An enquiry into the duties of men in the higher and middle classes of society in Great Britain, resulting from their respective stations, professions, and employments. The third edition, corrected. By Thomas Gisborne, M.A. In two volumes. ... 1795: Vol 2
Gisborne, Thomas.
ſenſes — =. „ — — "_— K W e e e eee 7 77 8 „ * IGCG——;—ð !ñw. x IE > 1 * * ? ' — — Ts —_ A ́gm ů , ½ ,ẽũ⏓ẽẽ . — d m „ PPUPUPUPUuMU .. e FM OED EARCSGS 7 «<a THE CLERICAL PROFESSION, 31 ſenſes will ſatisfy the Legiſlature. Yet as a latitude in itſelf of ſo indefinite a nature, and extending to ſuch a multiplicity of particulars, is always liable to be enlarged by the ſub- ſcriber in proportion to his difficulties, until at length it exceeds almoſt all bounds; it ſhould ſeem that a reviſal of the articles, under the auſpices of the Bench of Biſhops, for the purpoſe of omitting ſuch as may now be fuperfluous, and ſimplifying thoſe which are obſcure, would contribute equally to the inte- reſts of the eſtabliſhed Church, and to the credit and comfort of its Miniſters (m). Againſt this temptation to uſe unwarrant- able latitude in interpreting the articles, it is the duty of every one, who ſtudies them with a view to ſubſcription, honeſtly and di- ligently to guard. A deſire previouſly formed of entering into the Church; the difficulties and inconveniencies of turning to another line of life ; the ſuggeſtions of intereſt 1n all its ſhapes, referring to paſt expences and to future pro- ſpects; theſe and other circumſtances will (n) See ſupra, p. 2022. be 32 ON THE DUTIES OF be very apt to bias the judgement, and in- fluence the determination, of the enquirer. Let him never forget his danger; let him ex- amine the meaning of the ſeveral articles with upright views and impartial inveſtigation; let him not content himſelf with peruſing what has been written in their defence; but qualify himſelf to form a ſatisfactory deciſion reſpect- ing their conformity to the Scriptures, in the ſame manner in which he would enable him- ſelf to determine any other controverted point, by informing himſelf of the principal argu— ments alleged againſt them, and appretiating with equal deliberation and fairneſs what he finds urged on either ſide of the queſtion. Let him remember, that if he ſubſcribes while perplexed by diſtracting doubts, and without peace and ſatisfaction of mind, he not only in- curs preſent guilt; and guilt too which will be likely to be continually aggravated, as long as he remains a Miniſter of the eſtabliſhed Church with his ſcruples unremoved ; but entails upon himſelf conſtant uneaſineſs and diſquiet, and conſtant temptations to endeavour to blind his judgement and ſtifle his conviction ; tempta- tions which will increaſe in proportion to the length THE CLERICAL PROFESSION. 33 n of time 1 which he ſhall have been a Minifter of the national Church, and to the preferment and profits which he derives from it. If the reſult of his enquiries and reflections ſhould be ſuch, that he feels himſelf incapable of making the neceſſary ſubſcription with a ſafe and quiet conſcience, let him deſiſt from his inter.tion of enrolling himſelf among the Clergy of the eſtabliſhment. It may not be ſuperfluous to remark, that the uſe of unjuſtifiable means in gaining teſti- monials, certificates, or titles; and attempts to impoſe on the Biſhop by procuring the aſſiſtance of others in the exerciſes and com- politions enjoined previous to ordination as trials of the candidate's abilities and attain- ments, can be conſidered in no other light than in that of frauds; and of frauds com- mitted on an occaſion when every feeling of conſcience ought to be awake, and when in- genuouſneſs and integrity are particularly re- _— II. We are in the next place to ſpeak of the conduct of a Miniſter of a pariſh. VOL, II. D „ 34 ON THE DUTIES OF But before the duties of the office are ſtated, let the young Clergyman be warned againſt reprehenſible methods of attaining the office Itſelf, Under this defcription are included all kinds of illegal and fimoniacal proceedings, whether appearing in the ſhape of direct pay- ments of money, of general bonds of reſigna- tion, or of contrads to cede any actual or probaule rights of the living, to Tower tithes or dues, or not to augment them, or to transfer to any other perſon a portion of the produce of the benefice ; and all inſincere and diſhonour- able means of conciliating a patron's favour, as by pretending to concur in the peculiarities of his religious opinions, or in his ſentiments reſpecting political meaſures, the characters of individuals, ſubjects of local diſcuſſion, or other topies incidentally brought forward in converſation (); by ſubmitting to be his agent in (1) To ſome of the temptations here enumerated, a young Clergyman received into the families of Biſhops, or of Lay Peers, or of wealthy Commoners, as a chaplain, or as a private tutor to their children, is particularly expoſed. His ſituation indeed, whatever advantages it may poſſeſs, is a poſt of danger; and the utmoſt vigilance is neceſſary to preſerve him from gaining habits of aflectation, vanity, : and THE CLERICAL PROFESSION. 