bour: we fhall lose the esteem of part of those whose improvement by us depends on their efteeming us; and fet a bad inftead of a good example to the reft. Let every one of us therefore be very watchful over our conduct : or, if we have not been fo, let us amend it: and if we find preserving our innocence difficult, let us meddle the lefs with these matters: for indeed, being over busy about them is not very fuittable to our function. But, while we are strict with ourselves, let us be very mild in regard to others, whom we think to have done amifs: we may blame them without cause; or if we do not, it is easy to err; and we, amongst others, are sadly liable to faults. But let us be efpecially mild towards our own brethren. For why should we diminish our little remaining ftrength by inteftine diffenfions, and teach yet more perfons to think, ill or meanly of us, than do already? Surely the common cause of religion and virtue, which we are jointly intrufted to fupport, fhould have infinitely greater force to unite us, than any thing else to divide us.

Next to yourselves, you will ftudy to preferve as many of your parishioners as poffible, from the fins that Jo easily befet them at these seasons of epidemical unreasonableness and licentiousness. Those, who are of your own fide, you may counfel and reprove more freely. With the reft you must be extremely calm and patient: take the most favourable opportunities, and use the most perfuafive methods of speaking: but, in fome way or other, private or public, all, who need it, fhould be told, whether they will hear or whether they will forbear, that the great Chriftian laws of dutifulness to superiors, mutual good-will, forbearance, forgiveness, equity, veracity, moderation, fobriety, lose not the leaft of their obligation during the continuance of thefe difputes: that all virtues are to be chiefly exercifed, when they are chiefly tried: and that therefore, now more particularly, you, as the Apoftle directs, must put them in mind, and they must keep it in mind, to be fubject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, to speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, fewing all meekness unto all

men

I end

Titus iii. 1, 2

I end this long difcourfe in the words of the fame Apoftle: Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are venerable, (for fo the word is rightly translated in the margin,) whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think of and do these things: and the God of peace shall be with you*

Philip. iv. 8, 9;

CHARG

THE

HE difpofer of all things having permitted his Majesty, by the advice of his faithful fervants, to nominate me for your Bishop: though I faw many reafons to dread this promotion, arifing from the difficulties of the office and of the times, from the great qualities of my predeceffors, and my own increasing weakneffes; yet I thought myself bound to obey his commands, and with the fame gratitude for his favourable opinion, as if I had wished to receive them; determining, through God's grace, to perform the duties of my ftation as well as I could; and hoping for the candor, the affiftance and the prayers of good people. To make some amends by diligence for my deficiencies in other refpects, I refolved immediately to vifiť my Diocese: for which purpose we are here affembled.

Thefe meetings were defigned, partly to give the clergy ⚫pportunities of conferring with each other, and confulting VOL. IV.

U

their

their fuperiors, on matters relating to their profeffing; and I am very defirous, that you fhould render them as beneficial in this way as poffible; but principally, to give Bishops opportunities of exhorting and cautioning their clergy, either on fuch general fubjects as are always useful, or on such particular occafions as the circumftances of things, or the inquiries, made at or against these times, point out; and of interpofing their authority, if there be need; which, amongst you, I am perfuaded, there will not. To provide more fully for your instruction, I have ordered a charge to be sent you, which I delivered to the clergy of Oxfordshire, and printed at their request, about twenty years ago. Would God it were become unfeasonable now. But, as unhappily it is not, I earnestly recommend the contents of it to your most serious thoughts; and would have you look on what I shall at present say further, as fupplemental to it.

Counfels and admonitions, to parochial minifters pre-fuppofe their refidence. The founders of parishes provided them with glebes, and built houses for them, purpofely that they might refide. The laws of the church have from the beginning, and do still require, as indeed common equity doth, that this valuable confideration, for which these endowments were given, fhould be faithfully paid. And going over and performing the service from time to time, or engaging fome other clergyman to take care of it, or of the occafional part of it, feldom anfwers the original intention. Your people will not so readily, and cannot fo conveniently, apply to the minifter of another parish: And when they do, his affistance, for the most part, will be less early, or lefs conftant, than it fhould; though doubtless they, who have undertaken to fupply their neighbours abfence, ought to do it very confcientioufly. But befides, even the Sunday duty, when the incumbent unneceffarily comes from a diftant place to do it, will be confidered as accompanied with something like a breach of the Sunday, will not always be kept to the stated hours, will often be hurried over indecently: the catechifm will either not be taught or not expounded, if the distance be at all confiderable; nor probably will the fermon be well adapted to the audience. For it is only living amongft your people, and knowing them thoroughly, that can fhow you, what is level to their capacities, and fuited to their circumftances; what will

will reform their faults, and improve their hearts in true` goodnefs. Yet this is your bufinefs with them; and unless you perform it, every thing elfe is nothing. Further, fuch as want your help moft may not come to your fermons, or may not apply them to their own cafe, or may need to have them enforced by confiderations peculiar to themselves, and unfit to be specified in public. Speaking to them feparately, and agreeably to their several states of mind and life, may have unforeseen influence. And being always at hand, to awe the disorderly and countenance the well-behaved, to advise and comfort the difeafed and afflicted, to relieve or procure relief for the neceffitous, to compofe little differences and difcourage wrong customs in the beginning, to promote friendly offices, and keep up an edifying and entertaining converfation in a neighbourhood, must add incredible weight to public inftruction.

Indeed your congregations expect these things from you, and have a right to expect them. The nature of your office requires them: you have all at your ordination exprefsly promifed to use both public and private monitions and exhortations, both to the fick and whole within your cures, as need shall require and occafion be given, the Lord being your helper. Now we cannot use them duly, without being refident. But further ftill, fince their ordination, all Vicars have fworn particularly to be refident unless they are dispensed with, which means by lawful authority; nor doth any difpenfation of a Bishop last beyond his own time; or beyond the term, for which he gave it; or, if that were indefinite, beyond his pleasure: points, which vicars ought to confider much more feriously than they often do. And every Rector hath fworn in general, to obey his Bishop in all things lawful and honeft. Now furely refidence is lawful and honeft; and what is punishable by a Bifhop may, if done without his leave, be well interpreted difobedience to him: and the non-refidence of rectors is punishable juft in the fame manner with that of Vicars.

It must not therefore be pleaded, that however neceffary the refidence of fome minifter may be, that of a curate may fuffice. For your engagement is, not merely that the feveral duties of your parish fhall be done, but that you perfonally will do them; and if it were enough to fubftitute another to