makes it probable, that he was more impartial, than a native englishman would be likely to be. He is in high reputation

VOL. I.

who, tho' they do not meet with deserved preferment, because they will not defecrate themselves to feek it in the ufual way, will make a glorious figure in the church triumphant. Among this number, I reckon Dr. STONHOUSE, and therefore esteem and honour him, however others neglect him. I know not, whether I fhould wish you a parish in B. for what good can you hope to do among fuch a people? I wish you were somewhere, where your labours would be more valued and more fuccessful."

"The world is full of ill nature; and I have daily experienced fo much of it, that I could almoft fall out with mankind; if it were not for a few excellent friends, of which Mr. H. is one of the deareft. We must expect our share in the troubles of life: but let us take care to live upon good terms with God, and our own confciences, and we need not be deeply concerned about the malice of our open enemies, or the more dangerous treachery of our profeffed friends." Mr. DODDRIDGE to Mr. HUGHES, April 15, 1722. MS.

reputation as an hiftorian as far as the revolution, where his hiftory ends. TINDAL'S Continuation is worth reading; but it is a tedious heavy work, and fpun out merely to get money. The fubfcribers, of which I was one, thought themselves ill ufed and imposed upon by him. However, if it fhould come in your way, you may receive information from it. But for a fhort view of english hiftory, of that period which is most important to us, I think none is equal to Bishop BURNET's Hiftory of his own Time; and, for a short abstract, WELWOOD's Memoirs.

I thank God, I am as comfortable, as to my health, as I can expect to be. Here is my state from an old writer: "Multâ cautelâ cuftoditur falus corporis; cuftodita, cito amittitur; amissa, cum gravi labore reparatur; et tamen reparata femper in dubio eft." I feel the meaning of this description. May

my

my spirit feel the good effect it should have upon me! I heartily wish you increasing comfort and fuccefs in your great work. Now is the time, when you have little parochial duty, to apply closely to study, and increase your stock of critical, fcriptural, and practical knowledge, that if Providence fhould call you out to a larger and more public ftation, and a greater fphere of usefulness,* you may be qualified for it, and equal to it.

I am, Dear Sir,

Your affectionate and faithful

friend, and humble fervant,

*Which it hath fince done: and in the town

and parish where this good man was born, and where for so many years he exercised his faithful ministry.

LETTER XX.

DEAR SIR,

May 22, 1776.

As you have PALMER'S Abridg

I think

on the

ment of BAXTER's Reformed Paftor, you can need no further advice from me about your parishioners. that book is inftar omnium fubject. You will no doubt, call at every house in your parish, and make prudent inquiries into their state; whether they attend the church and facrament, have prayer in their families, catechise their children, and take pains with their fervants. It is easier to preach acceptably at fuch places as B**, than to converfe intelligibly and profitably with country-farmers. A late author (I forget whom) faith, St. ANTHONY'S

Price two fhillings and fixpence.

ANTHONY's preaching to the pigs, (according to the popish legend) was only preaching to country-farmers. But as the gospel is adapted to them, I pray God, you may be inftrumental in carrying it to their hearts.

I do not think MACKNIGHT on the Gospels (tho' a very useful, judicious book) will do for Mr. ** to read in his family. I make ufe of Mr. HENRY'S Expofition, or Dr. DODDRIDGE'S EXpofitor, in mine. When I read the latter, my family have their bibles in their hands, and I defire them to turn to that evangelift, whofe account is moft large in the fection. Some perfons read only the text and improvement in their families, as Dr. ADAMS, &C. What I fay in my Religious Exercifes,* (p. 144.) is, "I would

0 3

Religious Exercifes recommended, fecond edition, price 35.-"Thefe fermons, (fay the

Monthly