 
 fiich a Work as this. 
 
 I fhall fay no more concerning Preaching, but proceed 
 to the next way of publick teaching, which is - 
 
 Secondly, By Catechifing, "or inftru&ing perfons in the 
 Principles of Religion : Which is indeed but a more fa- 
 miliar way of Preaching. This is a Duty laid upon you 
 by the Canon and Statute-Law both. The Fifty Ninth 
 Canon under a fevere Penalty, requires every Hector, Vi- 
 ew and Curate, upon every Lord's Day in the After noon , 
 to examine, and inftrutl the Touth, and the more ignorant 
 People of his Parijb in the Catechijm. The fame is made 
 your Duty by Ad: of Parliament, in the firft Rubrick 
 after the Catechifm ; and becaufe fome (who are apt e~ 
 nough to cenfurc their Brethren for breaking other Laws) 
 can too eafily difpenie with themfelves in this, His Ma- 
 jetty hath charged the Bijhops to fee, That all the fktwmfaj] 
 
 C /;/ 
 
C 10] 
 
 in their refpetlive Diocejjes do Catechife the Touth. To 
 which, if we add the Practice of the Apoftles, ( the great 
 Matter- Builders of the Church) who firft taught Men 
 the Principles of the Do&rine of Chrift : And laflly, the 
 voluntary Engagement you lye under to it, methinks no- 
 thing can be thought wanting to oblige you effectually 
 to this Duty. 
 
 But now ihould we fet afide all thefc Confiderations, 
 and confider only, how advantagious this Work is to the 
 Welfare of the Souls committed to our care,- the great 
 Benefits they would reap by it, the great Mifchiefs they 
 fall into by the Negled of it, one would think we fliould 
 need no other Motive to put us upon the diligent pra- 
 ctice of it. 
 
 What is the Reafon that our Sermons are generally of 
 ,o little effe£t ? That our People hear us year after year, 
 and many of them are never the wifer, are ever learning, 
 and never come to the Knowledge of the Truth ? One mam 
 Reafon doubtle/s, is, becaufe they were never prepared 
 to underftand our Sermons, and to profit by them, by 
 being firft more familiarly inflrufted in the Principles of 
 Religion. What's the Reafon, That many are io eafily 
 feduced to Error and Vice, but becaufe they were never 
 well rooted and grounded in the Faith ? Train up a Child 
 ; ; rov.22. o in the WO) thai he jhould go, and he will not depart from 
 it when he is old. 
 
 As therefore, my Brethren, you tender the Salvation 
 of your People, fet your (elves without delay, to this fo 
 advantagious and neceflary a Work : And that you may 
 do it the more '.ally, I give it you. in Charge, to 
 
 preach conftantiy in the Afternoon, upon fome part of 
 the Church Catccluim j and to Examine fome of the 
 Young People of your Parifh quite thorow it, as oft as 
 you preach upon it. And that Parents and Matters may 
 take the greater care to fend their Children and Servants, 
 to be inftru&ed by you, do not only frequently and ear- 
 
 neftJy 
 
C n ] 
 neftly exhort them to it, but thorowlv acquaint theft 
 with the great Benefits that will accrue, not < their 
 
 Children and Servants, but iikewife to themffelv^s there- 
 by; as their Children will by this means be render'd 
 more dutiful and obedient, and their Servants more faith- 
 ful and diligent. 
 
 Having iolcmnly declared, That Ton are per/waded, tk 
 the Holy Scriptures contain fufficieutly all Doctrine required 
 of neceffity to eternal Salvation 5 and that you wert deter* 
 mind out of 'the [aid Scriptures, to injirutt the People com- 
 mitted to your Charge : In the next place you promil 
 To give your faithful diligence always Jo to minifter the Do- 
 tlrine^ Sacraments and Dijcipline ofChrift, as the Lord i 
 commanded, and as this Church and Realm hath received 
 fame, according to the commandment of God • that is, as God 
 hath prescribed in the Holy Scriptures. 
 
 Of Miniflring the Doctrine of thrifty I have already f pa- 
 ken, in what I have (aid about Preaching and Catechif- 
 ing. 
 
 As to the Sacrament of Baptifm, I iliall at prefent on- 
 ly put you in mind of fomefew things, which are either 
 exprefly or implicitly required by the Ru bricks. 
 
 Fir fly Let your People know, That Baptifm being the 
 folemn Admiilion of a Perfon into the publick Society of 
 Chriftians, it is very unbecoming its Nature and Defign, 
 to have it adminifter'd in private. Admonifh them there- Rubrick be- 
 fore to bring their Children to be baptiz'd in the publick B^ tl £ nvate 
 Congregation, left by their refufmg fo to do, Chrift fhould ap " 
 reckon them in the number of thofe, who are alhamed of 
 him and his Religion before men. 
 