35 in the venal traffic of elections; by ſtudi- ouſly becoming the conſtant companion of his field ſports ; or by partaking of the intemper- ance of his table, and acquieſcing in ſcenes of vice, riot, and profaneneſs. In the caſe of lectureſhips, and other elective employments in the church, let no impoſition be practiſed to captivate the voters and delude their igno- rance; nor let any attempt be made, if they are tradeſmen, or in more humble ſtations, to over- awe their free choice by the authority and in- fluence of men on whoſe favour they are de- pendent. If a living is to be held for a minor, let no reſerve or ſubterfuges be practiſed to conceal the tranſaction. And let not prefer- ment be ſought in any caſe with a degree of _ anxiety inconſiſtent with a full and lively con- viction of the ſuperintending wiſdom and goodneſs of Providence. Among the peculiar functions. of the Mini- ſter of a pariſh, the celebration of divine wor- and ſelf-conceit; imbibing lofty ideas and expectations, and contracting a time-ſerving diſpoſition, and that abject deference to the Great, which is often found united with _ arrogance towards equals and inferiors. * ſhip 36 ON THE DUTIES or ſhip naturally offers itſelf in the firſt place to our attention, The uſual times of public worſhip ought. never to be changed by the Miniſter for the purpoſe of ſuiting his own convenience, when his hearers will be incommoded or diſpleaſed by the alteration, and of courle be apt to re- lax in their attendance. There are perſons in every pariſh to whole minds the ſlighteſt pre- tence is a fuſficicnt apology for omitting to go to church; and they who take offence at the conduct of the Clergyman often gratify them- ſelves by the abſurd revenge of keeping away from his inftrutions. Neither ought any portion of the duty to which the congregation has been accuſtomed, either on Sundays or on holidays, to be diſcontinued. On the contrary, if any unreaſonable deficiency has hitherto prevailcd (and in particular with re- ſpect to the frequency of ſermons, and the recurrence of the ſacrament), a conſcientious Miniſter will be ſolicitous to obviate it for the future. In reading the liturgy, a natural, diſtinct, | and TIIE CLERICAL PROFESSION, 37 and moderately flow pronunciation, audible throughout the church, but not overſtrained ; appropriate to the ſeveral parts of the ſervice, but free from affected emphaſis; and that earneſt and impreſſive ſolemaity of manner which proves the heart of the Miniſter to be engaged in his employment, are qualifications of the higheſt importance. This remark muſt be extended to the recital of the baptiſmal office, and of other ſimilar parts of the book of common prayer ; which are ſometimes read with ſo much haſte and irreverence, as to loſe all appearance of being offices of religion, With reſpect to the compoſition (o) of ſer- 1 mons, (2) See Archbiſhop Secker's Third Charge to the Clergy of the Dioceſe of Canterbury ; and Mr. Paley's Advice to the young Clergy of the Dioceſe of Carliſle. The con- cluſion of the following extract from the latter perform- ance deſerves particular attention. ** I am far from re- e fuſing you the benefit of other men's labours; I only re- * quire that they be called in, not to flatter lazineſs, but e to aſſiſt induſtry. You find yourſelf unable to furniſh « a ſermon every week ; try to compoſe one every month. « Depend upon it, you will conſult your own ſatisfaction as well as the edification of your hearers; and that, however inferior your compoſitions may be to thoſe of D 3 « Others 38 ON THE DUTIES OF mons, the only obſervations proper to be ſug- geſted in this place are, that they ſhould be plain, and that they ſhould be Chriſtian diſ- _ courſes, A ſermon which is above the capacity of the congregation to which it is addreſſed is . uſeleſs or diſguſting. In almoſt every congre- gation the poor and unlearned form by much the larger part ; and, univerſally, the