Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013 http://archive.org/details/chawiOOdudl fa/M, ma /nil fan') Ai>, ^j'p n^. C H A A R G E To the CLERGY Within the A rchdeaconry of Bedford: In which are fome REMARKS concerning the late Application of the Diffenters for a Repeal of the Tefl-slft. Deliver'd at a Visitation Held at Arnpthill) (L/Jpril go th > 17 go'. To which is prefix'd a former CHARGE, containing fome Animadverfions on the Growth of Infidelity, and the Means to be ufed in Oppofing the Same, as far as relates to the Clergy of the Eftabliih'd Church. By JOHN DUPLET, M. A. Archdeacon of Bedford. PubliOYd at the Requefl: of the CLERGY. OXFORD- Printed by L. Lichfield, near Eafi-Gate : And are to be Sold by A. Peijley and Mary Fletcher Bookfellers in Oxford : T. Osborne in Gray's-Inn, and J. Roberts in IVarvjick-Lane, LONDON, 1736. [33 A CHARGE to the CLERGY At a VISITATION Held at BEDFORD, Reverend Brethren, AS I had the Happinefs of fome pre- vious Acquaintance with a pretty many of you, through my Attend- ances on our honoured Diocefan at his Primary and laft Triennial Vifitation ; I purpofely omitted for Two or Three Vifitati- ons pad, to fuggeft any Thing by Way of Ad- vice from this -Place, knowing in the Main that you were a Body of regular, well-behaved Clergy, fuch as difcharged the Duties of your Calling in a laudable Manner, and recomend- ed by your Examples thofe practical Rules A 2 which which you expounded to* others. For this Reafon 1 thought it unneceffary both for yooi and my feif, to give you a long Detail of thofe feveral Duties, which you are fo well acquainted with, and which have been the Handing Topicks of Difcourfes of this Rind, infomuch that moft Clergymen's private Stu- dies are furnifh'd with a fufficient Number of 'em in Print, and an Addition thereunto would feem rather fuperfluous. But as Times and Circum fiances are con- tinually changing, as well as Bodies and Socie- ties of Men, 'tis unavoidable but that fome new Matters will arife, which may require and even demand our molt ferious Conli- deration. 'Tis evident that the Spirit of Infidelity has made a much greater Progrefs amongft us in a few Years, than, as we can learn from any Hiftory extant, it has ever before done in any Length or Period of Time whatever. Now this is a Matter of vaft Concern to us of the Clergy, two different Ways, as it has a direct Tendency to affect us. in our private, as well as publick Capacity ; as in Tract of Time it will probably injure us in our Pro- perties, and as we already find the bad Effects of it in Regard to our Functions. To the firft [r] firft of thefe Suggeftions I fliall fay but little, for fhou'd that at any Time hereafter be the Cafe, I know not which Way we fliall obtain Redrefs. Our Bufinefs is to be Obedient to the Laws; and not only fo, but likewife to exhort others to a mutual Obedience and Ob- fervance of the fame, and that not merely from a Principle of Fear, and for the efcaping Punifhment, but as the Scripture di reels, for Confcience Sake. This we are all fenfible our molt holy Religion obliges us to ; and there- fore as the Difpofal of fuch Events are lodg'd in other Hands, we muft endeavour to com- port our felves in the beft Manner we are able, cafting all our Care upon God, in a full Afiu- rance that he ftill careth for us. Thus much I fliall obferve in general, that the whole Body of the Clergy have for many Years pafl, behaved in as dutiful and peaceable a Manner towards the Government, as any equal Num- ber of Men, of what Rank or Profeflion fo- ever. And I muft do the Adminiftration the Juftice to confefs, that they themfelves feem to have made the likeObfervation, and in Re- quital havedifperfed by a timely Interpofition fome ill-boding Storms that were gathering againft us. As for my fecond Suggeftion, the great and vifible 14} vifible Decay of Chriftian Piety is too certain a Proof of what I have aflerted. Indeed I am far from imagining that the Utmoft we can fay, or do, or write, will be fufficient to flop the Growth of Infidelity. It has already taken fuch deep Root, and fpreads its nume- rous Branches fo wide, that the Engines of the World muft be fet to work, before it can be check'd, much lefs extirpated. This when ever it be done, muft be a national Concern, and muft have the Influence of the Great and Powerful to effect it. Nothing lefs than this, I fear, will have its due Weight and wifh'dfor Succefs: For tho' Arguments in great Abun- dance, ftrong and even unanfwerable, have not been wanting on the Side of Religion ; yet Men of Pleafure and Luxury, of Fortune and Opulency, fuch as abound in the World, and by their mifapplied Wealth feem to carry *almoft every Thing before them, will not take thelitis to fearch into the Evidences of their Religion, but haftily run away with any ill- . grounded Opinions, provided they do bu t tal- ly with their Lufts and Appetites, and give them no uneafy Reflections under the full En- joyment of their fenfual Delights. So that under fuch unhappy Circumftances as thefe, we have but a melancholy Profpecl before us, and and can little-sxpect an Amendment of Things, unlefs thole in thehigheft Stations of all, fuch as are vefted