ble to the Poor; and always Zealous in the Promotion of Piety, and Extirpation of Vice; in which, I befeech God to Grant, That all who Read his Life, may be his faithful Followers, and strict Imi tators. Rich. Meath L. Derry, Sept. 2d. 1702, SIR, I that Brother to Publifh an Account of Mr. Bonnell's Life, and in it feveral Meditations compos'd by that Good Man. I am of Opinion, he will find it no eafie matter to do Juftice to his Memory or Character; there being fomething in bim fo peculiarly shining and attractive, that it's hard to give it a due Reprefentation in ones mind, much more to describe it fa, as to make others conceive it. I have look'd over feveral Pieces left by him, but perceive they are firft Drafts of his Thoughts; that be never revis'd them, and that they are rather Expreffions of the Devout Temper of his Mind, than Inftances of what he could have done, if he had defigned them for the Publick. For he had an Accuracy and Exadiness in kis Judgment, that few can eqnal ; and and was just to his Friends, when they put him to exercise it on any thing they had compos'd, but much more fevere to himself. His Tate of what was Excellent, was fo curious, that I do not remember him mistaken in aAuthor; or that the Excellencies or Failures of any that he read efcap'd him. ny I must confefs my felf unable to undertake fuch an excellent Piece, as, I figure to my felf the juft Image of Mr.Bonnell wou'd make; efpecially his Piety, Humility, and Sweetness of Temper,were fo Eminent and Singular,that he must have a very happy Pen,that can defcribe them fo,as to make the Reader apprehend the peculiar Charms and Graces that almost ravifh'd thofe that Convers'd with him. As to his Piety,it had a degree of Warmth and Zeal, that feem'd near Enthufiam; together with all the Solidity, Conftancy, and Regularity, that the Principles of Reason and Revelation are apt to produce,in a mind that fincerely gives it felf up to be conducted by them; the Example was most Edifying, and ftirr'd up many to Imitation. As to his Humility, and Sweetness of Tem per, they were extraordinary, and made him comply with his Friends,in feveral Inftances that otherwife wou'd have been very uneafie to him; he feem'd to have as little of Self in his own Opinions or Actions,as any that I ever knew; and cou'd, with the greatest Chear fulness fulness, facrifice his own Intereft and Eafe to the Publick, or his Friends. He had a peculiar Value for Friendship, and the Art, in Perfection, of managing it to advantage; especially that part of it, that is exercis'd in Reproofs; inwhich he was fuch a Mafter, that he cou'd gain access into the roughest Minds, and reprefent to them their Faults, with fo much Artifice, that they cou'd not but fee and acknowledge their Deformity, without being offended at him who held the Glafs to them: He cou'd do this,not only to Friends, (with whofe Humour he was acqnainted) but likewife to Strangers,with such a peculiarity of Addrefs, that be fometimes laid the Foundation of Friendship in a Reproof, tho' it be too often the Cause of its diffolution. He acted towards all with Prudence and Plainnefs; he cou'd very well penetrate into the Hearts and Defigns of Men. And his Difcoveries were attended with Faithfulness and Secrefie: His Friends were commonly without Referve towards him, and reckoned themselves fecure in their Applications to him, and his Advices to them. For my own part, I efteemed my felf very happy in the Interest I had in his FriendShip; the Remembrance of him sticks close to my Thoughts; I learned much from him, and I find a lofs in his Death not eafie to be [xx] be retrieved; whith renews my concern for him every time I think of him. Tho' therefore I can't much encourage the Publishing his Life, by reafon of the difficulty of the Subject; yet I heartily wish it may be fo done, as to fet my Friend's Cha racter in a due Light; which, I hope, might be a Benefit to the World: or that I could contribute any thing to it: Which is the hearty Defire and Wifh of To the Reverend Dr. Andrew Ha milton, Arch Deacon of Rapho Your Affectionate Humble Servant And Brother My Lord Bishop of Derry's Thoughts of Mr. Bonnell, will further appear from the Infcription on his Monument, Written by his Lordship. Limerick April 27.1705. Reverend Sir, I Do highly approve your defign of obliging the World with a new Edition of Mr. Bonnell's Life: For a faithful representation of thofe Chriftian Gra • ces ces which so eminently appeared in that Excellent Perfon, muft needs do the more good, the more Publick it is made. It is a Fault too vifible in fome who have apply'd themselves to the writing of Lives, that they are very lavish and Extravagant in the Commendation of those whofe Characters they pretend to Publifh; as if they Study'd more to raife their Value, than give an Impartial Account of their Merit. 'But the Gentleman, whofe Life you have undertaken, was in all refpects fo highly deferving, that you are in no less danger of being condemn'd by those who knew him, for not having done Juftice to his Memory, than by those who did not, for having over-rated his Worth 'I beseech God to affist you in this good Work, and reward you for it; and may all who come to the knowledge of 'Mr. Bonnell's Life, be provok'd to a pious Emulation of his Virtues, that at last they may reap the Fruits of their Piety in the Salvation of their Souls, I am, To the Reverend Mt. William Ha. shilton, Arch-dea con of Armagh, Reverend Sir, Tho. Lymerick, |