 Secondly, Admoniih your People, That it is mod convc- 
 r, that Baptifm ihould not be adminiftcr'd, but upon Rubr.befbw 
 Sundays and Holy-days, when thegreateft number ofFco- p ubI »ck I 
 come together; becaufe in the Baptifm of Infants/' 
 
 C 1 every 
 
[ \i 3 
 
 every Man prefent, may be put in remembrance of his 
 own Profcflion, made to God in his Captifjn. Exhort 
 them therefore diligently to attend throughout the whole 
 Admimtlration, to refleft upon their pa ft lives, and to 
 confider how far they have kept, and wherein they have 
 broken their Baptifmal Vow. 
 
 Ruhr before Thirdly, Admonifh your People, not to defer the Baptifiaj 
 private Bap. of thdr Ch u dren j onger t l ian the fir ft or recond $ unc j ay 
 
 next after their Birth, left by unneceilary delay the Child 
 die, before it be dedicated to the Service of the Lord 
 .us. 
 
 Fourthly, I add, (as. being nearly allied toBaptifm) That 
 
 you take due care to prepare the young People of your 
 
 Can. 6u Pariihes for Confirmation : So foon as Children are come 
 
 Rubr after to a competent Age, and can fay in their Mother Tongue, the 
 
 thecatech.fm Cx ^ the LoRfs Prayer? m j the Ten Commandments, 
 
 And can anfwer to the other Queflions in the jhort Catechifm, 
 they are to be brought to the Bifhop to be confirm d : But they 
 are not to be thought to be of a competent age, ( tho' 
 they can repeat the Words ) till they be capable of know- 
 ing the meaning of them, and their own great Concern- 
 ment therein. For what profit can they receive by Con- 
 firmation, unlefs they underftand what the defign of it 
 is, and the Obligation they take upon themfelves there- 
 by ? And this, my Brethren, is to be your care. You 
 Ruhr after arc rehired cither to bring or fend in writing, with your 
 the Catechifm hand iubferibed thereunto, the Names of all fuch Pcrfons 
 within your Pariihes, as you ill a 1 1 think fit to be preferr- 
 ed to the Biihop to be confirmed : And how can you 
 think them fit, before you have examined them, and find 
 that they have a competent knowledge ot thefe things, 
 and are ^willing to confent to the Vow that was made 
 in their Names, and to take it upon themfelves ? 
 
 As to the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, ( the too ge- 
 
 nerai 
 
C«J] 
 
 neral negle& of which, is juft matter of lamentation) 
 make your People know that they are not left at liberty, 
 whether they will receive it or not; but that it is a necef- 
 fary Duty laid upon them, by the expreis command cf 
 Chrift: That if they fincerely love Chrift, or have any 
 Value for Chrift'* Love to them, they will need no o: 
 motive to induce them to it ; That it is their Duty to 
 receive it, not only fbmetime or other before they die, 
 C perhaps at their laft breath) but frequently while they 
 live, if they have opportunity : That the fir ft Chriftians 
 made it a conftant part of their publick Worlhip. And I 
 befeech you to adminifter it in your Churches, as often 
 as you can get a convenient number together to receive 
 it ; to be lure, io often that every perfon may have op- 
 portunity of receiving it at lead three times in the Year. 
 
 As to Difcipline, obferve more efpecially the Kubrick 
 before the Communion, in keeping back thofe Offenders 
 from the Lords Table, whom you are there required not 
 to admit, Q viz. Notorious evil Livers, or fuch as have done 
 any wrong to their Neighbours, by which the Congregation is 
 offended) and in giving an Account of them to the Or- 
 dinary. 
 
 And here, my Brethren, I defire you ferioufly to con- 
 fider, That in this, and in your Anfwer to the next Que- 
 ftion, Youpromiied faithful diligence, in doing the Duties 
 of your Office ; fomany and io weighty indeed are they, 
 that the utmoft diligence imaginable, is little enough for 
 the due performance of them; our Comfort is, all that 
 God requires Is faithful diligence. If we do not chufc to 
 ncgleft any Duty, or to do it careleily ; but fincerely 
 endeavour to perform them all as we ought, in what we 
 fall fliort, God will be merciful to us, and graciouily ac- 
 cept the Will for the Deed. And this is the leaft thac 
 God will accept ; be not therefore flothful in this great 
 bufinefs, but apply your felves conftantly to your WorK, 
 and whatsoever jour hand finds to do, do it rvitb all your 
 
 might. 
 
L 14 1 
 might. I might tell you, that the nature and defign of 
 our Work requires this; That the Names by which we 
 are in Scripture fignified, (as Stewards, Ministers, Shep- 
 herds, Watchmen, Labourers ) do all import diligence 
 and induftry; that the Work is of all others, the moft 
 excellent, worthy of all the pains we can lay out upon 
 it; I might fet before yon the example of our Welled 
 Saviour, and his Apoflles, of all thofc faithful Paftors 
 who have gone before us : But I fhall only add for your 
 encouragement, That your Recompence from God,, will 
 be proportionable to your labour; by how much the 
 more abundant you are in this work of the Lord, by fo 
 much the more abundant will vour Reward in Heaven 
 be. 
 
 But to proceed. 
 