with Authority, and whofe Ex- amples will always have the greateft Weight on the Bulk of the People; I fay, unlefs they fhall think fit to fet about fome Expedient for the difcountenancing Infidelity, the conftant Parent of Immorality and Profanenefs ; and for the promoting in its ftead true Virtue and Goodnefs, which are only to be found in the Religion we profefs. Virtue and Infidelity are incompatible Cha- racters ; and however fome Men may have re- fined upon Virtue, exclufive of Religion; yet when we come to lay aflde the feveral pofitive Reftraints or Encouragements of the Gofpel, which have fo powerful an Influence over the different Hopes and Fears of Men ; we fhall foon find that Virtue will be little more than nominal, and few will purfue it as its own Reward. If we caff, our Eyes round about, we fhall perceive this to be the Cafe. According to the gradual lncreafe of Infidelity, Vice of all Sorts has abounded more and more : And tho' perhaps in our Country-Retirements we may not hitherto be fo fenfible of the pernicious Effects and Confequences of it ; yet as it is fo in- [8] induftrioufly propagated at this time of Day, and meets with fuch Numbers of Profelytes among People of almofl every Rank and Con- dition in the moil populous Cities, in that e- fpecially [where Men from all Parts of the King- dom do at one Time or other refort, either for the carrying on of Commerce and execu- ting Bufinefs of fundry Kinds, or for the Sake of Company and Pleafure, and thofe worldly Diverlions which the Idle and Thoughtlefs are daily purfuing ; 1 am afraid a few Years will convince us, that hardly any Corner of the Nation will be free from its Infection, not- withstanding our utmoft Efforts and Labours to the contrary. Under fuch Difficulties, and fuch a decli- ning State of Religion, it may be proper here to refolve one Queltion, which naturally offers it felf ; and that is, How are the Clergy to behave in thefeCircumftances ; Becaufe others defpffe the Offices of Religion, fhoifd they become carelefs in the Performance of them? By no Means: Tho' as Matters now ftand, we cannot expect to be fo fuccefsfulin our Mi- niftrations, as we have reafon to wifli; never- thelefs let us Endeavour in our feveral Stati- ons, to do all the Good we poffibly can ; and by preferving at all Times this Ground of Re- joycing [9] joycing; the Teftimony of our Confidences; that in Simplicity and godly Sincerity, we have had our Converfation in a corrupt and unbelieving World ; let it ferve to excite us to redouble our Vigilance, that we may con- tinually be in fuch a Pofture of Defence, as powerfully to refift the Attacks of Infidelity under all the Difguifes and Pretences of Rea- fon; and by a skilful Ufe of our fpiritual Weapons, that we may be able to fhew our- felves more than Conquerors. By this Means, whether Men will hear, or whether they will forbear, we fhall be able to render a juft Ac- count of our Miniftry at the great Day of Retribution, inafmuch as through a fervent Mind, a ready Will, and an upright Heart, we have difcharged the Labour and Bufinefs of our Vocation as faithful Stewards of the Myfteries of God. 'Tis a melancholy Consideration to reflect, how greatly the very bell of Things are often intermixed with an Allay of the worft. 'Tis demonftrable that the Church of England by Law eftablifhed, is the fartheft removed from Corruption of all Sorts, and confequently ap- proaches neareft to the Simplicity of the Gof- pel, and likewife to the Practice of the Primi- tive Church, of any diftinc~l Communion pro- B feffing [10] fefling Chriftianity. We may juftly therefore lament, that there fhould be any fo unreafon- able as to feparate themfelves from fo uncor- rupta Worfhipasisprefcribed by our Church; much more that others in great Numbers fhould be found, fo daring and impious, as to ftrive to overthrow the whole Fabrick of Chriftianity, and blot out all Religion from the Minds of Men. I believe as far as it is permitted for us fi- nite Creatures, to look into the Ways and Workings of Providence, we may fafely con- clude, that God has had fo fpecial a Regard to the Purity of our Church iince the Times of the Reformation, as on that Account to have interpofed in a fignal and miraculous Manner for the Prefervation of the Rights and Liberties of the People, when at different Times and by various Meafures, they have feem'd to be brought to the very Brink of De- itru&ion. 1 think this Opinion has no Occa- lion for any other Support, if we only con- fider that fome fpecial Inftances of the Dan- gers alluded to, and the remarkable Deliver- ances wrought thereupon, are adopted into the Offices of the national Church. We have fufficient Intimations from Scrip- ture, that God Almighty ordinarily deals with States States and Communities, according to their Inclinations to, or Deflections from Virtue; that Righteoufnefs exalteth a Nation,, but Sin is a Reproach to any People; that therefore a general Practice of Sin and Wickednefs, has a Tendency to plunge Mankind into Ruin and Defolation, in Regard to their temporal Cir- cumftances and Conditions. And indeed the Reafonablenefs of God's acting after this Manner is fufficiently evident, becaufe