meaning of the preacher muſt be caught at once, or it is totally loſt. Hence the peculiar neceſſity of plainneſs in propounding the ſubject to be diſcuſſed, and in the manner of treating it. Our rule therefore, while it requires, in dif- courſes addreſſed to ordinary congregations, a . ſimple and perfectly obvious arrangement, and, in moſt caſes, the profeſſed diviſion of the ſubjects into a few general heads; pro- ' ſcribes the bewildering multiplicity of ſub- © others in ſome reſpects, they will compenſate for many & defects by a cloſer application to the ways and manners, te the actual thoughts, reaſoning, and language, the errors, “ doubts, prejudices and vices, the habits, characters, and s propenſities of your congregation, than can be expected © from borrowed diſcourſes.” 5 1 diviſions, rr "0 UE CLERICAL PROFESSION. 39 diviſions, frequently deſtitute of actual diſ- tinction, which was common among eminent divines early in the preſent century ; together with all long and complicated ſentences, ob- {cure metaphors, refined ornaments of lan- guage and compoſition, learned references to Pagan philoſophers and Chriſtian fathers, and prolix digreſſions from the main topics ſug- geſted by the text. Let it not be ſaid, that the effect of a cloſe obſervance of this rule | would be to render ſermons vulgar and unim- preſſive. He, who conceives that ſimplicity of ſtyle and language has any natural connec- tion with feebleneſs and vulgarity, ſhews him- {elf totally unacquainted with the fundamental principles of taſte and excellence in writing. He, who ſolicitoully ſeeks to diſtinguiſh him- ſelf in the pulpit by a diſplay of elegance of expreſſion and profundity of learning, proves himſelf deficient in ſome of the leading virtues which ought to characteriſe a Chriſtian Mi- niſter. Again: Let not the ſermons of a Miniſter of the Goſpel be moral treatiſes appealing chiefly to maxims of natural reaſon and ab- D 4 ſtract 40 ON THE DUTIES OF ſtract ethical ſpeculations, and neglecling the inſpired precepts and the characteriſtic doc- trines of Chriſtianity. © We (þ) have in fact * loſt many of our people to ſectaries, by not « preaching in a manner ſufficiently evangeli- « cal; and ſhall neither recover them from ce the extravagances into which they have „run, nor keep more from going over to « them, but by returning to the right way, “and declaring all the counſel of God.”— “Reflections (9) have been made upon us, of different natures and with different views, « on account of theſe things, by Deiſts, by 9 « Papiſts, by brethren of our own, which it «Gig eaſy to ſhew have been much woo ſevere. “ But the only complete vindication of our- 4 ſelves will be to preach fully and frequently © the doctrines, which we are unjuſtly accuſed of caſting off or undervaluing ; yet fo as to « reſerve always a due ſhare of our diſcourſes, * which 1t 1s generally reported ſome of our « cenſurers do not, for the common duties of 2 common life, as did our Saviour and his (0 ) Archbiſhop decker s Charges, 5 edition, London, 1780, P- 299, | (47) Ibid. p. 237. 5 te Apoſtles, THE CLERICAL PROFTSSION., 41 & Apoſtles. But then we muſt enforce them & chiefly by motives peculiarly Chrittian ; I « will not ſay only by ſuch ; for the Scrip- „ture adds others.“ The remarks already made concerning the reading of the liturgy are applicable to the delivery of ſermons. And to them it may be added, that as preaching is that part of the public ſervice in which the Miniſter is moſt liable to be enſnared by vanity and the deſire of applauſe; it ſhould be his uniform endea- vour, that all perſonal conſiderations be loſt in a deep ſenſe of the awful functions in which he is engaged. Another very important branch of the duty of a Clergyman, yet one which, it is to be fear- ed, is frequently neglected, is the private in- ſtruction of his pariſhioners. Every Clergyman, at his ordination, ſolemnly promiſes to uſe to- wards thoſe who ſhall be entruſted to his care, not only public but frivate monitions, as need Hall require, and occaſion ſhall be given. The uſes of private inſtruction are manifold ; and its place is not to be ſupplied by the moſt able TS | | and 42 ON THE DUTIES or and earneſt diſcourſes from the pulpit. In his private addreſſes, the Miniſter of a pariſh reaches thoſe who abſent thetnſelves from his public labours ; and affeds others whom thoſe labours have failed to convince and reform. He ſeizes the fit moment, when the mind is diſengaged from preſling avocations, or the heart ſoftened by calamity. He adapts his