they who are sprung from Ireland, certainly ought to diftin guifh themselves in forwarding this charity; their relation demands it of them. They, who have eftates there, or incomes of any fort arifing from thence, fhould be liberal to it, beyond others, who have no fuch connexions. For it is natural to be generous peculiarly in the place, from which their capacity of being generous proceeds. And the more their circumstances and stations point out to them to refide in that place; if they do not, the more ample amends they fhould make it some other way; befides that what is expended there to encourage labour and liberty, will ere long greatly increase the produce, the rent, the value of each person's lands.

Thefe confiderations are laid before you, folely for your cool reflexion in retirement. No advantage will be taken of any fudden impreffion, which they may poffibly make now; or of the willingness to give, or shame to refuse, that might accompany the focial meal, which is to follow our present affembly. This is treating you with fingular delicacy and refpect. Certainly it will not fail of moving you to the proper return, of fuch voluntary deliberate donations, yearly or occafional, as best evidence a free heart. Where they will be received, is publicly advertifed.

But then, whilft we join with our friends of that kingdom in what we can both do, we must rely on them abfolutely for what inspectors alone can do. Much praife, we are fenfible, they have merited on that account, from the highest to the lowest. We can only exhort them, and we know they will Suffer the word of exhortation, to abound more and more*: to reexamine frequently the plan, and fee what may be corrected or improved in it; the management, and see what may infenfibly have gone wrong, or been relaxed to hear objections attentively and candidly, both from approvers and difapprovers of the scheme; for among the latter may be perfons of confequence and of value, though under the dominion of prejudices to rectify or vindicate things, as the cafe requires; and not let their good be evil fpoken oft. The choice of mafters and miftreffes for the schools is a most effential article of their trust. These ought never to be taken from motives of

:

* Heb. xiii. 22. I Theff. iv. I,

+ Rom. xiv. 16,

of felf-intereft, importunity, compaffion, cheapness; or any other, than a well-grounded perfuafion, that they are qualifi ed, by their ferious and practical faith in the protestant reli gion, their skill and diligence, their spirit and temper, to teach the children, committed to them, their duty to God and the king, together with the means of getting an honest livelihood. For neither of thefe, without the other, will fuffice. But as keeping them to work may be more for the private emolu. ment of the mafter or miftrefs, than principling them well; and a failure in the former is more eafily perceived; there must be a clofer watchfulnefs over the latter. Yet they are hot to be taught an uncharitable vehemence against papists, like theirs against us; much lefs an imagination, that fuch bitterness is religion enough; but a fervent affection for the doctrines and precepts of primitive Christianity, with à confcientious dread of making either of none effect through the com mandments and traditions of men*. At the fame time, whatever indulgence, whatever appearance, may exalt them, either in reality, or but in fancy, beyond their due rank, is to be prohibited most peremptorily. If knowledge of accounts, or éven of writing, will tempt them to think they are above the meanest business; they had much better have little or none of it imparted to them. And in all refpects they should be brought up fo, as will induce them to look upon their subse quent apprenticeship in the light of a preferment.

For preferving the inftitution in this vigour, it will be èxtremely material to keep a frequent correspondence, entering into particulars, with the local committee of every school; to compare the management of one with another, diffufe the notice of whatever good œconomy hath been any where introduced; and recommend it to all, who can properly make trial of it. Once a prudent and experienced perfon was fent to vifit a confiderable part of these foundations; to examine their state, and propofe diminutions of expences, improvements of their lands, useful regulations of various kinds †. Poffibly a repetition of this practice, at moderate intervals, with a report to the committee at Dublin of what had appeared on the enquiry, might have more good confequences, than can be at prefent diftinctly forefeen.

VOL. IV. .

Ꮹ

In

In putting the children out, it is of the utmoft moment, that the perfons, who take them, be not only nominal protestants, but real Chriftians. For indeed they had better turn papifts again, than become fuch profligates, as the examples and common talk, it may be feared, of fome families would make them. They had better think wrong in feveral articles of religion, than fcorn the whole; and be ready to do mischief in particular points occafionally, than in all constantly. But one would contrive most studiously to secure them from both; and for that purpose, if poffible, not to place them with popish fellow-fervants; at least without a mixture of others. And if those who are intrusted with them, would but have the goodness to bestow some peculiar' attention on their moral and religious conduct, it might often prevent the lofs of all that had been done before; and both they, and the rest of their house, as well as the poor children, would be the better for it.