pub- lick Societies of Men confider'd as fuch, can only be rewarded or puniflied in this World, their common Exiftence as one Body, extend- ing no farther than the prefent Life. So that notwithstanding the many lignai Deliver- ances vouchfafed to this Church and Nation heretofore, we have now very little Reafon to depend upon the extraordinary Mercies of Almighty God, confidering the ftrange Profa- nations of his Holy Name, the daily Infults offer'd to his Religion, and the fubfequent Contempt of the Minifters thereof. As far therefore as the monftrous Sin of In- fidelity, is likely to involve us in the com- mon Calamity ; it may be proper to confider, what Influence this ought to have upon our Conduct, knowing that we are fet in the Midft of fo many and great Dangers. B x The L « J The more we feclude our felves from the mean and low Diverfions of the World, the more likely we fliall be to keep our Characters unfullied, and to preferve that Elteem from our refpective Congregations, which the Im- portance of our Office may juftly claim. For if at any Time they fee us link below our Characters, they will not only be offended, as they have Caufe to be, but in Cafe of a fre- quent Repetition herein, they will grow re- gard lefs of our molt ferious Inltructions. The Generality of the People will hardly make Allowances for the molt common Failings it} Men of our Order, and therefore the ready Way to avoid Cenfure, is to withdraw our felves from all thofe Kinds of Aflemblies, which under the Notion of Pleafure are prin- cipally calculated for the promoting of Vice, But as Mankind in general are defirous of Society, and as Men of our Profeffion, by Reafon of the great Advantages of Education, are commonly well qualified for the Enjoy- ment of Converfation; 1 think a friendly and vmreferved Correfpondence amongft our own Order ought always to be encouraged, as far as is fuitableand not detrimental either to our a'-efpe&ive Studies or Circumftances. By [ 13 ] By fuch frequent Intercourfes as are here mentioned , all thofe feveral unaccountable Prejudices , which are fome times feen even among Men of Education, will infenfibly va- nifli and difappear ; and the Practice of de- rogating from each other's Qualifications, will be look'dupon with Abhorrence, as having no better Foundation than what arifes from Self- Opinion, and the Ignorance we- have of other Mens Talents. Neither are thefe the principal Advantages accruing hereby; for by this Means we mall have an Opportunity of communicating our Sentiments to each other concerning the more abftrufe Points of Divinity, and of receiving fuch cafual Hints from each other, as may much facilitate the Courfe of our Studies. For as Men according to their various Incli- nations and Opportunities of Life, are led into different Branches of Learning; fo the Abundance of fome in one Kind of Learning may be happily made to fupply the Deficiency of others, who yet may excel in a different Way, and confequently a reciprocal Improve- ment may refult there-from. This to a Man of common Ingenuity will certainly be the molt agreeable, as well as inoffenfive Way of fpending his Leifure Hours ^ when his Mind is C»4l is relaxed from the Cares and Duties of his parochial Charge, However I am far from advifing the Clergy to fliun all thofe who are of a different ProfefTion, or fuch as poffibly may not have had the fame Advantages of Education with themfelves. On the Con- trary, I would rather perfwade them, to have frequent Interviews with the molt un- derftanding Part of their Neighbours, and efpecially to pay all decent and fuitable Re- gard to thofe, whofe fuperior Circumftances do ufually lead to a greater Meafure of Re- fpec"t, tho' it be not directly in their Power either to injure or aflift us. Such a Behaviour will gradually lefTen the Prejudices of Men, by what Means foever they have been formed againft us, and will make them the more eafily overlook any flight Mifcarriages, which through Surprife or Inadvertence we may have the Misfortune to fall into, and which even the wifeft of Men are not always able to prevent. Whereas an abfolutely reclufe Life renders us liable to divers Inconveniencies : For whatever the Motives may be in themfelves, which lead to fuch a fingular Method of Living, the Generality of Mankind will be apt to impute it to fomething amifs, to Morofenefs, Hypo- crify, C if] crify, or a Defe&of Underftanding, or to any- other wrong Difpofition which they hear comes neareft to the particular Temper and Conftitution of a Man. Thus by Decrees, a Perfon, perhaps of great intrinfick Worth and Learning, will come to be defpifed and ridiculed, and what is ftill worfe, 'tis pro- bable fonie of the more brutifli and ill-prin- cipled Part of hisParifh, will take all Opportu- nities to injure him in his Property; either totally to fecrete and plunder him of his Dues, or to withhold them till they are ob- liged by a Procefs at Law to make Compen- fation on that Behalf. Thus it comes to pafs, that Men of Virtue and Knowledge are fome- times thrown into a Scene of Vexation, which has been known to end in the Ruin of their Circumstances, and moreover has helped to fhorten their Days. It muft be