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continual use of them; such as are from God's general providence extended even to lilies; from his particular, to his church; from his promises, from the examples of all saints that ever were; from Christ himself, perfecting our redemption no other way, than by sorrow; from the benefit of affliction, which softens and works the stubborn heart of man; from the certainty both of deliverance and reward, if we faint not; from the miserable comparison of the moment of griefs here, with the weight of joys hereafter." Besides this, in his visiting the sick, or otherwise “afflicted, he followeth the church's counsel, namely, in persuading them to particular confession, labouring to "make them understand the great good use of this an"cient and pious ordinance, and how necessary it is in some cases he also urgeth them to do some pious cha“ritable works, as a necessary evidence and fruit of their “faith; at that time especially, to the participation of the "holy sacrament, shewing them how comfortable and sovereign a medicine it is to all sin-sick souls; what strength, "and joy, and peace it administers against all temptations, " even in death itself. He plainly and generally intimateth "all this to the disaffected, or sick person, that so the hunger and thirst after it may come rather from them"selves, than from his persuasion."

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CHAP. XVI.

The parson a father.

THE country parson is not only a father to his flock, but also professeth himself throughly of the opinion, carrying it about with him as fully, as if he had begot his whole parish. And of this he makes great use. For by this means, when any sins, he hateth him not as an officer, but pities him as a father: and even in those wrongs which, either in tithing or otherwise, are done to his own person, he considers the offender as a child, and forgives, so he may have any sign of amendment; so also, when, after many admonitions, any continues to be refractory, yet he gives him not over, but is long before he proceed to disinheriting, or perhaps never goes so far; knowing, that some are called at the eleventh hour, and therefore he still expects and waits, lest he should determine God's hour of coming; which as he cannot touching the last day, so neither touching the intermediate days of conversion.

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CHAP. XVII.

The parson in journey.

THE country parson, when a just occasion calleth him out of his parish, (which he diligently and strictly weigheth, his parish being all his joy and thought,) leaveth not his ministry behind him; but is himself wherever he is. Therefore those he meets on the way he blesseth audibly, and with those he overtakes, or that overtake him, he begins good discourses, such as may edify, interposing sometimes some short and honest refreshments, which may make his other discourses more welcome, and less tedious. And when he comes to his inn, he refuseth not to join, that he may enlarge the glory of God to the company he is in, by a due blessing of God for their safe arrival, and saying grace at meat, and at going to bed by giving the host notice, that he will have prayers in the hall, wishing him to inform his guests thereof, that if any be willing to partake, they may resort thither. The like he doth in the morning, using pleasantly the outlandish proverb, that prayers and provender never hinder journey." When he comes to any other house, where his kindred or other relations give him any authority over the family, if he be to stay for a time, he considers diligently the state thereof to God-ward, and that in two points: first, what disorders there are either in apparel, or diet, or too open a buttery, or reading vain books, or swearing, or breeding up children to no calling, but in idleness, or the like. Secondly, what means of piety, whether daily prayers be used, grace, reading of scriptures and other good books, how Sundays, holydays, and fasting days are kept. And accordingly, as he finds any defect in these, he first considers with himself, what kind of remedy fits the temper of the house best, and then he faithfully and boldly applieth it; yet seasonably and discreetly, by taking aside the lord or lady, or master and mistress of the house, and shewing them clearly that they respect them most who wish them best, and that not a desire to meddle with others' affairs, but the earnestness to do all the good he can, moves him to say

thus and thus.

CHAP. XVIII.

The parson in sentinel.

THE country parson, wherever he is, keeps God's watch; that is, there is nothing spoken or done in the company where he is, but comes under his test and censure; if it be well spoken or done, he takes occasion to commend and enlarge it; if ill, he presently lays hold of it, lest the poison steal into some young and unwary spirits, and possess them even before they themselves heed it. But this he doth discreetly, with mollifying and suppling words; This was not so well said, as it might have been forborne; We cannot allow this; or else, if the thing will admit interpretation; Your meaning is not thus, but thus; or, So far indeed what you say is true, and well said; but this will not stand. This is called keeping God's watch, when the baits which the enemy lays in company are discovered and avoided; this is to be on God's side, and be true to his party. Besides, if he perceive in company any discourse tending to ill, either by the wickedness or quarrelsomeness thereof, he either prevents it judiciously, or breaks it off seasonably by some diversion. Wherein a pleasantness of disposition is of great use, men being willing to sell the interest and engagement of their discourses for no price, sooner than that of mirth; whither the nature of man, loving refreshment, gladly betakes itself, even to the loss of honour.