 Tn the next place you promifed theft Two Things in 
 -the general. 
 
 I. That you would be ready with all faithful dili- 
 
 gence to banifh and drive away all errone- 
 ous and ft range Dotirines contrary to Q 
 Word. 
 
 I I. To ufe both publick and private Monitions and 
 
 Exhortations, as well to the Sick as to the 
 Whole within your Cures, as need /hall re- 
 quire, and occa/ion fhall be given. 
 
 Fir si ^ That You would be ready with all faithful diligence, 
 to lanifh and drive away all erroneous and flrange Doctr 
 contrary to God's Word. Concerning w inch Ob.'crvc • 
 
 1. That the Erroneous Dotirines here meant, arc thole 
 only, which your People (fbmecf them at lead) are 
 already infeuted with ; for no Errors can be banilhcd from 
 them, but thofc which they have given entertainment to. 
 
 As 
 
C 15 ] 
 As for other Errors, which they know nothing of, never 
 fo much as mention them, left by acquainting your Peo- 
 ple therewith, you may endanger their being inihared by 
 them. Obferve, 
 
 2. That though all Erroneous DoQrincs, are with faith* 
 ful diligence, yet not all with equal diligence to be oppo- 
 sed; but as the Errors are more or lefs mifchievous, fo 
 our Zeal againft them ought in proportion to be more 
 or lefs. Some Errors there are which do not touch any 
 part of the Foundation, which have no vifible tendency 
 to an evil Life, or to the difturbance of the Peace of the 
 Church : Others there are which oppofe fome Articles 
 of our Creed, as that Chrift is nor the Eternal Son of God,, 
 begotten of the Father before all Worlds, &c. and which 
 are inconfiftent with Peace and Holinefs. The former 
 fort do not deferve to be oppofed with fo much Zeal as 
 the later, againft which we can never too earneftly con- 
 tend : Of which for inftance, are thefe ; That no Man 
 is bound to repent of his Sins till he come to die- That 
 ChrilVs Righteoufnefs is fo made ours, that we need do 
 nothing our (elves in order to the obtaining of Eternal 
 Salvation, &c. 
 
 Secondly, The next thing you promifed, was, To ufe 
 both publick and private Monitions and Exhortations, as well 
 to the Sick as to the Whole within your Cures, as need fhall 
 require, and occafion (hall be given. 
 
 Firft, fo the whole ; To ufe not only publick but priv 
 Monitions and Exhortations, as need [hall require. And tru- 
 ly, my Brethren, there is commonly but too great need of 
 this : For the Reproofs and Exhortations we ufe in pub- 
 lick, being not dircfted to this or that Pcrfon in parti- 
 cular, but to all in common, who are guilty of the Sin 
 reproved, or of the Negledt of the Duty exhorted to : 
 They who are concerned, do commonly find (ome way 
 to fhift them off' from themielves,- but when you ad- 
 drefs to each Sinner in particular, and plainly tell him, 
 
 that 
 
[ 1$ ] 
 
 ttiat be is the Man, who Jives in the pra&icc of this or 
 
 t known Sin, fifa he can then find no way to make 
 Efcape. 
 
 And here, my Brethren, I befcech you, not to be (Gran- 
 gers to your People; but as you have leifure and oppor- 
 tunity, to go to their Houfes, and acquaint your felves 
 familiarly with them, that you may the better know, 
 what their particular Tempers and Inclinations are, what 
 are the Prejudices they lie under, what the Temptations 
 they are moil obnoxious to, and may accordingly apply 
 your felves to them. By one hours familiar Difcourfe with 
 them in private, you may work more good upon them, 
 than by many Sermons in publick. Publick Preaching 
 has, I grant, this great Advantage, that therein you fpeak 
 to many, and by confequence may do good to many at 
 once ; but an Application to a Sinner in private, is ulually 
 much more efte&ual, as to him in particular. 
 
 To fatisfie you, that this is your Duty, I need not tell 
 you, that St. Paul taught not only pubhcklv, but from 
 
 •• he had opportunity) to wain every Maft\ not all colle- 
 ctively, but every ont apart, as the Words in the origi- 
 nal import ; That he exhorted and comforted, amd charg- 
 iThef, 2. ii. ed every one. It will be enough to tell you, That to re- 
 Luke a finning Brother, and to exhort one anoihr, are the 
 bounden Duties even of private Christians, 
 much more of thole, who by their Oirici 
 over Souls, and to give an Account to God for them : 
 But fijppofe this were not made your Duty antecedent- 
 ly by God, yet you have made it fo Your id\cs, by 
 your voluntary Promife to perform it. 
 
 But that this weight}- Work of private InftruJtion, Ex- 
 hortation, Admonition and Kcproof, may be the more fuc- 
 cefsfully managed, take the mo ft convenient fcafons for it, 
 when the Pcrions arc the molt apt to be wrought upon; - 
 end do it with that meekneis and demonftration of love, 
 
 that 
 
[17 ] 
 that it may plainly appear to your People, that you do 
 it out of meer Kindnets and tender Companion to their 
 
 Souls. 
 