confefTed, that fuch Misfor- tunes as thefe have fometimes befallen Men of the molt affable and engaging Difpolitions. But upon Examination it will generally, if not always, be found, that the Seeds of Dis- content were fown before-hand, during the Incumbency of thofe, who were lefs careful of obferving fuch prudential Maxims as I have now been fpeaking ofi So that it appeals from I 16] From hence, how vigilant' the Clergy ought to be, in not fufFeringany Inconveniencies of this Nature to arife by their own injudicious Conduct and Behaviour, and that not only as it will affect their own Eafe and Intereft, but alfo as in all Probability it will entail Mif- chief even upon their Succeflbrs. After all that has been faid upon this Point, 1 it inuft be owned, that fuch Obfervations will extend but to few of the Clergy in Com- parifon of the whole, becaufe generally fpeak- ing, the greateft Danger lies the oppofite Way. Too great a Degree of Retirement is feldom found, but in the molt learned of their refpective Profeflions: And therefore the Splendor of Wealth and the Hopes of Pre- ferment are apt to draw off too many from a juft Attendance upon their proper Studies, and by Degrees to enlift them into all the feveflal Divefiions of the Great, which in Pro- cefs of Time become habitual to them. What the Confequences of fuch Compliances are, I fhall rather chufe to leave to your own Obfervations, than enter into a diftincl Reci- tal of them. However this Inftance fuggefts another obvious Reafon, why Men of the beft Learning ought not to fhut themfelves up from the World, but at proper Intervals fhould [17] ihould aflbciate themfelves with their own Parifhioners, and efpecially with thofe Per- fons in their refpective Neighbourhoods , whofe Fortunes admit of the greateft Refort of Company to their Houfes. But before I mention the Reafon it felf, I fhall remove one Objection which lies in the Way. Tis known that Places of the largeft Concourfe, are ufually attended with fuch a Mixture of Company, as is not at all agreeable to Men of Virtue and Sobriety ; and there- fore that it is unavoidable but that the Dif- courfe will fome times turn upon fuch obnox- ious Points, as may juftly offend a chafte Ear. But in Anfwer to this, if a Man's own per- fonal Innocence may be preferv d in the worft of Company, as no one can deny ; I think the Objection ceafes at once. And therefore the Reafon is plain, becaufe in fuch Cafes, a Clergyman of Reputation, may be able to give a Check to the whole Difcourfe; or at leaft may be able to guard tender Minds from imbibing the Infection ; or laftly, may be inftrumental in reforming thofe who have been long accuftomed to fuch licentious Practices. So [ 18] So much Weight will the Converfation of the more learned and pious Clergy obtain in the World ; whereas a Man of flender Abili- ties, fuch a one as is moft liable to be drawn afide^ and led into the Corruptions and Follies of Mankind, only ferves in fuch Circumftances, to enhance the Ridicule of the profane and wicked, and by that Meansbecomesan Inftru- ment in the Increafe of Evil. So that a Minifter of the Gofpel, in Order to be Service- able to the Caufe of Religion, mult always act up to the Dignity of his Character ; and if he is fenfiblethat his own Qualifications are but fcanty, he mould rather debar himfelf from mixing with the World, and entring in- to the more publick and general Affbciations, for Fear of being drawn into Temptation and Vanity, in Proportion to his Want of Sta- bility and Learning. 'T^s expected from Men of our Profeflion, to be ready always to give an Anfwer to every one that asketh us a Reafon of our Chriftian Hope, and of the feveral Doctrines founded thereon. And I muft add likewife, that iince Men have fought out fo many Inven- tions, in order to undermine and root out Chriftianity, we muft fpare no Pains, nor omit [19] omit any Opportunities of weighing and conlidering, and if Occafion be, of refuting the feveral Arguments and Reafons, which are advanced to weaken the Evidences of our Religion. For tho' Men of Years and Ex- perience, joined to a confiderable Com pais of Reading, may from their own Stock of Learning, be able to anfwer the Cavils of In- fidelity ; yet Men of fewer Years, and a fmaller Proportion of Learning will often find themfelves at a Lofs, provided they neglecl: the Controverfies on Foot, and are not converfant in the Writings on both Sides of the Queftion, both of them that oppofe, and them that defend the Chriftian lnfti, tution. And indeed the NecefTity of fo doing will be ftill more evident, if we confider what unfair Artifices are conftantly made Ufe of by the Advocates of Infidelity, how many falfe and partial Quotations from Writings of Antiquity ; how many Quibbles and Subter- fuges in Matters of mere Reafon ; and above all, what Loads of Calumny, Detraction, and Malice are continually poured outagainft the Clergy in general. Neither does their Inve- teracy end here : What extraordinary Pains C x have [10 ] have been taken of late to fet at Nought the Labours, as well as Bounty of thofe, who have been concerned in the pious Education of Children ! What frivolous Applications to Political Theorems on that