perfection. Or, in the words of St. Paul, to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. But I need not be more explicit here, as my sermon preached before the convention of the church, in the year 1792, holds forth my plan, pretty fully-and to this I refer you, for more particular information on this head. That sermon stands foremost in the first volume of my printed discourses. And in the sermons, as they follow one after another, in that volume, you have an exemplification of the plan. laid down, in the first. I pass on,

Secondly, To speak of the extent, frequency and effects of my preaching and la- :

bors.

The genuine doctrines of the gospel, when preached in due order, and inculcated with any just degree of animation and pathos, seldom fail in producing good ef fects, more or less. I had the exquisite pleasure of seeing this realized, among the people of my charge, before I had labored very long. A religious concern took place, and that important question, what shall I do to be saved?

was more and more

common. This anxiety was first manifested, not among the lowest, but rather the middle ranks of the people. Not that I

suppose none of the poorer sort were convinced of sin, and truly concerned for their souls, but they did not make me acquainted with it, because, at that time, people, in the lower walks of life, had not been accustomed to converse with clergymen, whom they supposed to stand in the rank of gentlemen, and above the company and conversation of plebeians. This I know had been my case formerly, and prcbably was the case of the poorer sort, in Bath, at that day, and might prevent them from speaking to me, while others were more forward to open their minds.

As soon as I discovered a religious concern in the parish, I no longer confined my labors to the churches and pulpits, on Sundays, but went out by night and by day, at any time in the week, to private houses, and convened as many as I could, for the purpose of prayer, singing, preaching and conversation. This was a great novelty in a minister of the church; but it was beneficial in its consequences. I think more solid and lasting good was done by those means, than at the churches. For though the first solemn impressions and heartfelt convictions were generally made by the sermons preached at the churches-yet, in the more private meetings, those impressions

were deepened, and more durably fixed. At the same time, the people had an opportunity of having their judgments more informed, than by hearing a public sermon, as every one was at liberty to ask any religious question, and propose any doubts, they chose. The poorer sort, who at first might be shy in speaking, soon wore off their shyness, and spoke as freely as others. On those occasions, I used to put questions also to the people, in order to fix their attention to any subject of importance, and, at the same time, to make them the more sensible of their need of instruction.These ends were in a good measure answered by the means. I found every class, as might be expected, extremely ignorant of divine things, and especially of the nature, design and terms of the gospel. The purport of some of the questions, I was wont to ask, and the substance of the answers made, I shall here write down, which may serve as a specimen of the little knowledge mankind have of religious matters, or are like to have, where nothing but morality is preached-or where no proper means are used to bring them to the knowledge of themselves and evangelical truths. The questions were such as follow:

Question. What is the difference between the law and gospel?

Answer. I know not of any difference -or, I know not one from the other.

Question. What is the covenant of grace, and what are the terms of it?

Answer. I know not-I never heard of a covenant of grace, or of any other covenant whatever.

Question. What is conversion?

Answer. I know not-I never heard such a word in all my life, till I heard it from you.

Question. What is regeneration-or the new-birth?

Answer. I never heard of either-the words are new to me..

Question. Is a man to be justified by his own works?

Answer. To be sure-or I know not what is to justify him.

A number of other questions respecting repentance, faith, sanctification, &c. &c. were occasionally asked-but the answers were generally as lame and unsatisfactory. But I shall not enlarge..

This method, as it tended to convince the people of their want of religious instruction, pointed out to me, at the same

time, their necessities, and enabled me the better to judge, in what manner I ought to address them, from the pulpit, so as to suit their capacities, circumstances, wants, &c. Ministers, who are not accustomed to converse frequently and familiarly with their flocks, can have but little conception of the small degree of christian knowledge, which is to be found among them-or how little they know of themselves-of God-of Christ, and the way of salvation through him-or, indeed, of any thing they ought to know.

The religious concern, among the people of Bath, soon enlarged the bounds of my labors. Such a work could not be confined to a corner. The sound of it quickly reached to the neighboring parishes, and from thence to counties and parishes at a greater distance. This moved many scores, from other parishes, to come and see and hear for themselves. My churches were now crowded, from time to time, with a concourse of strangers, both far and near. Several of these also felt the power of divine truth-were convicted of their guilt and danger-and, in a while, profest to be happy in God. By these things, more and more were excited to attend the churches, and convictions and