FROM A D MINISTER to his CURATE FOR THE MANAGEMENT of his PARISH. "If ever there be a public Reformation among us, it must begin at the Houfe of God; and they, who are the Minifters "of Religion, muft lead on this Work, and be more care"ful and confcientious in the Difcharge of that high and "holy Office, which is committed to them by the great Shepherd, and Bishop of Souls. 66 Archbishop TILLOTSON. "The main Support of Piety and Morals confifts in the pa rochial Labours of the Clergy. If this Country is to "be preferved from utter Profligatenefs and Ruin, it "must be by their Means: And take Notice, they "cannot lofe their Influence, but in a great Meafure by "their own Fault." Archbishop SECKER. The SECOND EDITION, LONDON: Printed for JOHN, FRANCIS and CHARLES RIVINGTON, Bookfellers, at the Bible and Crown (No 62) in St Paul's Churchyard. And fold by E. PALMER in. THE PREFACE. HE following Hints were drawn ΤΗ for the Ufe of his Curate by the Rector of a Country Parish, whose weak State of Health, and fome peculiar Circumstances oblige Him to live the greatest Part of the Year at a Diftance from it:--He nevertheless preaches every Sunday, refides two Months in the Year on his Living, and is encou raged to hope, that he has already been, and by the Bleffing of God ftill may be, the Inftrument of fome Good to his Parishioners; though not of fo much as He probably might be, were he conftantly refident, which would be more fatisfactory to Himself, and which on many. Accounts He earnestly wishes to be: But his "Lack of Service" is in a confiderable Degree fupplied by his Curate, who endeavours confcientiously to obferve what is herein recommended to Him. It may be neceffary to obferve by Way of Apology for the Inaccuracies, and and Egotifms in this little Piece, that it was originally the private Letters of a Minister to his Curate, which would never have been published, had it not been at his repeated Defire ;-tofave the Trouble of making Tranfcripts occafionally requested by intimate Friends; -and in Hope, that it might be of fome Ufe to young Clergymen, when they first undertake the Care of a Parish. It may be objected, that this Plan cannot be executed in large Parishes, even in the Country, and much lefs in great Towns, and Cities.-Granted, that in every Particular it cannot; but in fome Meafure (allowing for the Difference of Circumstances) it is apprehended to be practicable in all Situations; though every Minifter muft judge for Himself how far He can execute it, and with what Profpect of Succefs.-"To his own Mas"ter He ftandeth, or falleth," (Rom.xiv. 4.)He is therefore to pursue whateverMethod He thinks most likely to promote the Good of the Souls committed to his Charge; and to answer the Ends of his Miniftry in his own Parish: But it should ever be remembered, that He acts in the Sight of God, to whom He muft one Day be accountable. * The The prevailing Levity, Diffipation, and Iniquity of the Times, fhould animate Ministers to exert themselves, and to do all in their Power to fave their Fellow-creatures. Let none then be afraid of coming too clofely to the Confciences of their People, either in the Pulpit, or out of it, if they wifh" to open their Eyes, to turn them from "Darkness to Light, and from the "Power of Satan unto God;" (Acts xxvi. 18.) and to have them experimentally acquainted with that vital, practical Holinefs, which thefe Hints are published with a fincere Defire to promote. Every Clergyman would do well to afk his own Heart this very important Question, "What is MY DUTY in "fuch a Station, or fuch a Relation?" And then to discharge it faithfully and properly; comforting Himself with the Thought, that (bad as the World is) there are even yet some ferious, rational Chriftians, who will hear and be edified; and highly refpect thofe, who act confiftently with their facred Character and Office; that whatever Difcouragement He may meet with from fuch, as |