A Bishop's mode of life ought to be that of a Christian Clergyman. In him luxury and parade are peculiarly out of character. Hofpitality, we admit, in the primitive ages of the church, was a qualification required in a Bishop. But what was that hospitality? To give food and lodging to strangers, especially to those who travelled for the purpose of preaching and promoting the Gospel, in countries where there exifted no inns to receive them. The place of this no longer needed hospitality is now beft fupplied by ample charities bestowed in other ways, adapted to the exigencies of modern times. Something however must be conceded to public expectation, with respect to modes of living; and more is expected in fome fees than in others, in confequence of their great revenues and distinguished eminence. And universally, a Bishop ought to remember that it is one part of his official duty to endeavour to improve his own Clergy in particular, and the upper ranks of the community in general, by his fociety and example. But let him not forget that one of the Chriftian virtues of which he is to fet an example is moderation. Neither

let

let company, or unneceffary avocations of any kind, prevent him from habitually devoting himself to the study of the Scriptures; and to other theological pursuits, fuited to his talents, or demanded by the circumftances of the times.

The general duties of Peers have already been fo fully discussed in a chapter (ccc) fet apart for the investigation of them, that little remains to be added on the conduct of Bishops in their capacity of Lords of Parliament. The rank and prerogatives attached to a seat in the Upper House should be regarded by a Bishop in the fame light as all other powers vefted in him by the Conftitution; namely, as deftined to be employed for the advancement of morality and religion. Hence laws calculated to reprefs and chastise vice, to facilitate the diffufion of knowledge, to accelerate the progrefs and increase the influence of religion, should not only receive his warmeft fupport, but be introduced by him, as occafions offer, to the confideration of Parliament. The true interests of

(ccc) Chap. v.

the

the church to which he belongs should experience his watchful protection. He fhould defend them, however, without feeking to impofe or to continue needless or unwarrantable reftraints on those who diffent from it; and without being led by timidity, or the fear of feeming to acknowledge an error, to refift the temperate (ddd) amendment of any thing which he fhall be convinced is defective in the establishment. A Bishop fhould not fuffer his attendance in Parliament to encroach more than is requifite on his refidence in his diocese. And above all things let him beware of being turned afide from the path which duty prescribes to him as a legiflator, by his connection with the perfons to whom he owes his elevation, or by the hopes of arriving at further preferment. A tranflation is not an

(ddd) "It is certainly the intereft of an enemy to suffer "the body to which he opposes himself to lie under as many prejudices, and to be liable to as much cenfure as "is poffible: whereas every good and wife friend ftudies "to preferve that body to which he unites himself, by "freeing it from every thing that may render it lefs ac“ແ ceptable and less useful." Bishop Burnet's Paftoral Care, p. 105.

object

་

object on which he ought to fet his heart. A parochial Clergyman will ufually render the greatest services to religion in a parifh which has long witneffed his virtues. And the influence and power of doing good, which a Bishop derives from a long and intimate acquaintance with his diocese, are commonly so much fupe rior to those which a stranger would poffefs in it, and also to those which he would himself poffefs in a ftrange diocefe; that he should be actuated by higher motives than those of intereft and convenience, if he is defirous of being removed to another fee (eee).

(eee) To draw up forms of public prayer on particular occafions falls within the province of the Bishops. In framing them, care fhould be taken to fhun adulation; and if the events to which they relate are of a political nature, all expreffions should be avoided, as far as may be found practicable, which may be likely to wound the confciences of Clergymen who are to use them. In the time of the American war, when the fentiments of the nation were fo divided respecting the justice of the contest, it is probable that many Clergymen of unquestionable loyalty and attachment to their Sovereign entertained fuch opinions, or at least fuch doubts, on the subject, as to feel great fcruples in delivering the ftrong language adopted in the prayers then prefcribed.

After

After the preceding part of this Chapter was completed, it occurred to me, that in confequence of fome peculiarities in the fituation of the Irish Clergy previously known to me, and probably of others with which I was unacquainted, the duties incumbent on the Minifters of the Irish establishment, and the temptations to which they are expofed, might fo far differ in some respects from those incident to their English brethren, as to require that the diftinction fhould be marked. Under this impreffion I had recourse for information on the fubject to a person of very high rank and eminence in that establishment (ff), who met my wishes in the kindeft manner. The intelligence contained in the following extracts from his communications might have been interwoven, had I applied for it fooner, among the remarks which have been made on topics already difcuffed. But the state of the Irish Clergy, as different from that of the Clergy in this

(ff) A recent and fincerely lamented event (I write this in March 1800,) leaves me at liberty to add, that the excellent perfon in queftion, was the late Primate, Archbishop Newcome.