 Secondly, The next thing you Vowed, was, Faithful 
 folioence in your Monitions and Exhortations to fick V 
 Which is a Work of the gaateft moment, in o; 
 to the engaging them to a HOLY Life, if they reco- 
 ver ; or the preparing them for a Happy Death, if they 
 be taken away by their ficknefs ; and therefore rcquij 
 proportionable care in the management of ic. To fee a 
 lbul entring upon the other World, likely within a few 
 hours to be in an endleis ftate of happinefs or mifery in- 
 expreflible, fhould, methinks, make us beftir our 111. 
 to fave it from Death, before it be too late. 
 
 Do not therefore ftay till you be fent for, but go to 
 them of your own accord. Deal faithfully, and withal 
 prudently with them about the ftate of their fouls. If you 
 find them grofly ignorant, inftrudt them ( as you have 
 opportunity ) in thofe Truths which are abfolutely necef- 
 fary to be known. If they be fuch as have lived in 
 any notorious fin, or whom you have great Reafon to 
 fear are meer ftrangers to a Holy Life, labour to awaken 
 them, by the mod moving Confiderations, to a fenfe of 
 their (in and danger ; but let them withal know, that 
 their Cafe is not fo defperate, but that there is dill ground 
 of hope concerning them : Shew them the greatnefs of 
 that Salvation which Chrift hath purchafed for them, and 
 upon what Terms it may be ftill obtained by them. And 
 thxigh in their ficknefs they cannot give Proof of the 
 finceritv of their Repentance, by refilling and overcom- 
 ing thofe Temptations which formerly prevailed over 
 them; vet put them upon all that which in their prefent 
 circumftances they are capable of doing; upon confeffinj; 
 their (in 5 and imploring the mercy of God thro' Chrift ; 
 upon patient fubmiilion to God's good pleafure ; upon 
 forgiving thofe from the heart who have offended them « 
 
 D and 
 
C x8 ] 
 and upon making Reftitution (as far as they are able) 
 for any Injuries they may have done to others; upon 
 Refolutions and folemn Promifes , by the afliftance of 
 God's Grace, of forfaking their former fins, and of lead- 
 ing a new Life, if God ihall pleafe to raife them up a- 
 gain. And if they recover, go to them again, and f.ri- 
 oufly mind them of the Vows they made upon their 
 fick beds, and. quicken ihem to the performance of 
 them. Do not fail to let them know , ihat their condi- 
 tion will be much more deplorable, if they fhall again 
 relapfe into their old fins. 
 
 In the next place, thefe Queftions were proposed to vou, 
 Will you be diligent in Prayers, and in reading of the Holy 
 Scriptures, and in fuch /Indies as help to the Knowledge of 
 the fame, laying afide the ft tidy of the World and the Fle[h ? 
 To which you Anfwered : / mil endeavour my /elf fo to 
 do, the Lord being my Helper. So that ) ou promifed by 
 God's Help thefe Four Things : 
 
 I. That you would be diligent in Prayers. 
 
 II. That you would be diligent, in reading the Ho- 
 ly Scriptures. 
 
 III. In fuch ftudies as would help to the Knowledge 
 of the fame. And therefore, 
 
 IV. That you would lay afide the ftudy of the 
 World and the Flefh. 
 
 bird, That you would be diligent in Prayers. That is, both 
 in publick and private Prayers. 
 
 i. In publick Prayers. Which we ought more efpeci- 
 ally to attend to, fince G O D is much more honou- 
 red by our publick Addrelles to him, than he can be by 
 thofe which are made to him in private; and becaule 
 we our (elves may expe£t a greater Bleiling from thofe 
 Prayers which are put up to God by many joyntly, than 
 from thofe which are put up by our finglc felves. As 
 
 there- 
 
[ JS J 
 
 therefore anciently a Morning and Evening Sacrifice v 
 every day publickly offered up to God in the Tempi. 
 Jerujaltm ; fo I heartily recommend it to you, my Bre- 
 thren, That in all your Pariflics, where a Congregation 
 (though but a fmall one J can be got together, you would 
 every day have Morning and Evening Prayer in your 
 Churches. And that you read the Prayers not partially, 
 but entirely; and with fuch ferioufnefs as becomes thei 
 as may invite all pioufly-difpofed People to them, and 
 quicken their Devotion when they are at them. I know 
 not how any Minifter can difpenie with himfclf in this 
 matter, or what Salvo he can have for his Conscience, 
 who does otherwile. But though publick Prayers be the 
 more excellent ,• yet, 
 
 2. This cannot excufe you from being diligent in pri- 
 vate Prayers ; and that both for your People, and for 
 your felvcs. 
 