Account ; when in Truth inftead of wanting a fufficient Nun> ber of Hands to carry on the Manufactures and Commerce of the Nation, the Probability feems to lie on the other Side of the Queftion, if any Judgment can be formed from that Multitude of Vagrants which are daily feen to infeft our Streets. But fuch is thereftlefs Spirit of Infidelity, that all Efforts are made to abolifh the Seminaries of Learning and Religion, becaufe the latter is ufually grafted on the former, and can never be totally over" thrown, fo long as Learning is encouraged amongft us, And this feems- to be the genuine Foundation of the greateft Part of that Heap of Calumny which is thrown upon the Clergy, and of the Afperfions which are caft upon our two Univerfities. But whatever evil-minded Men may fay to diminifii the Succefs, or deftroy the Profpe- rity of thefe two Fountains of Learning, they will ftill be treated with the higheft Efteem by the virtuous Part of Mankind at Home [II ] Home, and are confider'd by all learned Fo- reigners Abroad, as the Glory and Ornament of the Briti/Jj Nation. Let the Refult of what has been faid be this, that iince we are furrounded with un- common Difficulties, let us take more than ordinary Pains to difcharge the Duties of our Calling with the utmoft Fidelity. Let us in all Things approve our felves as the Miniiters of God, in much Patience; yea, if it mould fo happen, in Afflictions, in Neceflities, and Diftretfes too •. And that by the fame Me- thods the Apoftle recommends; by Pure- nefs, by Knowledge, by Long-fuffering, by Kindnefs, by the HolyGhoft, by Love un- feigned, by the Word of Truth, by the Power of God, by the Armour of Righteoufnefs on the right Hand and on the left. Tho' the Time is already come, wherein a great many will not endure found Doclrine, but after their own Lulls are for heaping to themfelves Teachers, even Teachers of Infidelity ; let us not be difcouraged fo as to faint under our Burthen. Let us in Meeknefs inftrucT: thofe that oppofe themfelves ; if God peradventure will give them Repentance to the acknow- ledging the Truth ; will caufe the Clouds of Prejudice Or] Prejudice to be difpelled, and the Winds of Infidelity to be overblown. Let each of us be an Example of the Believers, in Word, in Converfation, in Charity, in Spirit, in Faith, in Purity. Let us at all Times take good Heed unto our felves; and unto our Doctrine ; and continue therein, that by fo doing we may both fave our felves and them that hear us. [ tfj ] A CHARGE to the CLERGY At a VISITATION Held at AMPTHILL, Q.April 30 th y 1736. I Should more frequently addrefs my Re- verend Brethren when aflembled in this Manner, were 1 confcious that any En- deavours of mine would be of the leaft Service to any of them in Particular, or of the fmalleft Advantage to the Caufe of Reli- gion hi General. Never was any Nation more happy in the- Means and Opportunities of Knowledge, and of the various Methods of Information concerning the whole of our Duty to God and Man : Never had any People [14-] People, I believe, more Advantages from the pious and painful Labours of their Predecef- fors in Regard to the whole Compafs of Li- terature, both Human and Divine, than thofe of the Communion whereunto we be- long. And therefore it feems in a good Mea- fure unneceflary for any private Attempts to add to the Labours of thofe, who have gone before us. But as a ftricT: Attendance on Matters of Duty in our Order is always neceflary, fo a juft Recommendation thereof at fome proper Intervals, will never, I pre- fume, be deemed unfeafonable. And indeed fuch is the tranfient State of all fublunary Things, that as almoft every frefh Return of thefe Sorts of AfTemblies, brings fome new Members along with it ; fo it may be expedient every now and then to offer fome Monitions for a regular Difcharge of the Ministerial Office, efpecially to thofe "who are but newly adopted into the Work of the Miniftry, and whofe Want of Age and Experience may reafonably be fuppofed to admit of Information. It is indeed a melancholy Confideration, but fo it is, that Religion is at the loweft Ebb imaginable, and that Vice and Immora- lity [if] lity do every where abound. A large Share of the People feem totally regardlefs of the Senfe and Spirit and Nature of Religion ; whilft others of a different Turn of Mind, are doing all they can to new-mould and fa fh ion it, nay to corrupt and adulterate it; and fome are ftriving to banifh it out of the World. The Generality of Mankind are ei- ther fo intoxicated with Luxury and Plea fu re, or overcome with Indolence and Inconfidera- tion, or given up to Debauchery and Wicked- nefs of all Kinds ; that all we can poffibly fay or do, all that the Clergy can invent or write, will, I am afraid, be infufficient for a thorough Reformation in thefe depraved Days, unlefs we have the Aid and Afliftance of the Powerful and Mighty, unlefs we be ftrength- ened and fupported by the Rulers of this World. However this is fo far from being a Reafon why Men of our Profeffion fhould grow cold and heartlefs, or fall into a State of Supine- nefs and Defpondency; that we ought much rather to increafe our Diligence in the Work of our Calling, remembring ftill