The priests, we are told, pursue them to the remotest corners of the island, in hopes of recovering them. Surely then we should be as anxious to retain them. But above all, the ministers of their parishes ought to eye them without intermiffion; inculcate upon them the most earnest cautions not to difcredit their education; and engage them in the firmest promises, whenever they are attacked, either in point of doctrines or duties, to apply for help from them immediately. Our adverfaries obtain and perpetuate their influence over their people, by having much intercourse with them, by letting themselves down to them. They are wife in their "generation*. If we hope to be a match for them, we must imitate them. And then, as they act thus, partly for their own private ends, and we can do it only out of kindness, we fhall fo far have the advantage. Not for this reason only, but for many more, minifters ought to refide in their parishes, and fow Spiritual things where they reap carnalt. The Legislature ought first to `make provision for refidence in a fufficient number of places, then to require it. And mere perfonal abode, with a legal performance of stated offices, ought by no means to be regarded as the substance of parochial duty. It is not a formal and indolent, much less a gay and voluptuous, but a self-denying, sondescending, pains-taking clergy, that will do good; who

* Luke xvi. 8.

† 1 Cor. ix. II.

are

are inftant in feafon and out of feafon *: who knowing the terrors of the Lord, perfuade ment to avoid them; who loving his promises, invite men to partake of them. Now, if the laity would have fuch pastors as these, they must prefer and recommend fuch, discountenancing others. And if they would have the labours of these effectual, they must permit them to have a due effect upon themselves. Elfe our religion will be reproached and blafphemed for their fakes; which, would they observe its rules, we might hope to see honoured and embraced. For it is remarkable, that in those counties of Ireland, where proteftants are strictest, papists are fewest.

But then, if whilft we in England fay these things to our neighbours over the water, we fet them a pattern of doing the contrary; if our laity are profane, if our clergy are supine; we shall exhort them with an ill grace and small fuccefs. Therefore let us begin to amend, and there will be fome profpect of their following. Or, if they begin, let us think it more honour to copy them in what is right, than to lead them in what is wrong. And God grant we may both confider one another, to provoke unto love and good works; and so much the more," as we fee the day appreaching: too probably the day of national calamity, unless we avert it by a speedy reformation; but certainly the day of death, and that awful account, which every ♦ne fhall give of himself to God || •

2 Tim. iv. 2. † 2 Cor. v. II.

Heb. x. 4, 25. Rom. xiv. 14.

SER

SERMON CXXXVIII.

PERSECUTION A DECISIVE EVIDENCE OF AN UNCHRISTIAN SPIRIT.

Preached in the Parish Church of St Mary, Lambeth, November 5. 1758,

JOHN xvi. 2, 3,

They fhall put you out of the fynagogues : yea, the time cometh, that whofoever' killeth you, will think that he doth God fervice.

And thefe things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.

THE various evils of human life are, all of them, just mat

ter of serious and melancholy confideration; but each in its due proportion and degree. Such of them, as flow of neceffity from that order of things, which providence established in confequence of man's original tranfgreffion, are undoubtedly very heavy and afflicting: labour, pain, fickness, death; whether befalling us, or our friends. But a great alleviation. of them is, that God inflicts them on us, not man; ` and uses them to ferve excellent purposes, of teaching us refignation to himself, and compaffion to each other; of weaning us from this world, and exciting in our hearts earnest defires of a better. So that these calamities, being a wholesome, though rough, exercise of our virtue and piety, may be confidered, in this view, with comfort enough. But fuch as proceed from our own mutual injuries, though even these work 'together for good to them that love God*, are a ground for much deeper concern; for here is guilt, as well as fuffering: Mankind not only multiplying present torments, very needlessly, one to another, but treasuring up future and eternal ones to them

Rom. viii. 28.

felves