 Firft, Pray much and earneftly for your People : Of 
 this St. Paul hath fet us an Example, as he himfelf tefti- 
 fies in his Epiftles ; thus be pra> ed for the Cohffians, Thai 
 they might be filled with the Knowledge of the will of God, Color: u 9 
 in all Wifdom and fpirit ual Under ft anding, that thy might 
 walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleafing 9 bein? fruitful in 
 every good wo>k t Thus he pray'd for the Ephefians, That 
 tht Cod of our L§rd lefus Ghnll, the Father of Glory, would E P hef ^' - 
 give unto them, the fpirit of Wifdom and Revelation in the ' ' * 7, ' 
 /' no .vie dge of him ; the eyes of thtir undtrflanding btinv en- 
 lightened; that they might know what is the hope of his 
 Calling, &c. That God would grant them according to the 
 richer of his Glory, to be flrengthend with all might, by his^fj'^ 1 ^ 1 
 fpirit in the inner Man ; that Cbritt might dwell in their 
 hearts by Faith, &C. Thus he tells the Romans, That with- 
 out ce*fi»g ht made mention of them always in his Prayers. Rom * ! *> 
 In like manner he prayed for the Philip, xns ; Always (lays 
 he ) and in every Prayer of mine for you all, making re%*t (I W1, c ' * 
 mth joy. He thought it not enough to pray once or twice, 
 
 D z but 
 
but he ceafed not ftill to pray for them. It cannot be 
 thought, that any Paftor, who aims, as he ought, at the 
 falvation of his People, can foibear to pray for them. 
 
 Secondly, Pray conflantly and earneitly for your (elves. 
 For fuch affiftances of God s h >ly fpirit, as may imble you 
 rightly to difcharge the Duties of your holy Calling. We 
 2 Cor. 3. 5 are not (ufficient of otr ftlves, t) think Any thin? as of our 
 fehesy but all our Jitfflciency is of God. We made our Or- 
 dination Vow in expectation of, and dependance upon 
 Gods help. / mil dj fo by tht he'p of the Liri\ I 'iv/7. 
 Lord bang my h Iper. And we need not doubt of God's 
 help, if we fincerely and importunately pray for it ; for 
 Luk. n. 1?. he hath pr omifed his Holy Spirit to them that ask it 5 That 
 is, all the Gifts of his Holy Spirit, we ftand in need of. 
 But to proceed : 
 
 z. You promifed, To be diligent in rending the Holy 
 
 Scriptures. And, 
 3. Injuch fludics as help to ths knowledge of the fame. 
 
 I put them both together for brevities fake. 
 
 1 Tim. 4. 13. St. Paul commanded Timothy y to give attendance to r 
 
 ing, viz. of the Holy Scriptures ; and that not only in 
 publick to others, but alfo in private ; that he himfelf 
 mi^ht be the more thoroughly inftru&ed in them. And 
 if this was needful for Timothy, who had learn'd the Ho- 
 ly Scriptures from a Child, it will I fear, be much more 
 needful for many of us. The Scriptures were infpired by 
 God to this very end, That the man of God ( that is the 
 „ Minifter of the Gofpel) might be throuMj fumifhei to all 
 
 ' good works. That he might be inftruftcd in every part 
 of the Duty which belongs to his Office ; whether it be 
 to teach, or to reprove, or to correct, or to inftruft in 
 righteoufnefs. Out of this facred repofitory, and this 
 only, we may be fupplyed with whatfoever is necefla- 
 ry for us and our People, to know, and to believe, and 
 to do. I 
 
C xi ] 
 
 I therefore earneftly prefs you to the ftudy of the Ho- 
 ly Scriptures day and night ; to get fuch parts ol th 
 by heart, as may be of moft frequent and neceiTarv i 
 that ^vou may have them in readinefs upon allocea ions. 
 
 And in your reading of diem, to obferve th >(e pi 
 which are moir obicure, to compare them with the Ori- 
 ginals, and with the words coherent; to confult ibmc 
 one or more of the beft Commentators upon them, that 
 you may attain to the true fenfe of them. And for thoi . 
 who have leifure and ability for it to read the Fathers, 
 at leaft,of the three firft Centuries ; the Hiftory and Anti- 
 quities of the Church; the B*hylonian 9 PerfianfireekyRoman 
 and Jewijh Antiquities ; and fuch other parts of Learning, 
 without which many places of Scripture cannot be u 
 underftood. And that you may be thus diligent in Pray- 
 er, and in reading and ftudying the Holy Scriptures. 
 
 Fourthly , You promifed To lay afiAe the flu Ay cf tftt 
 World and the Fltfb. For the more you ftudy the World, 
 the lefs will you ftudy the Holy Scriptures ; the n. 
 you confult the eafe and pleafure of the Flefh, the lef 
 will you attend to the pleafing of God, and the favin 
 Souls. In what degree foever your affe&ions are fet upon 
 the things on the Earth, in that they will necelTarily be- 
 taken off from the things above. O remember, That eve- 
 ry Cleigy-man is a man of God y dedicated to him in a 
 more eminent fervice than others are ; and that you rob 
 God of all that time and ftudy, which are needlefly (pent 
 upon other matters. Remember, that you are obliged, 
 not only by your Baptifmal Vow, to renounce the World 
 and the Fleih, as Lay Chriftians alfo are ; but more clofe- 
 ly bound to it than they, by this folemn Vow you madt; 
 at your Ordination. Let it appear to all Men, that 
 pay your Vows by your living above this World, and 
 having your Conversion io Heaven, 
 
 In 
 
to. 
 