proceedings to the particular caſe of the individual ; he enters into his ſituation, feel- ings, and habits; he obviates prejudices, he reclifies miſconceptions, he reſolves doubts, he quiets ſcruples, he repels excuſes and evaſions, the exiſtence of which he had not even ſuſpected. He comes cloſely to the point; and preſſes his arguments with a de- gree of ſtrict and undeviating application to the thoughts and defects of the perſon with whom he is converſing, which it would have been improper to aim at, and impoſſible to | attain, in a diſcourſe delivered to a public congregation, He probes the heart to the bottom, placing before the eyes of the vicious the preciſe image of their depravity ; en- couraging the timid, confirming the irreſo- lute, and eſtabliſhing the devout in their pletyz THE CLERICAL PROFESSION, 43 piety; and experiencing at the ſame time, for he can ſcarcely fail in ſome degree to experi- ence, a reciprocal impreſſion from his own precepts on his own breaſt. The inſight which a Clergyman acquires into the ſtate of his flock, in the courſe of his private exertions, is of eſſential ſervice in promoting the efficacy of his public preaching, by guiding his judge- ment as to the topics to be ſelected for ſer- mons, and as to the manner of treating them. Among the beneficial effects reſulting from private inſtruction, another muſt yet be men- tioned. In proportion as this duty is leſs oſtenſibly impoſed on the Miniſter than the ſtated performance of the weekly ſervice of the church, his activity will bear, in the appre- henſion of his pariſhioners, the marks of more genuine and affectionate ſolicitude for their welfare; and will therefore be likely, while it raiſes him in their eſtimation and regard, to have a powerful influence on their hearts and conduct. And though it be a duty which a young Clergyman will find it difficult at firſt to diſcharge to his ſatisfaction, perſeverance will render it eaſier to him every day. Private 44 ON THE DUTIES OF Private diſcourſe on the ſubje& of religion is particularly applicable to the fick ; and is to a certain degree preſcribed in the ofhces pro- vided for their uſe in the book of common prayer. Sickneſs naturally diſpoſes the mind to ſeriouſneſs and reflection; and, by with- drawing its attention and looſening its attach- ment from the objects of the preſent world, fits it for eltimating according to their real importance the concerns of that which is to come. A (lergyman who is deeply impreſſed with the awfulneſs of the charge which his miniſtry lays upon him, and remembers that e there (7) is joy in the preſence of the angels &* of God over one finner that repenteth, will not ſuffer his pariſhioners to want his in- ſtructions at the moment when they are likely to be received with more than common glad- neſs and effect. He will ſpeak to them with plainneſs the great truths of the Goſpel ; he will adapt his exhortations, his counſel, his re- proofs, to the paſt actions and the preſent | Rate of the individual whom he addreſſes. And while he ſhews to him every mark of (r) Luke xv. 10. that THE CLERICAL PROFESSION. 45 that compaſſionate tenderneſs which his ſitua- | tion demands, he will beware of an error into which Clergymen are not unfrequently led by miſtaken pity, that of affording .groundleſs conſolations and unwarrantable hopes to the flick; and of thus teaching their liſtening re- lations to believe, that a few days of forrow and contrition on a death-bed may be deemed ſufficient to wipe away the guilt of a long and vicious lite. But private inſtruQion is not to be confined to the chambers of infirmity and diſeaſe. The healthy and robuſt are perhaps thoſe who ſtand in the greateſt need of it. They may be forgetting the reſolutions and breaking the promiſes which they formerly made in ſick- neſs; or, having ſeldom been reminded of their mortality by confinement and pain, may be immerſed in worldly buſineſs or in ſinful courſes, and thoughtleſs of future judgement. Caſual meetings, and viſits purpoſely made and repeated, will afford a Clergyman many opportunities of endeavouring to awaken and reclaim them. He makes the attempt per- haps, and fails. It was his duty however to Ln make = ON TRE DUTIES or make it. And how does he know but that the ſeed which he has ſown, though now it appears inert and lifeleſs, may ſpring up and bear fruit hereafter ? Let him not deſpair too ſoon, nor content himſelf with a ſingle trial. Circumſtances may change for the better, and a ſecond or a third effort be ſucceſsful. It was undoubtedly