that we are under the good Providence of a gracious and merciful God, who can, if he fees fit, not on- ly turn the Hearts of the Difobedient to the D Wif- [ x6 ] Wifdom of thejuft ; but alfo in the Midft of the greateft Tryals and Temptations can point out a Way for the Righteous to efcape the Pollutions and Defilements of the World. Such has been the Care, and Wifdom, and Piety of thofe who have heretofore had the Direction of Eccleliaftical Affairs, that we find the Sum of our Duty completely defined and defcribed to us in the feveral Canons, In- junctions, and Kubricks fubfifting in our Church. Every Thing that may help either to regulate our own Conduct* or tend to the Edification of thofe committed to our Charge, may with the greateft Readinefs be found therein. A frequent Perufal therefore of thefe eftablifhed Rules and Directions of the Church, is what I would above all Things recommend to thofe of my Brethren, who have but newly been admitted into Holy Orders. 'Tis too frequent in the World to have Things neglected merely for carrying the Face of Antiquity ; as if Nothing could be pleafing but that only which appeared in a modern Drefs, and that new Inventions were always beft. A Difpofition of this Kind has been the Caufe of a great Deal of Error at one Time or other* and Men of good Underftanding and In- [V7] Ingenuity have even fplit upon this Rock: Becaufe fome of the more ancient Canons and Conftitutions are now out of Date, that can be no Argument at all againft the Ufe of the Reft. The Exigency of thofe Times wherein they were made, might and did require a Number of iuch as cannot be of any Concern or Import to us, as will plainly appear upon a curfory View of the Hiftory of thofe Times, and the different Occafions whereupon they were made. But ftill the main Body of the feve- rai Canons and Conftitutions of our Church, are and always will be of (landing Ufe, fo long as it pleafes God to continue us a Church. A competent Knowledge therefore in this Kind of Learning, is what every Clergyman ought to be furnifhed withal. This is the Way not only to keep him fteady in the right and regular Performance of his own Duty ; but will be a Means likewife of defending him from the Impofitions and Encroachments of fuch as are ready for Enterprifes of that Kind. I believe there are but few amongft us, who are not too fenfible of a ftrong Propenfion throughout the greater Part of the People for Works of that Nature. We find upon Ex- perience that the Bulk of our Congregations, 1 mean in Villages and Country Towns, are D i not [ i8 ] not only extremely defective in Chriftian Knowledge, but in numberlefs Inftances they feem unacquainted with the common Senti- ments of Humanity* And therefore they are fo far from efteeming us in Love for our Work Sake, that on the Contrary they fre- quently pride themfelves in an Oppofition to what they do but fufpedt will be agreeable to their Minifter. Neither is this the worft Side of the Cafe : for we frequently meet with At* tempts from fome of them, even to fecrete and withhold what the Laws of the Land have allotted for our Subfiftence. And if they cannot bring their Purpofes to bear, they ufually betake themfelves to caft Afperfions upon our Perfons and Characters, and feldom ftick to calumniate, or ridicule our good Works. Thefe are Difficulties which I know not well how r we can extricate our felves from 3 or by w*hat Means we can obtain fufficient Redrefs. If we betake our felves to Methods which the Laws direcl in Vindication of our Rights or injured Characters, 'tis no unufual Thing for the more obftinateand illiterate Sort immediately to turn their Backs upon the Church to defert and forfake its Worlhip and Communion. The next Step is to fhelter them- [*9 ] themfelves in a Conventicle, and by this Means they imagine, they fhall fully avenge themfelves upon their own Pallor, by running into the Embraces of fuch as are induftrious to promote Separation from the Church, to foment and encourage Divifions and Schifms. So that if we do but offer to make any Re- monftrance againft their Jll-Treatment, and will not fubmit to be impofed upon at every Occafion; 'tis a Hazard but we lofe a Part of our Congregations, as well as undergo a Deal of Reproach, of Calumny and Slander at the lame Time. The Indulgence allowed to Scrupulous Con- fciences, is a Thing in it felf molt certainly well intended. A Man of Candour and Mo- deration will make great Allowances for the Milapprehenfions of Sober-minded People, And therefore the Indulgence granted to Dif- fenters merely on Account of their religious Doubts and Scruples of Mind, is a Thing high- ly reafonable, under the proper Limitations provided by Law. However I cannot but bewail, that even the beft of Things, are fometimes perverted to ill Ufes. This was certainly very far from the Intention of the Law, that thofe Perfons ihould have any Manner of Benefit thereby, who defert their own, [go] iDwn Paftor out of Spite and Ill-will, and purely to gratify their ill-grounded Refent* ments. And if this be not Reafon fufficient for quite Shutting up that Door, as I will not take upon ine to fay it is ; I am certain 'tis an inconteftable Argument, why that Door fhould be made no wider, why the Fences and Boundaries of the Church fhould not be thrown up or enlarged. The late Attempts of the Diflenters cannot but afford juft Matter of Surprize, if we only examine a little into the Unreafonablenefs of their Expectations. The Conftitution of this Nation is known to confifl of two Parts, Ecclefiaftical and Civil. And thefe two Parts of the Conftitu- tion are fo interwoven and blended together, that the main Body of our Laws have a mu- tual Reference and Allufion to each. 