 [ " ] 
 
 In the next place you profiled tbcfi tw j thiflgs: 
 
 I. That Tcu would, be diligent to frame and fajbion 
 
 was y our 0)Vn f^ ves an ^ y° llr Fam *t* es > according to the 
 
 made the Doftrine cfChrifi. And u hich is fomewhat more, 
 
 jeft of the ]j f makt both your ftlves // i them, as much as in 
 
 whJe Charge . , r i r r- » « / 
 
 at another )' 0H y ef "7 wbolefomt Examples and Par terns to the 
 
 place \ and Flock of Christ, 
 
 ,fore is 
 
 here the more 
 
 briefly fpoken J^v/?, You promiied to be diligent, To frame your own 
 /elves according t) the Doctrine of Chrifi . to have your 
 Converfation in all things fiiitable to the Gofpel you 
 preach. He can never be ferioufly concerned for other 
 mens fouls, who has not firft a care of his own ; nor 
 make it his chief ftudy to cenduft others in the rut 
 way that leads to Lift, who walks himfelf in the broad way 
 that leads to dt/iruftion. But fuppofe he could fince 
 endeavour todeftroy that fin in others which he cherifhes 
 in himfelf; yet what iuccefs can he in reafbn expedt ? 
 Can it be thought that his People fhoul j pa\ any regard 
 to what he lays, when they fee that he does not regard 
 it himfelf I Can they think, that he does in good earneli 
 believe what he preaches, when he unpreaches the fame 
 again in his life I And is it then likely, that the}' fhould 
 believe it, cfpecially w hen it thwarts their beloved Lufts ? 
 But if there fhould be any among us, whom this Con 
 fideration docs not alTlft ; ) et methinks it fhould aw akin 
 them to consider, That a vicious Preacher, is in a much 
 more miserable and deplorable Condition, than a vicious 
 •; becauiehis fins are much more aggravated, and 
 consequently > his Punifhment will beproporti< nably more 
 intolerable. 1 h< u that teacheft another Man ihould not 
 be drunk, if thou art a Drunkard ; 1 hou that preacheii 
 another fhould not be covetous, or proud, or contentious, 
 if thou art fo thy felf, thy own St will rift up in 
 
 Judgment againll thee ; out of thy own Mouth {halt thou 
 
 be 
 
[ *3 ] 
 be condemned to that utter darknefs thou haft warned o~ 
 thers to make their efcape from ; and (halt have the dark- 
 eft and mod difmal Portion in it. But this is not all: I r, 
 2. Thatmeafure of Grace and Holine's which mayfuf- 
 fice for a Lay man , will not be enough for thofe who 
 are to be their Guides. You cann t go to Heaven at (b 
 cheap a rate, as your People can; as your Calling is 
 more holy, and (land in a nearer Relation to God, fo al- 
 io mull >our Lives be You mud: be Patterns of all thole 
 Graces and Vertues you recummend to them ; that they 
 by looking upon you, may be able to difcern wherein 
 they are defective. In all things fbemng thy ft If a Pattern 
 cf good. Works, iais St. Paul to Titus* which he alio gives Tit. 2. 7 
 in charge to Timothy, Be thou an Example to the BeUez 
 in word, in converfation, in charity, in fpirit, in faith, in r _ 
 purity. Which Commands, though given to thofe who 
 were of the higher, yet are in proportion applicable to 
 thofe of the lower Order of the Clergy : For as Bifh 
 ought to be Examples to the inferiour Clergy, fb the in* 
 feriour Clergy ought to be Examplts to the Laity. 
 
 It is indeed the Duty of all , even the moft vulgar 
 Chriftians, if compared with the men of the World, to 
 be Patterns to them ; fo oar Saviour tells his Difciples, 
 1 hat they were to be the /alt of the Earth, and the Ifabt 
 of the world; and commands them to let their light fo 
 fhine before men, that others feeing their good Works* miaht M> l6 - 
 glonfie their Father which is in Heaven. What then is Re- 
 quired of you, my Brethren, who ought to be Examples 
 to them, who are to be Examples to the red of Manki: 
 what manner of Perfons ought you to be, in all holy Converfa* 
 tr>n and Gcdlwefs ? 
 
 Nor muft we only endeavour to frame our felvcs, but 
 our Families too, according to the Do&rine of Chrift • 
 and to make them Examples to other Families,- to make 
 our Children and Servants, as much as in us lycth, Ex- 
 amples to thofe of others, in all thofe Graces and Duties, 
 
 which 
 
[ H ] 
 ivch are proper to thole Relations: Which muftbc 
 done b^ more fully inftruSing them in their relp 
 
 \ by frequentl} premng their Duties upon them 
 
 by iuch Conlidera is may be of power to over-awe 
 
 ufcienceSj and oblige them to the performance 
 
 thereof; and by hearty Prayers to God, to make our 
 
 endeavours this way fuccefsful. 
 
