8. felves the Minifters of God, by evil Re- 2 Cor. 6. port, as well as good Report, as Deceivers and yet true, rather than neglect what may have fo great an Influence upon the Welfare' of thofe Souls committed to their Charge.' And I dare undertake for those whofe Modefty, as before obferved, too often with-holds them from magnifying their Office as they juftly might; that they would not only be content, but very much rejoice to affift in all fpiritual Affairs, fuch as shall make Application to them on thofe Accounts; and take it for a great Comfort and Encouragement to their Labours if they could find their Parishioners ready upon all Occafions to confult them in the Concerns of their Souls, either for the Inftruction of their Ignorance, for the Refolution of their Doubts, for Direction in order to the avoiding or withstanding Temptations, for their Confolation under Trials and Afflictions, or for the beft Method of obtaining Pardon of their Sins, and quieting their Confciences. I have long thought a Defign of this Nature might be ferviceable to the Interest of Religion, and might contribute fomething towards reviving the Piety and Devotion of the Primitive Times; to which I wish we were as conformable in our Practices, as I am well fatisfied we are in our DoЄtrines. It is for this Reafon I have ventured to make this Effay, not knowing how better to employ that Leifure and Command of Time which the good Providence of God has entrusted me with, than by confecrating it to this Service; depending upon the fame good Providence that fuggefted the Thought, to enable and fupport me in the Execution of it. And I hope a Layman may be allowed at least to express his Defire to fee Religion flourish, when fo many in the fame Rank make bold Attempts, in those vile and wicked Pamphlets that daily abound among us, to undermine the Chriftian Priesthood, and to ridicule the Mysteries of our Redemption: The mischievous Confequences whereof the State as well as the Church may feel, if not timely prevented. I am not much concerned for those just Cenfures the World may fix upon the Meannefs of this Performance; the Design of it will, with good People, atone for many Imperfections: Befides, a Man of moderate Attainments may be ferviceable to thofe that that bave leffer Degrees of Knowledge, as alfo to fuch who, though they may have Capacity, yet have not Leifure nicely to enquire into thefe Matters. And provided I can but in the leaft manner promote a Senfe of Religion among those that want it, or contribute to the Increase of it where it is already entertained, I shall be much better pleafed than to deferve the Praises of the most accomplished Critick. Upon this Account I have chofe to throw the whole Subject of thefe Papers into a catechetical Form; hoping thereby they may become more univerfally inftructive; for many can judge of the Force of an Answer who are very much puzzled to follow Reason through a Chain of Confequences. And if there be any fuch Readers as shall be prevailed upon by my weak Endeavours to become more careful and follicitous about the one thing neceffary; and fhall be perfuaded or enabled to improve the Holy Seafons of the Church, to the Advantage of their Souls; let God's holy Name have the Glory, who was pleafed to bless the meanest Inftrument in fo great a Work. Let me only beg the Favour of their Prayers, that when upon fuch fuch Occafions they proftrate themselves at the Throne of Grace, and approach the holy Altars of God, they would in the Fervour of their Devotions offer up a Petition for the unworthy Author; that among all the Changes and Chances of this mortal Life, his Heart may furely there be fixed where true Joys are to be found; and that while he is follicitous about the Salvation of others, he may not fall fhort in fecuring his own. All-Saints, 1703. ROB. NELSON. Rules Feafts and Holy-Days begin. After-Day, on which the reft depend, is always the first Sunday after the first Full Moon, which happens next after the One and Twentieth Day of March. And if the Full Moon happens upon a Sunday, Eafter-Day is the Sunday after. Advent-Sunday is always the nearest Sunday to the Feast of St. Andrew, whether before or |