66 "of good Works," Titus ii. 7. and “pre"fent in your Life (as Archbishop HORT "advises) a fair Copy of thofe Graces and "Virtues which you recommend from the "Pulpit: The People will then believe you to be in good Earneft, and that "your fincere Aim is to fave their Souls, as well as your own. This will have a greater Effect, than a thousand Difcourfes from the Pulpit, be they ever fo ex"cellent; for the Bulk of Mankind are "much easier led by the Eye, than by the "Ear. This will procure Reverence and "Authority to your Perfon, Affection to your Preaching, and a Zeal to imitate &6 your good Example." See Abp. HORT'S Inftructions to the Clergy of the Diocese of Tuam. 2. Confider well, as your Model and Sup port, the ten first Verses of the fixth Chapter of St Paul's fecond Epiftle to the Corinthians; which fhew his Faithfulness in the Ministry. 3. I have no fear of your being or doing any Thing, which will be remarkably inconfiftent with your clerical Function, or reproachful to it: But allow me to fay, that you should endeavour to be an Example of Prudence and Difcretion. Let not your Good be evil fpoken of. Guard against thofe Inftances of Abfence, Forgetfulness, and Neglect, with which too many wife and pious Clergymen are often chargeable; and and which greatly leffen their Reputation and Ufefulness. PUNCTUALITY, as to Time and Season, and the Dispatch of Business, is of great Importance, both to your own Eafe and Comfort, and to your Efteem and Acceptance in the Parifh. HINTS on visiting the Parithioners in general. 1. T will be very neceffary to get a Lift IT of the Parishioners, as the Houses ftand. Go round the whole Parish, regularly in a certain Space of Time-fuppofe once a Quarter, or as you find it neceffary. 2. Your Stay at each Vifit will of Courfe be, as Circumstances may require and admit, dropping fomething which may be ufeful, adapting your Difcourfe to the particular Situation of thofe, with whom you converfe; and that what you say may ap pear natural, and be more easily received, remembered, and improved, graft religi ous Inftructions on fome general Circumftance, as their Station, Bufinefs, the Seafon of the Year, the Weather, or any Events and Occurrences, which have lately happened, and engage every one's Attention. Their particular Occupation, Trade, or the State of their Family, will alfo furnish out out fome fuitable Hints of Inftruction to them; particularly the Sickness or Death of any of their Relations, Neighbours, and Acquaintance. Excite and defire Parents, Mafters and Miftreffes, to remind their Children and Servants of fome Texts of Scripture, which may be particularly applicable to them, and urge them to remember and confider fuch Texts. Inquire whether there are any who cannot read? And if there are, whether they are defirous of learning, that, if capable of it, they may be taught.Afk thofe, who can repeat the Catechifm fome Questions in Relation to it: Explain thefe, and urge on them the Duties therein fuggefted. This will be ufeful not only to the Children, but to the Parents, as it will be a Hint to them how they are to inftruct their Children, and will be likely to fecure you the Efteem and Affection of both. 3. You would do well to take Notice of young Perfons and Servants, if prefent; and if abfent, to make fome Inquiries after them, and fay fomething which may be told them in Relation to their religious Concerns. 4. It may require fome Difcretion to introduce the following Questions with Propriety to principal Families; but to those in an inferior Station these may be asked, after the customary Civilities, without any farther Ceremony. What Books have you? you you ?-Do you read fome Part of the Scrip- 上 When you meet any of the Parish in your Walks, or pass by them when at their Work in the Field, after a civil, easy Salutation, you would do well to drop fome Hint of good Advice, grounded, if poffible, on the Work in which they are then employed. This will lead them to be free and open with you. It is in this View very BURKITT on the New Teftament is perhaps as cheap, and useful, as any you can recommend to fuch of the common People, as can afford to buy it. very defirable to gain fuch a general Knowledge of their refpective Employments, that you may talk to them in their own Way, and fo gradually introduce fome useful Topic. This will engage their Attention and Refpect, especially if you can attain a Habit of talking to them in a plain familiar Manner, which, by Care and a little Use, you may easily do, and without demeaning, your Character, or in the leaft leffening yourself in their Efteem. On the contrary, they will pay a greater Attention to what you fay in the Pulpit, when you have talked familiarly to them in private. 5. I muft defire you to give away fome of the religious Books I left at the Parfonage Houfe for that Purpose, and lend others for a certain Time, keeping a List of what you lend. You will pleafe to direct how they may be used to the best Advantage, and inquire afterwards whether they have been read, and what Improvement has been. made of them: And you may fometimes afk to fee the Books you have given, and obferve what Care has been taken of them. 6. There are Multitudes who regularly keep up the external Forms of Religion, C whofe Dr HILDROP's Hufbandman's Spiritual Companion, Price I s. and FLAVEL'S Spiritual Hufbandry, Price 2s. are two useful Books, to furnish you with fome natural and striking Materials for Converfation with the Country People. As is likewise The Husbandman's Manual, Price 3d. |