 There is one thing more in your Ordination- Vow, 
 which I frail but very briefly recommend to ycur Con- 
 fideration and Praftice ; and that is, 11) At yon will m 
 cl jet forward *\ much as Lieth in you, qu'et;,(Js y p 
 and lovt among all ChnHLvi-Veopk ; efpecially ■ 'hem 
 
 ) are, or (ball < ' } your chat 
 
 As to make peace, not only between God and Man, 
 but alio between man and man, was one great thing our 
 bit fled Saviour had in his eye, when he came into the 
 World ; \o y in order thereunto, he hath enjoyne ' the Pra- 
 ctice of all thofe Vermes, which tend to the Ixgeitinj, and 
 promoting of Peace, and hath forbidden all thole ill-na- 
 tur'd qualities, that are Enemies to it. As he hath com- 
 12.18. manded, ifitbefofjtbky as 
 
 peaceably with all men: bo he hath preiled U:> with great 
 I T , 2, 3. variety of the mod powerful Arguments, 
 
 . am much -ice his 0, th;t 
 
 he is (tiled the PRINCE of Peace, and his Golpel 
 is called, the Gofpel < f 1 eace. As therefore we arc the 
 Ambv f this Prin l ol Peace, and intruded with 
 
 the difpenl f his Golpel c I Pe e, w t ai c all 
 
 other men in the World, { I, to the utmoft ol 
 
 power, to pre 1 ces ; and to m.1111- 
 
 taii >te Pea< o among our People. 
 
 To that end, go to them that you Ik ,nce, 
 
 to j _m jvi til - el their 
 
 • ■ their P mu- 
 
 >ndefcenti< n ; and by all other fair means to rr 
 1: Ever remembring, That, Bt\ 
 
 
C xy 3 
 
 are the Peacemakers for they fhall be called the Children of Mat. 5.9. 
 God. 
 
 To the Jaft part of your Ordination- Vow, Qviz. That 
 you mil reverently obey your Ordinary, and other chief Mi- 
 nijters, to whom is committed the Charge and Government 
 over you, &c. ) I ihall fay nothing, but leave it to your own 
 Confciences to comment upon it, prefumingyou will be 
 impartial therein, and lefs favourable to your felves than 
 I fhould be. 
 
 There is one thing ftill behind, that I muft give you 
 in Charge, and that is, The ftrid: obfervation ot theCa- Can. ** 
 non againft clandeftine Marriages. I hope thofe who pra- 
 ctice contrary to it, are in comparifon but tew, ( not- 
 withftanding the many Complaints which have been made 
 to me about it) That they are no other than the idle, loofe 
 and vagrant; that is, the Scum and Refute of the Clergy, 
 who drive on this fcandalous Trade : For I cannot per- 
 fwade my felf, That any Man who has not very much 
 debauch'd his Confcience, and loft all fenfe of Honour 
 and Reputation, can be eafily prevailed with to make 
 fuch Marriages, coniidering how exprels and fevere the 
 Laws of our Church are again ft them; and coniidering 
 the many fins and mifclnefs which are the ufual Conse- 
 quents of them. 
 
 I lhall pafs over thofe which are of a more general ex- 
 tent, and only mention a few of thole Ecclehaincal Con- 
 ilitutions, which more particularly relate to our own 
 Church. 
 
 In a Council conven'd at Wtflminfler in the Year 1 
 
 I7C 
 
 >'i 
 
 it was Ordain'd, That if any Prieft ihall be found to have 
 >.}ncd any in Marriage clandestinely, he (bail be fuipend- 
 ed from his Office for the (pace of Three Years*. 
 
 In a Council held after this, m the Church of St. Pauls 
 in London in the "Year 132.8, it was decreed, That all Lynw.1.4. 
 Priefts who ihall prefume to be prefent at any Matrimo- T> 1 *- c J 
 mal Contra&s, before the iolemn publication of Banns, 
 
 £ (hall 
 
Tit. ?. c. 2. 
 
 C x«3 
 
 fliall be fufpcnded from their Office for three Years. And 
 that every Pried, whether Secular or Regular, who (hall 
 without the fpecial leave of the Dioccfan , prcfumc to 
 .bratc Marriage in any place but a Church or Chap- 
 pel, which hath Parochial Rights, (hall be fu pended a 
 whole Year ah Officio. 
 
