CHARGE X.

ON THE MANNER IN WHICH THE CLERGY ARE TO CONDUCT THEMSELVES AMONG MEN OF THE WORLD.

NOTHING appearing to me of greater consequence, in order to support the dignity of the priesthood, than the manner in which we conduct ourselves in society, I will beg your attention to the following reflections; which, as they are affectionately offered, so they will, I trust, be willingly received.

Intended, as we are, to be the salt of the earth, we must, necessarily, mingle with it; we form but one body with the men that inhabit it; and instead of seeking at a distance, a retreat from their vices, we should, as far as lies in our power, preserve them from plunging into any, which might be either dangerous to their souls, or destructive of their peace. But, instead of stemming the torrent of wickedness, which inundates the world, we ourselves are, sometimes, carried away by its force. In order, then, to avoid the evil to which we are often exposed, we have only to lay down the rules of prudence, and the obligations of Religion, to which we are to conform; whereas,

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the contempt of them may subject us to danger, and involve us in dilemmas, out of which we cannot easily get extricated.

The first rule relates to the choice of the persons with whom you associate. For, if the world sees you out of your sphere, at riotous meetings, or with profligate companions*, will it suppose you innocent in your mind, and exemplary in your morals? Is it allowable, in a Clergyman, whose reputation is so precious to the Church, and so valuable to himself-since the whole success of his ministry depends upon it—to addict himself to a sort of life, which excites suspicion of his principles, and causes doubts of his innocence? He may declare, indeed, that the secret murmurs, and public clamours, with which he is reproached, are suggested by the malevolence, and encouraged by the envy, of his enemies. But though he should be merely imprudent, by giving rise to suspicions, would he be excusable, in not taking immediate precautions to remove them? It is not, however, sufficient for a Clergyman to be free from impropriety of conduct, he must also avoid the ap

*"Still I do not mean that we should be sour and morose: condemn innocent Relaxations, and provoke Men to say, that we rail out of Envy, at what we have absurdly tied up ourselves from partaking of: but express our Dislike of them as mildly as the Case will bear; slight with good Humour the Indulgences, in which others falsely place their Happiness; and convince them by our Experience as well as Reasoning, how very comfortably they may live without them."-Abp. SECKER.

pearance of it. He must not sacrifice public opinion, which is so essential to the character of a Pastor, and to the honour of the Church, to a love of unjustifiable amusements, or an attachment to improper company.

It may be said, are we to withdraw from the society which is the most pleasing to us, from the friendships we have contracted, because some persons may, without cause, represent them to our disadvantage? A prepossession unfavorable to a Clergyman ought not to be entertained. "If

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eating meat," says the Apostle, “offends, I will "eat no meat whilst the world standeth." Let him shut the mouth of calumny, let him respect his own character, and it will obtain respect, even from those, who, otherwise, will have great delight in misrepresenting it through meanness, and wounding it through malignity. He may prevent misrepresentation, by taking away occasion from those that seek occasion.

Alas! my brethren, what afflictions have been brought on the Church, not merely by the misconduct, but by the suspicions, to which the want of caution in the Clergy, has given rise! with what humiliating contempt have they not loaded the sacred ministry! and what occasion have they not given to men, to blaspheme the name of God, and to attribute to religion, the failings of its Ministers! But let us throw a veil over these reflections; let us not renew our grief in the presence of holy men of

God, who demonstrate the truth of Christianity, in their discourses, and who enforce its efficacy, by their examples.

By consequence of the same rule, all intercourse with those who declare, openly, in favor of vice, and set virtue at defiance, is forbidden us; with men, whose only occupation is pleasure, and whose ridiculous boast is, of their irregularity and intemperance. What pretence can a Clergyman offer for being seen in such company? If he is agreeable to them, he participates of their works of darkness; if he gently, and not without hesitation and timidity, disapproves, he is an hypocrite, who is ashamed of himself, and not of the excess of which he is a witness. What reproach to the Church, and what disgrace to the profession, that a Minister of the Gospel should be a member of an assembly, which derives all its honour from its licentiousness and intoxication; in which he may perhaps be reckoned the most distinguished, and may arrive at such an height as to have no competitor!

You will, no doubt, reply, that all meetings are not of this description; that we find, in our intercourse with men, many of improved minds, and irreproachable morals, with whom we can associate, without endangering religion, or exposing ourselves to any risk: but you will be pleased to observe, that in the society of the world, however wise, we there breathe the air of the world, and of its maxims:

and that it, insensibly, takes place of that orderly and correct deportment, which the dignity of the ministry so urgently requires: I repeat, that in living in the world, we adopt that behaviour which the world approves, which is far removed from the simplicity of the Gospel; and that our powerful attachment to it arises from a conformity of sentiments. A certain proof, that the inclinations of the world are congenial with your own, and that you are not in your proper sphere, unless you are celebrating its revels, or sacrificing to its follies.

But we have, you say, need of recreations, and we cannot be, always devoted to serious pursuits. Shall a Pastor of the flock, who walks by faith, seek recreations in the midst of the world? And what will he find there, except errors and abuses, which habit sanctions, but which religion abhors; the Redeemer himself outraged in his maxims, ridiculed in his ordinances, often in his servants; charity extinct through the prevalence of hatred, and the jealousy of interest; conversation perverted by the whispers of calumny, and the insinuations of suspicion; God either provoked or forgotten; and the whole world become almost as dissolute, as much covered with darkness, as it was before the promulgation of the gospel. Such is the world! and can a Minister of Christ see it, as it is, without feeling the utmost concern for its ignorance, its blindness, and profligacy? The world can be no other than a vale of tears, in the estimation of a Minister of