recollect the occafion on which the work was com pofed.

It is probable that most persons will think many things retained in this Abridgment either unneceffary or impracticable, in most places in the prefent day, whatever they might be in the time and place in which the author lived. But what these are, the editor apprehends it is the READER's business, and not HIS, to determine: that may be needlefs, or impoffible in fome places and circumftances, which, in others, may be eafy and useful. If, to particular perfons, any thing here retained fhould appear impracticable, or even imprudent, it is hoped that they will not throw afide the book as of no ufe; nor, because they cannot do every thing here enjoined, determine to do nothing. The author's directions, in general, may be applied to fome good purpose, tho' not just in the particular way he proposes. Much more might certainly be done than generally is done, in that mode of perfonal inftruction which he fo ftrongly recommends, and fo diligently practifed; efpecially by the Eftablifhed Clergy, who have generally more of that influence. over their people which MR. BAXTER had, than Diffenting Minifters commonly poffels. However, different fituations and circumftances must be allowed to make a considerable difference. It would

5

be

be great arrogance in the editor to prescribe to his brethren and fathers what use to make of the author's directions, amidft their feveral different fituations; and it would be unneceffary, were he better qualified for it than he is: every one is able to judge what duties his circumstances admit of and require; and no confcientious minifter will neglect thofe methods, which this treatife fhall convince him that he may and ought to use.

The editor has nothing more to add but his fervent prayers that the fame bleffing of the Almighty which fo remarkably attended the pious author, and the difcourfe itself, when first published by him, may accompany this revival of it, and render it useful, particularly, to those, who are rifing to the facred work, for whom it is principally defigned, and to whom, it is imagined, it

may be

peculiarly acceptable.

HACKNEY,

Jan. 13th, 1766.

S. P.

P

EXTRACTS.

FROM THE

AUTHOR's PREFACE.

ERHAPS the freedom with which the following treatise is witten may be thought by fome to need an apology. It may be faid "That I ought not to have spoken fo plainly and sharply; especially against the SINS of minifters, in a difcourfe published to the world at least that it should have been done in another language, and not in the ears of the vulgar, when fo many are endeavouring to bring the miniftry into contempt, and our people are too prone to hearken to their fuggeftions." I anfwer, it has not been infinuated that all ministers are guilty of the feveral faults that have been cenfured and thofe who are not guilty are exprefly excepted. There are many humble men who are willing to know their fins that they may forfake them, and their duty that they may perform it. As to others, where the fin is open in the fight of all the world, it is in vain to hide it; the attempt will but aggravate our guilt and encrease our fhame. If the minifters of England had finned only in LATIN, I would have made fhift to admonish them in Latin, or elfe have faid nothing to them; but if they will fin in ENGLISH, they must hear of it in English. If we will not find out our fin, it will farely find out

US.

vs. Unpardoned guilt will never let us reft, tho' we are at ever fo much care and cost to hide it. He that

covereth his fins fhall not profper; but whofo confef'feth and forfaketh them shall find mercy." If we be too tender of ourselves and loath to confefs, God will be lefs tender of us, and will indite our confeffions for us he will either force our confciences to confefs, or his judgments will proclaim our iniquities to the world. Indeed the tongues of many are already at work to proclaim our fin because we will not fpeak the truth, they will speak more than the truth. The world knows that we are finners: as none can fuppofe us perfect, so our particular fins are too apparent to the world. And is it not fit that they should fee that we are PENITENT finners? Penitent confeflion and speedy reformation are the means to filence our adverfaries, as well as to repair our credit with wife and godly men.

If

any who have fet their hands to this facred work give themfelves up to felf-feeking, negligence, pride, and other fins, it is necessary to admonish them. If we could fee them reform without reproof, we would gladly forbear to publifh their faults. But if reproof itself is ineffectual, it is time to fharpen the remedy. To bear with the vices of ministers, is to haften the ruin of the church; for nothing contributes more to the undoing of the people than the depravity of their Guides; nor can we more effectually promote a reformation, than by

*Prov. xxviii. 13.

endea

endeavouring to reform the Leaders of the church. For my part, I have herein done as I would be done by. I do not blame my brethren, as fome others do, to make them contemptible and odious; but to heal those evils that would make them fo. It is not to indulge my own inclination, for I displease myself as much as I do fome of them; and would rather have the ease and peace of filence if it might confift with duty. It is merely the neceffity of men's fouls, and the profperity of the church, which forces me to this arrogance and immodefty, if it may be called fuch. When the honour of God and the everlaiting happiness of fo many perfons are concerned, who that has a tongue can be filent? If thousands of you were in a leaking fhip, and those who should pump out the water and ftop the leaks were fporting, or quarrelling, or fleeping, or only favouring themselves in their labour, to the hazard of you all, would you not call them to their work? If you used sharpness with the flothful, would you think that man in his fenfes who took it ill? who accufed you of pride, felf-conceit, or want of good manners for talking. fo faucily to your fellow work-men? If they charged you with diminishing their reputation, would you not fay, "The work must be done, or we are all dead men ! The ship is ready to fink; and do you talk of reputation? Had you rather hazard yourselves and us than hear of your floth ?"-This, brethrer, is the cafe with us. The work of the Lord muft needs be done. Souls must not perish whilft you mind your worldly bufiness, take your ease, or quarrel with your brethren; nor must we be filent, for fear of feeming uncivil, while men

are