 In another Council held at St. Pauls London, in the 
 Lynw. l. 4. Year 1341, it was decreed, That all Priefts who fliall pre- 
 fume to Le prefentat any clandeftine Marriages, fhall ip- 
 Jo faclo incur the Sentence of Excommunication ; and fliall 
 be pubhckly denounced lour times every year. Which 
 Decrees are (till in force, by the Statute of the z$th. of 
 Hen. 8. C. 19. 
 
 but we need not look fo far back ; one would think, 
 it might be fufficient, to confider the 6zd. Canon, made in 
 the Convocation in the year 1603. In which every Mi- 
 nifter upon pain of Sufpenfion for three years ipfo fatlo, is 
 prohibited to Celebrate Matrimony between any Perlons 
 without a Licenfe, except the Banns of Matrimony have 
 been firft publifh'd three feveral Sundays or Holy-days, 
 in the Panlh Churches or Chappels, where the faid Par- 
 ties dwell. And is alfo upon the like Penalty prohibited, 
 under any pretence whatfoever, to joyn any Perfons fo 
 licenfed, in Marriage, at any time but between the hours 
 of 8 and n in the Morning • or in any place, but in the 
 laid Churches or Chappels where one ot themdwelleth. It 
 is not enough barely to have a Licence, if the Cireumftan- 
 ces of Time and Place be not duly oblen ed, you incur the 
 Penalty of three years Sufpenfion. 
 
 And as our Church hath fee fuch a ftricft Fence about 
 Marriages, fo there was great Reafon fhe ihould be fo fe- 
 vere in puniihing thole that break thorough it; confider- 
 ing thole enormous Sins, and thole intolerable Milchiefs, 
 winch are the utual Attendants and Confequcnts of Clan- 
 deftine Marriages. 
 
 One too common eflcft of fuch Marriages, is the Sin 
 
 of 
 
C *7l 
 
 of Inceft, in joyning thofe Perlons in Matrimony who are 
 within the Degrees prohibited. In one of thole Ecclefi- 
 aftical Laws, I have now recited, this is mencion'd as the 
 Reafon of it, A Proof of which ( as I am iniorm'd ) you 
 have lately had, in Two Inceduous ClandeUine Marriages 
 made in this Diocefs. 
 
 Another Sin ufually attendant on thefe Marriages, is 
 the violating the Rights ol Parents, and contempt of their 
 Authority. Nor do they only deprive Parents of the 
 Duty of their Children, but in efFefl: of their Children 
 themfelves; which is one of the word fort of Thefts, 
 and deferves a much more fevere Puniihment, than many 
 other Thefts, which are by our Laws punilhed with 
 Death. 
 
 The Difhonour they refleit upon our Church, and our 
 Holy Profeilion, is intolerable; fo much hath the Repu- 
 tation of the Clergy been thereby leflen'd, that it hath 
 been moved more than once, in the great Council of 
 the Nation, that this Work might be taken out of their 
 hands, and intrufted to others, who might be more faith- 
 ful in the Execution of it. 
 
 How mifchievous thefe Marriages commonly prove to 
 the Parties fo Married, and to their Children after them; 
 how fatal they often are to confiderable Families, even 
 to the ruine of them; and confequently, What Mifchiefs 
 do hence redound to the Publick, I need not tell you. I 
 forbear to proceed to other particulars, becaufe thefe al- 
 ready mention'd, will, I hope, be fufficient, to deter eve- 
 ry man from this fcandalous Practice, who hath not finn'd 
 away all Confcience and ^>hame. 
 
 What remains, but that I charge the Church wardens 
 under Pain of Perjury, to preient all thofe Ministers, 
 whom they either know, or have been credibly iniorm'd 
 have been this way guilty. And if the Church-wardens 
 ihall neglect their Duty, I befeech you, my Brethren, to 
 take care, that they may be lome way or other prefented; 
 
 that 
 
E *8 ] 
 chat I may take care to fee them puniflied according m 
 Law. And if any Minifters (hall after this Admonition 
 given them, proceed to make fuch Marriages, as thinking 
 their Danger will be paft, as foon as the Visitation (hall 
 be over, I (hall not fail, upon Information given me, to 
 execute the Canon in its rigour againft them. 
 
 To Conch: 
 
 Let us now, my Brethren, ferioufly reflect upon what 
 hath been fpoken. Let'us confider the Trufl: committed 
 to us, the Vows that are upon us, the Account we muft 
 Shortly give to the Almighty, All-feeing and Impartial 
 Judge; the dreadful Woe we lhall incur, if we be falfc 
 to our Trufl: ; the Glorious Reward we (hall have, if we 
 be faithful. For your Peoples fake, if you defire to fave 
 them : For your own fakes, if you defire to fave your 
 (elves, and would not be condemned to a more intole- 
 rable Hell, than the word of your People (hall be con- 
 demned to: For God's fake, if you have any regard to 
 his Commands; For Jefus's fake, if you have any Love 
 for him, Feed his Flock which he hath purchafed with his 
 own Blood • feed them, not by conftraint, but willingly $ not 
 for filthy Lucre-, but of a ready mind. Be inftant in feafon 
 and out of Je.ijon. Reprvvt, rebuke, exhort, kith all low 
 fuffering and patience : Make full proof of your Mimjlry- 
 1 hat jo when the Chief Shepherd fhall appear, yon may re- 
 ceive a Crown of Glory } which jadeth not away. 
 
 FINIS. 
 

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