MY Writing to You, at this time, is occasion'd by a sensible growth of Vice and Prophaneness in the Nation: which, to the great Affliction of all good men, appears not only in the corrupt practices of particular persons; but also in the Endeavours that are used to subvert the general Principles of our holy Religion. And this with a boldness and openness, far beyond the examples of past times; so that if a speedy stop be not put to such National Provocations, we have just cause to fear they may bring down the heaviest Judgments of God upon Us; The preventing whereof belongs more immediately to us, who are the Ministers of Christ; and as such, are obliged to the utmost care and watchfulness in opposing these Instruments of Satan.

I doubt not, but many of the Parochial Clergy are sufficiently sensible both of their own duty and the danger we are in: In the Cities of London and Westminster, and other places, I am sure the good effects of their diligence have been very evident of late years. But in some Parts that are more remote, all of them may not so well understand either the Arts or the Industry of these Enemies of Religion: And therefore I thought it a Duty incumbent on the Station wherein Providence has placed me, to desire of you, to warn the Clergy of your Archdeaconry, of these attempts against Religion and Virtue; and to excite them to a Diligence proportionable to the Danger; and to suggest to them such Methods as are most likely to work a General Reformation.

With this request, I send You such Particulars as, in my Opinion, are very necessary to be pressed upon the Clergy for the attaining so desirable an End. As,

I. That in their own Lives, and the Government of their own Families, they would make themselves Examples of a sober and regular Conversation. It is the Apostles Reasoning, If a man know not how to rule his own house (and much more his own Life and Actions) how shall he take care of the Church of God? The true method of working a Reformation abroad, is to lay the foundation at home; which alone can give our Reproofs a just Weight and Authority: but till that is done, no Exhortations, whether in publick or private, can either be offer'd with decency, or receiv'd with reverence.

II. To Piety, they should add Prudence in all their Actions and Behaviour: which even in Private Christians is a great Ornament to Religion; but in Publick Teachers is a most necessary qualification for the due discharge of their Ministry. A Mildness of temper, with a Gravity and Calmness in their Conversation, will not fail to gain them a general Love and Esteem among their Neighbours: and a discreet Caution in their Words and Actions, will preserve them from those little Imprudences that are sometimes so sensible an Obstruction to the good Endeavours of wellmeaning Men. Persons in Holy Orders are not only bound, in the conduct of their Lives, to consider what is lawful or unlawful in it self, but also what is decent or indecent in Them, with respect to their Character and Function. Abstaining from all appearance of evil; and giving no Offence in any thing, that the Ministry be not blamed.

III. While Our Enemies are so very industrious in seeking out Objections against the Christian Religion; it becomes the Clergy (who are set apart for the Vindication of it) to be no less diligent in their Preparations for its Defence: By acquainting themselves thorowly with the rational grounds of Christianity, and the true state of such Points as are the Subjects of our present Controversies; together with the Objections which are usually made by our Adversaries of all sorts, and the Effectual Answers that have been returned to them by so many Eminent Writers of our own Church: That so they may be ready, on all occasions, to do justice and honour to our Religion; and be able to expose the folly and ignorance of these Gainsaying Men. The Cause which God has put into our hands, is undoubtedly good; but the best cause may suffer by the weakness of its Advocate: and when this happens in the matter of Religion, it gives the Adversary an occasion of Triumph, and is apt to stagger the faith even of sincere and unprejudic'd Christians.

IV. It were to be wisht, that the Clergy of every Neighbourhood, would agree upon frequent Meetings, to consult for the good of Religion in general, and to advise with one another about any difficulties that may happen in their particular Cures. By what Methods any Evil Custom may most easily be broken; How a sinner may be most effectually reclaimed; and (in general) How each of them in their several circumstances may contribute most to the advancement of Religion. Such Consultations as these, besides the mutual benefit of advice and instruction, will be a natural means to excite the zeal of some, to reduce the over-eagerness of others to a due temper, and to provoke All to a Religious Emulation in the improvement of Piety and Order within their respective Parishes. And These Meetings might still be made a greater advantage to the Clergy in carrying on the Reformation of Mens Lives and Manners, by inviting the Church-Wardens of their several Parishes, and other pious persons among the Laity, to joyn with them in the Execution of the most probable methods that can be suggested for those good Ends. And we may very reasonably expect the happy Effects of such a concurrence, from the Visible Success of that Noble Zeal wherewith so many about the great Cities in my Neighbourhood, do promote true Piety, and a Reformation of Manners. And therefore I desire you that you will particularly excite the Clergy to the procuring such assistances as these, for the more effectual discharge of their own duty.