'Tis vaftly furprizing therefore that the DifTen- ters A who have an avowed Difaffedtion to one Part of the Conftitution, fhould have the Confidence to attempt a Repeal of the TeSi j4ti y which was provided for a Security to the prefent Eftablifhment both in Church and State. Have the Diflenters ever been able to prove that the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is an unlawful Tefl? Suppofing the Sacrament has at any Time been profaned on this [31 ] this Account ; is the Church of England' chargable with that, or will not the Guilt of fuch Profanation reft on the Heads of thein only, who have received it unworthily ? Does the Church of England oblige any One, not being duly prepared, to go directly and receive the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, contrary to the Terms and Directions of the Gofpel ? No One can affirm this confiftently with Truth. If the Diflenters will depart from the beft conftituted Church in the World, where there are no unlawful Terms of Communion impofed upon them, and where every Thing relating to Doctrine or Worfhip is founded on Scripture, and built upon the Model of the Primitive Church ; this is certainly a very inefficient Reafon, why the Legillative Pow- er fhould alter the Conftitution to gratify them, at the certain Expence of difobliging the Bulk of the Nation in general: For it muft be allowed that the Diflenters only, are but a fmall and inconfiderable Number of People, in Comparifon of the Members of the Efta- blifhed Church. With what Face can a Set of People under fuch Circumftances attempt an Alteration or Repeal of the Laws ? Surely inftead of aiming ac [ 3i] at any Innovations or Infringements upon out Church, they ought to be well fatisfied and fincerely thankful for t ho fe ample Indulgences they have hitherto enjoy'd, whereby they are fet free from all Manner of Perfecution on Account of their Diflentions, and have moreover a Liberty of worfhipping God in their own Way. But fo far from having a grateful Senfe of thefe Advantages, we find them on the Con- trary molt heavily complaining and venting their Spleen, for not having a fhare in thofe Offices of Truft, which the Wifdom of the Legiflature has thought proper to confine within the Members of the national Efta- blifhed Church. And in Order to fupport their unreafonable Pretentions, they make a mighty flir about their Natural Rights ; as if thofe Rights, as they arepleafed to call them, were^n indifpu table Plea for an Admiflion to Power. But if this Plea of theirs proves any Thing at all, will it not be found to prove too much ? Do they not forget, that this very Argument will hold for the Papifts as well as themfelves? I would therefore hereupon ask the DifTenters one fhort Queftion ; Do they think that the Papifts ought to be trufted with Power and the Adminiftration of the Laws? "Laws? I believe T may venture to take it for granted, that they would anfvver in the Ne- gative. And the mofl obvious Reafon for iuch an Anfwer would be, the Difaffe&ion which the Papifts are conceived to have, to our prefent Eftablifhment in Church and State. And will not the fame Reafon hold good for excluding the DifTenters, in Regard to their Difaffec"lion to one Part of the Con- ititution ? I aver that it will. What ! is the Purity of that Doctrine, and the Manner of that Worfhip prefcribed by our Church, of fo little Concern, as to be given up at the Cla- mours of fome prefumptuous Sectaries ? They would indeed be thought to have an extraordinary and uncommon Degree of Zeal for the Support of the Government, and the Civil Adminiftration in the Proteftant Line. But can it be thought reafonable, that one part of our Conftitution fhould be given up as a Compliment on that Account ? Allowing what they alfert to be true inRefpedl to their Attachment to the fecular Branch ; I would fain know what extraordinary merit they can raife from hence? Surely this is but a jufl: Tribute for the Security of their Perfons, and thofe feveral Immunities wherewith the Laws of the Land have thought fit to indulge them. E And C 3+] And therefore how plaufible foever they may imagine it to be, certainly this is butafhallow Pretence. For can it be fuppofed, that there is any Thing more in this pretended Zeal of theirs, than as it is founded in an Oppolition to the unwarrantable Claims in Behalf of a Popifh Adminiftration and Government? And may it not be fa id, without derogating from their Zeal in this Particular, that the Clergy and People of the Church of England are as little defirous of a Popifh Adminiftration, as the warmed of them ? If the Toleration fliould ever be permitted to break in upon the Eftablifhment, what