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refolved to give the best Proof of it by their regular Conformity to the Laws of that Society whereof they are Members, endeavoured to give fome Short Account of each Festival and Faft, and have offered fuch Heads of Meditation, as may, if thoroughly digefted, contribute to their Improvement in most of the Virtues of a Chriftian Life..

They that are acquainted with Ecclefiaftical Hiftory, know what imperfect Sketches we have of many of the bleffed Apoftles, and that we are left to guess at their indefatigable Labours by the happy Effects of them: Chriftianity having by their Means been diffufed, in the Space of about thirty Years after our Saviour's Death, not only through the greatest Part of the Roman Empire, but having extended itself as far as Parthia and India. All the Sacred Remains of that kind are collected with fo much Learning and Judgment by my worthy Friend, the Reverend Dr. Cave, that whatever I have advanced upon their Festivals, without Quotations, may be found in his Lives of the Apoftles; from whence I have taken the Liberty to borrow what I thought might contribute towards the perfecting my

Defign

Defign; the Criticisms of their History, which are omitted, are more proper to entertain the Curiofity of the Learned, than the Devotion of well-difpofed Minds.

And indeed, what Arguments can prevail upon Men, to engage them to keep a Confcience void of Offence, that may not be deduced from the frequent Meditation of the Mysteries of our Redemption? What Means fo proper to perfect our Naturės, as to fet before ourselves the Examples of the Primitive Saints, who excelled in the trueft Wildom? It is the unhappy Method of the World to form Chriftian Heroes upon Pagan Models, which should make it no Wonder that fo few Chriftian Princes diftinguish themfelves, by what is properly their Glory; but if we design to attain that Happiness the bleed Saints now enjoy, we must tread in their Steps; and to acquire true Firmness and Refolution of Mind, we must propound for our Imitation the Examples and Patterns of thofe holy Men gone before us, who in their respective Ages have given remarkable Teftimonies of their Faith in God, and conftant Adherence to his Truth.

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Among thofe crying Abominations, which like a Torrent have cverfpread the Nation, this Age feems to distinguish itself by a great Contempt of the Clergy, than which I think nothing can be a greater Evidence of the decayed State of Religion among us. This barbarous and unchriftian Practice, Setting all particular Reafons afide, can be refolved into nothing fo furely, as into that great Loofenefs of Principles, and Corruption of Morals, which have too much infected all Ranks and Orders of Men; for though it may pass for a current Maxim among fome, that Priests of all Religions are the fame; yet I am of the Opinion, it will appear a much truer Obfervation by Experience, That they of all Religions that contemn the Priesthood, will be found the fame, both as to their Principles and Practice; fceptical in the one, and diffolute in the other. To remedy, if possible, this great Evil, I have endeavoured upon the Ember Fafts to explain the Nature of the several Offices in the facred Function, to fhew the Authority of their Commiffion, the Dignity of the Priesthood, and thofe Duties the Laity owe to their fpiritual Superiors. If

these

thefe Subjects make any Impreffion upon Mens Minds, as they will most certainly if calmly and seriously confidered, it will Startle the boldeft Sinner to find that in contemning this Order of Men he affronts his Maker; and in defpifing the Minifters of the Gospel, he defpifeth him that fent Luke 10.

them.

If ever à Convocation should think fit to revife the Catechifm of the Church, to whofe Authority and Judgment an Affair of that Nature ought to be entirely submit

Be

ted;
it is poffible they may find it necessary
to add fome Questions concerning those who
have the Power of adminiftring Sacra-
ments, and how they receive fuch an Au-
thority, and what Duties are owing by
God's Word to our fpiritual Guides.
caufe fuch fort of Inftructions early inftilled
into tender Minds, might in the next Gene-
ration retrieve that Refpect to the facred
Order which we fo fcandaloufly want in
this, and they would have this farther Ad-
vantage, that they would be a Means of
keeping Men fedfaft to the Communion
of the Church, and of preferving them
from falling into Schifms, even in a State

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16.

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Eph. 4.

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of Perfecution from the Poffibility of which no buman Establishment can fecure the Church of God, while fhe is Militant bere upon Earth. And till this can be effected, it is to be wished the Reverend Clergy would more frequently inftruct the People in fuch Duties; the want of which necessary Knowledge makes the Principles of ChurchCommunion fo little understood, that Men are toffed to and fro, and carried about with every Wind of Doctrine, by the Slight of Men, and cunning Craftiness whereby they lay in wait to deceive. I am very fenfible great Modesty bath prevailed upon them to divert their Thoughts from this Subject, left it should be interpreted a preaching up themfelves; but the fame Fears may as well prevent Parents from inftrudling their Children, and Mafters their Servants, in thofe Duties that relate to themselves; and fince the Reafon does not hold good in the one Cafe, it cannot be thought conclufive in the other. And if, after all, People will mifinterpret the Discharge of their Duty, though never fo neceffary, I hope they will think fit with St. Paul to approve them

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