ters, and called them into the Church, where she exhorted them to pray fervently, and sing a Requiem for the Soul of their Mother. Cassalion also upon this Place of Bede, says, That* the same Custom is still observed in England, that as soon as any hath departed this Life, the Bell belonging to the Parish he liv'd in, was immediately tolled, and for some Time.-And though (says he) the English now deny, that Prayers are of any Service to the Dead; yet I could meet with no other Account of this Ceremony, than that it was a Custom of the old Church of England.

And for this Reason it is, that this Custom was first observed, and should be still retained among us, viz. That the Prayers of the Faithful may be assisting to the Soul; and certainly it might be more profitably retained, were it so ordered, that the Bell should be tolled before the Person's Departure, as was undoubtedly designed when this Ceremony was con

* Et talis ritus etiam de præsenti servatur in Anglia, ut cum quis decessit, statim campana propriæ illius Parochiæ speciali quodam modo sonat per aliquod temporis spatium.—Quamvis Angli negent modo orationes & suffragia defunctis proficua; non aliam tamen in hoc ab illis rationem potui percipere, quam quod talis sonus sit ritus antiquæ ecclesiæ Anglicana, Cassali de vet. Sac. Christ. Rit. P. 241.

made

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of Darkness;

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Person be such, as that the Fathal will not be sufficient cd Punishment of a justly So, yet as this can be only known ...et discharge Men from recom..to the Divine Mercy, in the sace and affectionate Manner. They press the most laudable Zeal, the Sted Charity; and whilst they cites for the Happiness and WelMen's Souls, they cannot but be ered to have the greatest Con

iece rowy, and be both encouraged and to proceed with an holy Emulation

from

from Strength to Strength, and endeavour as the Apostle advises, to go on to Perfection.

But, alas! we are fallen into Times of such Irreligion and Prejudice, such Contempt of Antiquity, and such too great Reformation, that what with Indolence on one Hand, and Ignorance on the other; what with no Zeal on this Side, and too + false à one on that; we either neglect the most decent Ceremonies of Religion, or we think it is Religion to have no Ceremonies at all. No Wonder then, that, in the Midst of such a crooked and perverse Generation, when the most of Men are negligent of themselves, they are also negligent of others: No Wonder, that when there is such a general Contempt of Religion, and Men are careless of their own Souls, they are not careful for the Souls of their Friends.

But it is called Popish and Superstitious;

*Heb. vi. 1.

for

Among the many Objections of the Brownists, it is laid to the Charge of the Church of England, that though we deny the Doctrine of Purgatory, and teach the contrary, yet how well our Practice suits with it, may be considered in our ringing of hallowed Bells for the Soul. Bish. Hall. cont. Brown.

In a Vestry Book belonging to the Chapel of All-Saints, in Newcastle upon Tyne, it is observable, That the Tolling of the Bell is not mentioned in the Parish Accounts, from the Year 1643,

for what true Reason, I know not. Did we indeed imagine with the Papists, that there is any* Virtue or extraordinary Power in a Bell, that it is hallowed by Baptism, and drives away the Spirits of Darkness, then it might justly be called Superstition, and therefore justly abolished. But when we retain the Custom, only to procure the Prayers of the Faithful for a departing Soul, it would surely

till 1655, when we find it ordered to be tolled again. At a Vestry holden January 21st, 1655. Whereas for some Years past, the collecting of the Duty for Bell and Tolling, hath been forborn and laid aside, which hath much lessened the Revenue of the Church, by which, and such-like Means, it is brought into Dilapidations; and having now taken the same into serious Consideration, and fully debated the Objections made by some against the same, and having had the Judgment of our Ministers concerning any Superstition that might be in it; which being made clear, it is this Day ordered, That from henceforth, the Church Officer appointed thereunto, do collect the same, and bring the Money unto the Church-Wardens, and that those who desire to have the Use of the Bells, may freely have them as formerly, paying the accustomed Fees. It is certain they laid it aside, because they thought it superstitious, and it is probable, if they had not wanted Money, they had not seen the contrary.

*We call them Soul-Bells, for that they signifie the Departure of the Soul, not for that they help the Passage of the Soul. Bish. Hall cont. Brown, P. 568.

+ Item ut Dæmones tinnitu preces concitantium, terreantur. benedicendi campanas antiqua est.

campanarum, Christianos ad Formula vero baptizandi seu Durant. Lib. C. 22. S. 6.

be

be of Advantage to observe it, if the Prayers of a righteous Man avail any Thing at all; which, if we may believe an inspired Apostle, are of very great Efficacy and Validity.

Art thou then attending a Friend in his last Moments? Art thou careful for his Soul, and solicitous for his Salvation? Dost thou wish him safe through the Valley of Death to the everlasting Hills? Wouldst thou have the good Angels protect him, and be his Shield against the Powers of Darkness? In short, wouldst thou have him crown'd with the Joys of Paradise? Be assured then, that the Prayers of good men will very much contribute to the gaining of these Things. But how shall they then pray. for him, if they know not of his Departure? And how can they know that, without the tolling of the Bell? Do thou therefore put in Practice this decent and profitable Custom, not as our Age generally does, after the Death of thy Friend, but before it; before he leave the World, when the Prayers of good Men can assist him, and facilitate his Journey into the other Life.

Or, art thou working in the Field, or grinding at the Mill? Remember then, when thou hearest the Sound of the Bell for one depart