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the badge of party, for it is the badge of slavery, and instead of procuring esteem and confidence, will render him unworthy of both. To be free is to be independent; and if we would continue so, let us consult our own conscience, and act according to its dictates. Let us despise flattery on the one side, let us disdain corruption on the other, and let the venal of all ranks know, that our traffic is not in infamy, nor our gains the wages of corruption.

Our fondness for the things of this life, is, I am fully aware, the epidemic disease of our fallen nature. It is, however, the constant meditation on the word of God, which is so peculiarly the employment of the stewards of the mysteries, that will best enable us, to subdue this hungry desire after the things which appertain unto the flesh : for nothing can be more decidedly hostile to the progress of pure religion in the heart, than the love of money, and an eager thirst of obtaining power; yet so universally prevalent is this pas-, sion, and so deliberately systematized among us, that by the conversation and conduct of every rank of individuals, from the peer to the peasant, it should seem, as if they thought that the whole purpose of their creation, and the very end of their existence, were completely answered in the attaining a comfortable establishment in this world. This spirit, I apprehend, is much on the

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increase, and presents a formidable obstacle to the advancement of piety and religion. "Covetousness (says the apostle) is idolatry. Col. iii. 5; and there is too much reason to conclude from external appearance, that no idol of antiquity ever received more sincere and devout homage, than is now paid to the golden images, before which multitudes of our countrymen bow down and worship.

"Serviet eternum, qui parvo nescitur uti."

But thou, O man of God, flee these things: and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. O keep that which is committed to thy trust; and remember that no man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life : that he may please the captain of his salvation, who hath chosen him to be a soldier; and that though a man strive for the mastery, yet is he not crowned except he strive lawfully.

"Lean not on earth; 'twill pierce thee to the heart;
"A broken reed at best, but oft a spear:

"On its sharp point, peace bleeds, and hope expires."

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Here, I trust, the reader will allow me to say a few words connected with the (y) non residence of our clergy. I would always bear in mind the

(y) Vide, Ezek. xxxiv.

words of St. Paul, "Who art thou that judgest another?" but I fearlessly will assert, that nonresidence, when not accompanied by circumstances of imperious necessity, is wicked and bad. The souls of his parishioners is the charge of the beneficed clergyman; and his office is represented in the holy scriptures, under characters which clearly imply the duty of residence. Why is he called a shepherd ?-because he is to feed the flock of Christ, by enlightening their minds with the knowledge of divine truths, to establish their faith and influence their conduct: because he is to guard his flock against spiritual enemies and dangers, and to keep them from being seduced by cunning men, who lie in wait to deceive. Why is he called a watchman ?-because he is to watch over the faith and morals of those committed to his keeping: he is to warn the wicked from his evil way; "obey them that have the rule over you, for they watch for your souls." Why is he called a steward of the mysteries of God?because he is a dispenser of the means of salvation in the church of Christ. It is his duty to administer spiritual food to the household, of which he is appointed steward, even the sincere milk of the word; that all those over whom he is placed, may grow in grace, and in the knowledge of God their saviour.

Now these metaphors (observed a late pious

arch-bishop) of a shepherd, a watchman, and a steward, express in a very significant and lively manner, the nature of that trust which is committed to every one, who has taken on himself the holy character. Can then, the rambling shepherd, the watchman who leaves his post, the steward who retires from the household, think, himself secure, when called upon for a strict account? Heb. xiii. 17. O happy will that minister be, who, when at the head of his flock,, before the great shepherd, can in his own words say, "those thou gavest me have I kept, and none of them have I lost." Therefore, be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds, for riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation? Prov. xxvii. 23, 24. And feed the flock of God: 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. 1 Pet. v. 2.

It has fallen to my lot to witness many a triffing excuse, reason, and apology, which have been made, for this daring impropriety; and which have been admitted by the bishop, as a justification of a line of conduct, not to be justified. It is from this, has arisen the loss of influence, which

our clergy have sustained. It is this, and the too great fondness, which some of those who ought to devote their lives to the services of religion, have displayed for political and secular pursuits, which have raised such an host of adversaries against our pure and reformed church. It is this, and the shameful evasions practised in the remuneration of the curate, who has frequently to encounter the vicissitudes of weather, perhaps through a long journey, (the parsonage (2) too often being let, and disposed of, for the advantage of a non-resident rector, or vicar, nay, even of the patron himself,) in order to serve the church on a sabbath day, that have induced some good christians to fear, that with too many of our clergy, their kingdom is of this world, and that their views towards the heavenly Jerusalem are most short-sighted and imperfect.

Among the many injuries which the cause of religion has suffered, by the frequency of nonresidence, is this; that the people have been led to believe, the office of a clergyman is confined to his church duties, and the management of his

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(*) Where the rector, or vicar, does not reside four, months in the year at least, the bishop, or ordinary, may. grant the use of the rectory or vicarage house, with the garden and stable, for one year, to the curate, for his actual residence in it. Or he may grant him £15 a year, in lieu of the rectory or vicarage house. Vide, 57 Geo. iii.

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