the direction of our Saviour to the firſt preachers of his religion,“ not to call te their pearls before ſwine ;” and it is a direc- tion ſtill to be remembered. But thoſe whom God permits to live, his Miniſters ſhould be very flow to pronounce irreclaimable. A conſcientious Clergyman will bear in mind, that the ſalvation of the illiterate and indigent man is not leſs valuable in the fight of God than that of the rich and the learned; and will not be led by pride to neglect the poor, or to treat them with ſuperciliouſneſs in the courſe of his private inſtructions. Neither will he be deterred from privately addreſſing particular individuals among his pariſhioners, on the ſubject of vices with which they are notoriouſly chargeable, by the mere circum- | ſtance of their being wealthy, or in elevated ſtations, or voluntary contributors to his own annual THE CLERICAL PROFESSION. 47 annual emoluments. Honeſt and diſintereſted | boldneſs in the path of duty is one of the firſt qualifications of a Miniſter of the Goſpel, But let his whole conduct be the evident reſult of piety and conviction, and plainly animated by the ſpirit of brotherly love. Let his ad- monitions be conveyed in a ſuitable manner, and at ſeaſons prudently choſen ; and let them, in general, be kept permanently ſecret from the world. Let him neither be diſconcerted nor irritated by neglect; nor even by open rude- neſs, contempt, and injurious recrimination. A calm and mild endurance of ſuch treatment is his duty as a Chriſtian; and in the end it may contribute to produce, what in many ſimilar inſtances it has been acknowledged greatly to have forwarded, a change of heart and life in the culpable party, unable to for- bear from ſubſequent reflection on the dif- ference between the ſpirit and conduct of his adviſer and his own, and on the principles from which that difference aroſe. The inſtruction of young perſons previ- ouſly to their being confirmed is an important branch of clerical duty. Let no one follow the 48 ON THF DUTIES OF the blamable and pernicious example of thoſe Clergymen, who, after hearing each of the chiluren utter a few tentences in haſte and by rote, give them tickets for confirmation as a matter of courſe, Cate ought to be taken not merely that they {hall be able accurately to recite the church catechiſm, but that they ſhall be competent to give a clear account of the doctrines and of the leading precepts which it contains; and ſhall allo underſtand the full import of the rite in which they are about to bear a part. Numbers of them will be altogether delicient in theſe qualifications, if the Clergyman is too indolent or too care- leſs to take the pains of repeatedly directing the attention of parents to the ſubject ; and of _ explaining to the children in familiar language the ſeveral parts of ihe catechiſm, and of the office of confirmation; and of again and again examining them 1ndividually before they are preſented to the Biſnop. The impreſſions thus made on their young minds may frequently be ſtrengthened and rendered durable by ſub- ſequent converſation and advice. The catechiſing of children is a pra Nice re- quired THE CLERICAL PROFESSION. 49 quired by the canons from the Miniſter of a pariſh. In many places the hackwardneſs of parents to ſend their children, joined to other cauſes, has occaſioned it to be diſcontinued. The inſtitution of Sunday ſchools is admirably adapted to remedy this defect; and on that account, as well as by accuſtoming the riſing generation to regular attendance on public worſhip, and to habits of early piety, deſerves the warmeſt ſupport of the parochial Clergy. Every Miniſter of a pariſh, in which no Sun- day ſchool is eftabliſked, ſhould make it his object to procure the immediate eſtabliſhment of one or more, unleſs ſome very peculiar circumſtances render the plan unneceflary ; and when they are eſtabliſhed, he ſhould care- fully ſuperintend them. He will there find a number of catechumens collected before him. By occaſional, yet ſufficiently frequent, exami- nations he will enſure their being taught not merely to repeat, but to underſtand; and by the judicious diſtribution of little rewards will excite a laudable deſire to excel in regularity, diligence, obedience, knowledge, and piety. Where charity-ſchools of other deſcriptions exiſt, the Clergyman of the place, by beſtow- VOL, 11. E. ing * Fo ON THE DUTIES or ing ſimilar attention upon them, commonly performs an office no lels acceptable to the truſtees, than beneficial to the young perſons concerned, St. Paul's