CHAP. XIX.

The parson in reference.

THE country parson is sincere aud upright in all his relations. And first, he is just to his country; as when he is set at an armour, or horse, he borrows them not to serve the turn, nor provides slight and unuseful, but such as are every way fitting to do his country true and laudable service, when occasion requires. To do otherwise is deceit; and therefore not for him who is hearty and true in all his ways, as being the servant of him in whom there was no guile. Likewise in any other country-duty, he considers what is the end of any command, and then

he suits things faithfully according to that end. Secondly, he carries himself very respectively, as to all the fathers of the church, so especially to his diocesan, honouring him both in word and behaviour, and resorting unto him in any difficulty, either in his studies or in his parish. He observes visitations, and, being there, makes due use of them, as of clergy councils, for the benefit of the diocese. And therefore before he comes, having observed some defects in the ministry, he then either in sermon, if he preach, or at some other time of the day, propounds among his brethren what were fitting to be done. Thirdly, he keeps good correspondence with all the neighbouring pastors round about him, performing for them any ministerial office, which is not to the prejudice of his own parish. Likewise he welcomes to his house any minister, how poor or mean soever, with as joyful a countenance, as if he were to entertain some great lord. Fourthly, he fulfils the duty and debt of neighbourhood to all the parishes which are near him. For the apostle's rule, Philipp. iv. being admirable and large, that we should do whatsoever things are honest, or just, or pure, or lovely, or of good report, if there be any virtue or any praise; and neighbourhood being ever reputed, even among the heathen, as an obligation to do good, rather than to those that are further, where things are otherwise equal, therefore he satisfies this duty also. Especially, if God have sent any calamity either by fire or famine to any neighbouring parish, then he expects no brief; but taking his parish together the next Sunday, or holyday, and exposing to them the uncertainty of human affairs, none knowing whose turn may be next, and then when he hath affrighted them with this, exposing the obligation of charity and neighbourhood, he first gives liberally himself, and then incites them to give; making together a sum either to be sent, or, which were more comfortable, all together choosing some fit day to carry themselves, and cheer the afflicted. So, if any neighbouring village be overburdened with poor, and his own less charged, he finds some way of relieving it, and reducing the manna and bread of charity to some equality, representing to his people, that the blessing of God to them ought to make them the more charitable, and not the less, lest he cast their neighbour's poverty on them also.

it

CHAP. XX.

The parson in God's stead.

THE country parson is in God's stead to his parish, and dischargeth God what he can of his promises. Wherefore there is nothing done either well or ill, whereof he is not the rewarder or punisher. If he chance to find any reading in another's Bible, he provides him one of his own. If he finds another giving a poor man a penny, he gives him a tester for it, if the giver be fit to receive it; or if he be of a condition above such gifts, he sends him a good book, or easeth him in his tithes, telling him when he hath forgotten it, This I do, because at such and such a time you were charitable. This is in some sort a discharging of God; as concerning this life, who hath promised, that godliness shall be gainful: but in the other God is his own immediate paymaster, rewarding all good deeds to their full proportion. "The parson's punishing "of sin and vice is rather by withdrawing his bounty and courtesy from the parties offending, or by private or pub"lic reproof, as the case requires, than by causing them "to be presented, or otherwise complained of. And yet

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as the malice of the person, or heinousness of the crime, "may be, he is careful to see condign punishment inflicted, "and with truly godly zeal, without hatred to the person, hungereth and thirsteth after righteous punishment of "unrighteousness. Thus both in rewarding virtue, and in punishing vice, the parson endeavoureth to be in God's "stead, knowing that country people are drawn or led by "sense, more than by faith, by present rewards or punishments, more than by future."

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CHAP. XXI.

The parson catechising.

THE country parson values catechising highly: for there being three points of his duty; the one, to infuse a competent knowledge of salvation into every one of his flock; the other, to multiply and build up this knowledge to a spiritual temple; the third, to inflame this knowledge, to press and drive it to practice, turning it to reformation

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