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send for his minister, the minister (having other notice of his sickness) ought to go to him without being sent for.

How to perform this duty towards sick men aright, our church fully directs him, in her excellent Office of the Visitation of the Sick, which is so full and perfect, that there needs nothing to be added to it.

But observe further, that it is the pastor's duty to visit his parishioners, not only when they are sick, but also when they are well and in good health; not only with common neighbourly visits, but visiting them to the purposes of salvation. He should sometimes go home to their houses, and minister to their souls in private, mildly reproving them for what faults he observes in them, admonishing them of such duties as he knows them to be ignorant of; as not coming constantly to church, not frequenting the communion, and the like. He is there seriously to call upon them, to mind them of the great concern of their immortal souls, in time to prepare for sickness and death, and the tremendous judgment that follows. Such particular private applications of the minister to his parishioners are highly useful, and will render the public ordinances more beneficial to them.

To you, my brethren of the clergy, I shall conclude all I have to say, in a short, but serious and affectionate exhortation.

1. In the first place, and above all things, follow after holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. Holiness is a qualification, indispensably required in every Christian, and that sub periculo anima, as he hopes to be saved, and to see the face of God in heaven. And can it be imagined, that a minister of God should be saved without it? Nay, he is obliged to holiness in a double capacity, both as a Christian and as a minister. As a minister, his calling obliges him to be almost perpetually conversant about holy things; which he profanes if he be not himself a holy perHe profanes God's holy worship, his holy word, and his holy sacraments; and God will most certainly and severely punish such profaners of his sacred things.

son.

Nay, a minister of God is obliged to an exemplary holiness. Epiphanius tells us, that the duty of the laity is rò σύμμετρον καὶ τὸ συγγνωστόν, a more moderate measure of piety, suited to their capacity, and tempered with a greater indulgence and mercy. But from the clergy is expected περὶ πάντων ἀκριβολογία, a more exact and accurate course of life in all things. And St. Paul speaks to the same purpose, when he charges Titus to shew himself in all things

an example or pattern of good works. For every pattern must be excellent and extraordinary, and such as is worthy. of imitation. This the people will expect from us, us, that we should go before them, and lead them on to virtue and piety by our example. And however they fail in other civilities, they will be sure generally to observe this piece of good manners, they will readily give us the precedence in the way to heaven, and be content to follow us at a very humble distance. So that our conversation must be somewhat extraordinary, if we expect by our example to bring them up to the ordinary and necessary measures of piety; and we shall hardly be able to do well, unless we ourselves do somewhat excellently.

2. Be diligent, very diligent in the business of your calling; for it is a laborious calling, that will not admit of ease and idleness. I speak especially to the younger clergy; ply your studies, give yourselves to reading, chiefly the holy scriptures, and the writings of learned men that have explained them to you.

The exhortations of St. Paul to Timothy are full to this purpose; Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine, meditate upon these things, give thyself wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear unto alld. Consider, I beseech you, what kind of person he was, whom St. Paul thus exhorts: he was one, who from a child knew the holy scriptures; one that had the gift of prophecy, and was endued with extraordinary and even miraculous gifts. This man St. Paul earnestly calls. upon to be diligent in reading and study; what need then have we, even the best of us, of this diligence, who are so very far short of his accomplishments! In a word, an idle person in any calling whatsoever is very contemptible; but an idle and lazy parochial priest is of all mortals the most contemptible and inexcusable. What! so much business, and that of so great importance as the salvation of men's souls, and yet idle? For the Lord's sake shake off sloth, rouse up and bestir yourselves in the business of your calling, remembering that the souls of your people and your own souls are at stake.

3. And lastly, be much and often in prayer to God, especially in private prayer. Content not yourselves with reading prayers at church, but take care also, that there be daily prayers in your families, at least morning and evening; and some time every day retire to your studies,

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and there, upon your bended knees, earnestly beseech Almighty God to have mercy on you, to direct and assist you in your studies, and to give you good success in your labours. Pray for the souls of the people committed to your charge; pray for your own souls, that while you preach to others, you yourselves may not be castaways.

If you do these things; if you adorn your holy profession with a holy conversation; if you be diligent in the business of your calling; if you pray daily to God for his help and assistance; he will not fail to be with you, and to carry you through all difficulties with honour and success; and in the end your reward will be great and glorious, and an abundant compensation of all your labours. So St. Peter tells you in that excellent text, with which I shall conclude; Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

el Peter v. 2, 3, 4.

1

DIRECTIONS

GIVEN TO

THE CLERGY

OF

THE DIOCESE OF LONDON,

IN THE YEAR MDCCXXIV.

BY THE RIGHT REVEREND FATHER IN GOD

EDMUND (iscit

LORD BISHOP OF LONDON.

To which is added,

His CHARGE to the Clergy, in his last Visitation, begun in the Year 1741, and finished in the Year 1742.

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