admonition to Archippus, © Take * heed to the miniſtry () which thou haſt re- e ceived in the Lord, that thou fulfil it,“ ſhould be regarded by every Miniſter of the Goſpel as addreſſed to himſelf. A Clergyman, by frequently comparing his conduct (7) with the engagements into which he entered at his ordination, may diſcern how far he ful- fils his miniſtry. But there are few methods by which he can form a truer eſtimate of the degree in which he diſcharges his duty, than by conſidering what would be the conduct of St. Paul, if now alive; and placed in all re- (s) Coloſſ. iv. 17. (t) A ſettled habit of carefully reading the office of ordi- nation, and inſtituting this compariſon at certain periodi- cal ſeaſons, as in the Ember weeks, in every year, is ear- neſtly and with great juſtice recommended by Archbiſhop Secker in his Inſtructions to Candidates for Orders; and by Biſhop Burnet in his Paſtoral Care ; Glaſgow 1762, p- 101, 102. What is not done at ſtated times is too of- ten not done at all. ſpecte — CF" OT. i OE” oo SY _— be i A THE ELERICAL PROFESSION, 51 ſpects in his circumſtances and ſituation. The conduct which the Apoſtle required of Chriſ- tian Miniſters in his own time is ſtated in the directions (directions equally applicable at the preſent day) which he gave to his favourite pupil. “I charge () thee before God and the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who ſhall judge the quick and dead at his appearing in his kingdom; * preach the word; be inſtant in ſeaſon, out of & ſeaſon;” (not only at the ſtated periods of worſhip, but at all other times when fit opportu- nities occur; not only when your exertions will be taken kindly, but even when they will raiſe diſpleaſure and give offence, if yet they ap- pear likely on the whole to do good) © re- * prove, rebuke, exhort, with all longſuffering * and doctrine.” Be thou an (x) example « of the believers, in word, in converſation, in « charity, in ſpirit, in faith, in purity, Give * attendance to reading, to exhortation, to « doctrine; meditate upon theſe things ; give * thyſelf wholly to them, that thy profiting. «© may appear unto all. Take heed unto thy- « ſelf and unto thy doarine; continue in (u) 2 Tim. iv. 1, 2. (x) m Tim. iv. 12— 16. E 2 « them; 52 ON THE DUTIES or them; fie] in doing this thou ſhalt ſave both « thyſelf and them that hear thee.” How ſtrictly conformable the conduct of St. Paul himſelf was to theſe injundtions appears inci- dentally in various parts of his own writings ; and ſtill more clearly in the book of the Acts of the Apoſtles. Hence he could confidently appeal to the elders of the Church of Epheſus, when he bade them farewell with a foreboding that he ſhould never ſee them more, for their teſtimony of his zeal and perſeverance in the execution of his office; taking them to re- cord (), that for the ſpace of three years during which he had been among them, © he had not « cealed to warn every one night and day « with tears; that he had kept back nothing that was profitable unto them, but had „ ſhewn and taught them publicly, and from «* houſe to houſe ; and that he was (z) pure « from the blood of all men, for that he had (y) Acts xx. 17, &c. (2) So Ezekiel, c. iu. ver. 17, 18. © Son of man, I have made thee a watchman to the houſe of Ifracl.—If thou ſpeakeſt not to warn the wicked from his wicked « way to fave his life, he ſhall die in his iniquity, but his * blood will ! require at thy hand.” % not THE CLERICAL PROFESSION, 53 © not ſhunned to declare unto them all the * counſel of God.” Well therefore, after the example which he had given them, might he deliver to them, and through them to the Mt- niſters of the Goſpel in all ages, that ſolemn charge: Take heed unto yourſelves, and to « all the flock, over which the Holy Ghoſt * hath made you overſeers, to feed the church «© of God, which he hath purchaſed with his „ own blood.” And well might he exclaim with holy joy, when, believing the time of his departure to be at hand, he looked back on his paſt labours: © I have fought a good fight (aa); I have finiſhed my courſe; I have „ kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteouſneſs, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, ſhall give me at e that day.” Among St. Paul's inſtructions to Timothy, which have recently been quoted, we find this direction, that he ſhould be © an example of « the believers ;” that he ſhould exhibit in his oven life a ſhining pattern of all thoſe Chriſtian virtues which he inculcated on his hearers. A direction of the ſame