likewise by the amiableness of our behaviour to illustrate the power of godliness; alienating ourselves, as much as possible, from the unedifying conversation of the world by rigid temperance, and by a humble and holy life. The Apostle has expressed himself, upon this subject, in a manner peculiarly emphatical: Thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art, who teachest another, and teachest not thyself. Thou who knowest God's will, and art a guide of the blind, a light to them which are in darkness, an instructer, and a teacher, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God*?

To lead mankind to immortal happiness being the point to which all our studies ought to converge, how can we better make our light shine before men, or better support the dignity of the ministerial function, than by a sedulous inquiry into the learning of the Inspired Writings; an inquiry worthy of every Christian, gentleman, and scholar? Let it not be deemed merely declamatory, to press upon you the duty of searching those heavenly volumes with unremitting diligence. Whether we examine the historical, the prophetic, or the doctrinal parts of Scripture, we shall find them much more worthy of regard than the most elaborate compositions of Greece or Rome. The mysteries of Christianity are not intended simply to divert the imagination;

*Rom. ii. 1, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23.

they are the aweful truths of that glorious Gospel which is committed to our trust, and therefore demand our most serious attention.

"When Moses and Elias," says the celebrated Mr. Boyle, "left their local, not real heaven, and appeared in glory to converse with our transfigured Saviour on the Mount, their discourse was not of the government of kingdoms, the engagement of great armies, conquests, and revolutions of empires; but they discoursed upon the chief subject of the Inspired Book, the decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem, those meritorious passions, that miraculous death, that were to redeem and save a whole world." Surely then, when we consider these Books, dictated by the Spirit of God, as faithfully recording the actions of that Divine Master, under whose banners we have the honour to serve-we ought most earnestly to apply ourselves to the acquirement of the wisdom therein contained! Thus shall we be better enabled to comprehend the grand design of man's redemption: better prepared to contend with the herd of shallow deists, and atheistical freethinkers: better supplied with every rational argument to combat the insolence of profaneness, and the bigotry of enthusiasm; to admonish with patience, and to rebuke with boldness; to strengthen the weak, and to instruct the doubtful. And thus may we be truly said to make our light shine before men.

Yet let it ever be remembered, that all human erudition should be subservient to the cause of practical Religion; that the most extensive knowledge and the most cultivated understanding, all the learning of rabbies and philosophers, will be of very little import, unless there be also a practice strictly conformable to our holy profession. The life of a Christian is the best comment upon his doctrine; and the only true end of every literary accomplishment is, to amend the manners and improve the heart, to make men good citizens and good Christians. It may not be the lot of every minister of Christ to receive the just reward of his labours upon earth; for we see many Clergymen consigned to oblivion, who have an indisputable claim to public reward: but such may console themselves with the reflexion, that to promote the spiritual good of others will finally exalt the humble minister of Christ to that place, where they that be wise (or, as it might be rendered with more propriety, they that are instructers) shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever*,

* Dan. xii. 3. Thus it is translated in the margin of our Bible; and in Joye's Exposition of Daniel the Prophete, 1545;' Also the teachers shall shyne lyke the brightnes of the fyrmamente: and they, whiche brynge many to the knowledge of the rightwyse making, shal shine perpetually lyke the starres.

AN ADDRESS

DELIVERED

TO THE CLERGY OF THE

DEANERIES OF RICHMOND,

CATTERICK, AND BOROUGHBRIDGE,

Within the Diocese of CHESTER.

At the Visitations held June 9 and June 14, 1792.

(Newcastle upon Tyne, n. d.)

VOL. I.

C