will become of the Merit of that Revolution, which we yearly commemorate as a Day of Thankfgiving? The Security of ourConftitu- tion in both its Branches, was the principal. Bufinefs of that happy Revolution. And as the I^aws now ftand upon that Foot, there is fo clofe a Connection between Church and State, that the Security of the Former is, in every refpecl, as much the Concern of the Adminiftration, as the Welfare of the Latter, So that if the Roman Catholicks are juftly fubjecled to divers Limitations on Account of their DifarFeclion to both Branches of the Conftitution; certainly the Diflenters areas juftly r»3 juftly fubjecled to an Incapacity of holding Offices and Places of Truft, by Reafon of their Difaffeclion to the Eftabliflied Church. If the DilTenters. could convince Mankind in general, that in making thcChurcb of England a Fundamental Part of the Conftitution, our Anceftors had eftabliflied a corrupted Faith and Worfhip; I muft own in fuch Cafe, their Applications to the Legiflature would be very juft and proper. This whenever they have attempted to do, they have conftantly been defeated and put to filence. But notwith- ftanding they have never yet been able to do this, they ftill infift upon their natural Rights, and call out for Power to enable them to van- quifli by Force and Strength, what they never could do by Reafon and Argument. If it be lawful for the Civil Power to protect and aflift the Church, or to fupport Religion by the Influence of any Human Authority whatfoever ; then certainly there can be no juft Ground of Complaint in Regard to the Privileges annexed to our Church. Neither can any good Reafon be given, why the Church onceconftituted by publick Authority, fhould not require fome authentick Tefti- mony and Evidence of Aflent, fome Affurance of Conformity both to its Doclrine and Dif- E t cipline, cipline, from thofe that are to be employed in its publick Miniftrations. Jf there ought to be Churches at all in the World, (as accord- ing to Scripture Rule 'tis certain there ought) then there is an ablolute Neceflity of a fpecial Defignation of Perfons for the Miniftry, be- caufe the very Form and ElTence of a Church confifts in the Exercife of Minifterial A&s, in the Preaching of the Word, and Adminiftra- tion of the Sacraments. Does not the Thing therefore fpeak it felf, that for the Preferva- tion of Order and Decency in the Church, there mult be Authority fomewhere lodged, to ad- mit or exclude fuch Perfons as offer them- felvesfor the Work of the Miniftry. Where then is the Hard/hip of Tefls and Subfcriptions, fo loudly complained of by the Adverfaries of the Church ? Nothing is more certain than that every Man has a Right to ufe his own Judgment in Matters of Religion. A blind Obedience, or an implicit Faith, is in no wife a Doclrine of the Church of Eng- land. As the Scripture alone is the true Rule of Faith, every Man is concerned to make S&ebeft Enquiries he can into the Senfe and SJBtoing contained therein. But is not this a ma nijeit Reafon, why the Church in like ManneSfaight to judge for it felf ? Shall every In- C 37 I Individual in the Commonwealth have a Right to make Enquiry into the Meaning of Scripture, and to form a Judgment in Purjfu- ance thereof; and fhall not the Church have a Liberty to do the fame ? Surely no One can deny that Privilege to the Church, which e- very Chriftian has a Title to claim. This is fo plain a Cafe, that 1 wonder any ferious and eoniiderate Perfon ifiould porfibly miftake it. The Church in ordaining Men for the Mi- uiftry executes a Truft, for which She ftands accountable to Almighty God, for a right and regular Difcharge of the fame. By whofe Judgment then in a Cafe of that Moment, fhall the Church be determined ; ought She not in all Reafon to be determined by her own ? Yes certainly. Nothing can be plainer or more evident than this. For as every pri- vate Man's Judgment is allowed to be the Meafure of his own Conduct, the Cafe is the fame, or rather fomewhat ftronger, in Re- gard to thole, who are legally veiled with publick Authority. This has been the ftand^ mg Practice of all Nations and religious Com- munities ; yea, even where Men of the fani Perfvvafion with the Diflenters thenjfidpfs have been in Authority, 'tis notoriagjrthat they have conftantly rejected eyj^^Thing thac [38] that had an Afpect towards a Compreheniloni alledging that it would beeftablifhing Iniqui- ty by a Law. And therefore it was a heavy Implication of a mean Opinion of Perfons at the Helm, to think they were fo regardlefs of the Interefts of Religion, as to give up one main Branch of the Conftitution, at the Cla- mours of a few intemperate Schifma ticks, in Contradiction to the Judgment of the more cool and conliderate Fart among their own Body ; and according to my View of Things, is fuch a Piece of Boldnefs offer'd towards the Adminiftration, as even to deferve fome pub- lick Mark of Reproof, 1 mall clofe this Point in the Words of a Judicious Writer on the fame Occafion : " If the Members of the Church of England " are obliged in their own Defence to expofe " the Diflenters to Refentment, they only are "anfw^rable for it, who give the Occafion. Lord Bifhop of that Diocefe.