kind is given by St. (aa) 2 Tim. iv. 7, 8. | E 3 Paul 54 ON THE DUTIES OF Paul to Titus, with an intimation of the bene- ficial conſequences which the obſervance of it would produce in ſilencing and in precluding calumnious imputations, which would other- wile at once affect the preacher himſelf, and prevent the reception and effect of his doctrine. © In all things (55) ſhew thyſelf a pattern of good works; in doctrine ſhewing uncor- «© ruptnels, gravity, ſincerity, ſound ſpeech that © cannot be condemned; that he that is of * the contrary part may be aſhamed, having no evil thing to ſay of you.” Our Saviour had previouſly given ſimilar inſtructions to his Apoſtles; and had expreſsly pointed out the influence which their virtuous lives would have in promoting the diffuſion of Chriſtianity. Let your light (cc) ſq ſhine before men, that «© they may ſee your good works, and glorify “your father which is in heaven.“ The effects of poſitive vice in the conduct of a Clergyman are baneful in a meaſure beyond computation. Thaſe who are enernies to the Chriſtian faith will not fail to ſeize the ad- vantage afforded them; they will aſcribe to the clerical order in general the faults of (65) Titus ii. 7, 8. (cc) Matth. v. 16. | the THE CLERICAL PROFESSION. 55 the individual; they will profeſs, perhaps they will believe, that he who openly diſre- gards the precepts of the religion which he teaches, knows it to be an impoſture; and will thus be confirmed and hardened in their own (dd) infidelity. Thoſe Chriſtians who are (dd) On this point the authority of Biſhop Burnet is yery ſtrong. Speaking of unbelievers (Preface to the Paſtoral Care, Glaſgow 1762, p. The radical principle of the Chriſtian Religion itſelf will thus be diſcredited and rendered in- efficacious by his immorality. And further, his influence in his pariſh will be loſt ; his character will be rendered contemptible ; his capacity of diſcharging his official duties with effect will be radically impaired; his public inſtruAions, if he is not abandoned beyond compunction, will be narrowed and enervated by ſecret ſhame ; and private admonitions he will not dare to deliver, for fear of being an- ſwered by juſt recrimination. Effects nearly ſimilar to thoſe which have been deſcribed will be produced by the conduct of a Clergy- man, } : | ; : THE CLERICAL PROFESSION. $7 man, who, without having his character ſtain- ed by prominent wickedneſs, is devoid of the genuine ardour of piety, ſleeps torpidly on his poſt, and limits his exertions to the duties which law and cuſtom render indiſpenſable. Failings however which fall ſhort of groſs vice and ſcandalous neglect of duty are ſufhicient to lower in a very great degree the credit of a Clergyman, to diminiſh the utility of his Ja- bours, and to countenance general imputations on his order, and on Chriitianity. The eyes of mea are upon him, ſolicitous to pry into his defects and weakneſſes. Habits and ac- tions, which pals uncenſured in perſons of other profeſſions, will be noticed in him, not merely with that ſuperior degree of blame which they deſerve in conſequence of the nature of his office, but often with extreme and unmerited ſeverity. Hence the duty of « avoiding all appearance of evil,” even of the ſlighter degrees of evil, is particularly incum- bent on him. If he ſhews marks of levity and affectation in his manners, or of lurking vanity in his dreſs; if he is fond of pratifying his palate with delicacies, and becomes a cri- tic in the ſcience of cating and drinking ; if 4 | ..- he 58 ON THE DUTIES OF he is noted for attachment to field diverſions, or frequents the circle of diſſipated amuſe- ments; thoſe, who are in their hearts the leaſt anxious for the character of the clerical pro- feſſion, will be among the foremolt to expoſe him to ridicule and ſcorn, In every part of his private and domeſtic conduct, a Clergyman who is ſincerely deſi- rous of leading others to obey the Goſpel will ſhew himſelf deeply penetrated with a ſenſe of religion. He will earneſtly endeavour, as he is directed by (ee) St. Paul, and as he has promiſed at his ordination, © to (%%) frame * and faſhion his family, as well as himſelf, according to the doctrine of Chriſt, that „both may be wholeſome examples and pat- « terns to his flock.” His manner of living will not only be ſuited to his circumſtances, but characteriſed by moderation, plainneſs and ſobriety ; his children will be trained to early piety and an intimate knowledge of the Scriptures ; and his whole houſehold habitu- ally excited to the fear and love of God by (ee) 1 Tim. iii. 4, 5. 11, 12. | (ff?) See the Office of Ordination. family THE CLERICAL PROFESSION, 59 family prayer, as well as by a conſtant at- tendance on the public duties of Chriſtianity, He will recolle& how greatly the influence of temptations is increaled by the faſcinating power of habit and example ; and will be ſteadily on his guard againſt the effect of the bad cuſtoms, to which local circumſtances may particularly expoſe him. The village Clergy- man and the Miniſter of a pariſh in a large town have their common trials: each however has trials almoſt excluſively his own. Thus the former may be tempted by the obſcurity of his poſt to become remiſs in his profeſſional exertions. The latter may be ſeduced by the conſpicuouſneſs of his ſtation into a parade of diligence and piety, Or the former may be led by neighbouring ſquires and wealthy farmers into their attachment to field-ſports, and meetings of noiſy intemperance. The lat- ter is ſubject to the contagion of more refined luxuriouſneſs of living, and to the baneful effects of the continually recurring card-table. The former ſometimes contracts a ruſticity of man- ners and a coarſeneſs of ideas and phraſeology, which render whatever virtues he may poſſeſs leſs engaging, The latter, eſpecially if young, not 60 ON THE DUTIES OF not unfrequently becomes foppiſh and con- ceited ; corrupted by affeQation ; and glad to convince his aſſociates that he is ſuperior to what they term the ue of his profeſſion, and what he ought to regard as the purity of a Chriſtian, Whatever be the fituation of a Clergyman, let him on the one hand be cau- tious and ſclect in his ſociety, and maintain, on the other, a friendly and familiar inter- courſe with all claſſes of his pariſhioners, without ſervility towards the rich, or arro- gance towards the poor. He will not omit | thoſe occaſions, which the courſe of caſual converſation even in mixed companies not unfrequently affords, of diſſuading from folly, extravagance, and vice; ſometimes by a direct compariſon of the purſuits and practices in queſtion with Chriſtian principles; and ſome- times, as the time and circumſtances may render adviſable, by a leſs pointed reference to religion, and a more ample ſtatement of the preſent uneaſineſs and miſery which they produce. Abuſes which take place in the adminiſtra- tion of parochial affairs may frequently be corrected by the prudent interpoſition of the Clergyman ; and by his influence with thoſe | who are either not intereſted in their continu- ance, or not obſtinately averſe to co-operate in redreſſing them. Of this nature are par- tiality in the diſtribution of money collected at (gg) It ſometimes happens that a Clergyman poſſeſſes ſufficient medical knowledge to enable him to aſſiſt many of his poor pariſhioners with the gift of ſome ſimple me- dicines. The diſtribution of ſmall religious tracts may commonly be one very uſeful branch of a Clergyman's charity. the 62 ON THE DUTIES OF the ſacrament; the careleſs management of perverſion of charity eſtates ; and the neglect {ſometimes ſhewn by overſeers towards poor families in real diſtreſs, But a Clergyman, it muſt be admitted, will in common do wiſely in refraining from entering deeply into the adminiſtration of the buſineſs of the pariſh, except in ſtrong caſes ; ſince otherwile he may not improbably excite a degree of prejudice and odium againſt himſelf ſufficient greatly to ' Impede the effect of his labours in his peculiar ſphere. His interference has a marked pro- priety, when they whoſe immediate coneern it is to maintain the church in ſubſtantial re- pair, and in a ſtate of neatneſs, and well fur- niſhed with books and other appendages of divine worſhip, are inattentive to their duty. But let him take care that his pariſhioners may not be ſupplied with a pretext for exculing their own parſimony, by finding him tardy or avaricious in repairing that part of the fa- bric, the ſupport of which is by law required of the Miniſter ; or by ſeeing him impoveriſh and commit waſte on his glebe, and ſuffer his parſonage houſe and the buildings annexed to it to fall into decay, leaving his ſucceſſors to the THE CLERICAL PROFESSION, 63 the inadequate remedy of (5%) dilapidations. On the contrary, while he is cautious not to lay a burthen on future incumbents, by making the houſe which they are to inhabit too large in proportion to the income of the living ; let him improve it, if he is a man of affluence, to the extent of that limit, for their ſakes if not for his own (i). 