CHAPTER V. Page On the concurrence of all ferious minds, in endeavouring to promote a reformation. 189 On the circumfcribed effects of the miniftry of a few popular preachers..... ... 190 No general revivals of religion on record, in For bringing on this defired concurrence, there 194 .... 196 Serious men of different fentiments fhould be ca- .... 198 .... 204 There should be a careful avoidance of whatever CHAPTER VI. The qualities which the prefent times require to be united in them, to whom the management of religious concerns is chiefly entrusted.... .. 208 Timid proceedings not equal to the occasion...... 209 Zeal must be tempered by a truly philofophical mind.. CHAPTER VII. On cultivating a spirit of devotion; and of its How a fpirit of devotion would operate on them, With respect to truths held by fectaries;... 211 217 . 220 221 In their ordinary intercourfe with the laity;... 222 the Church, without the piety requifite for ... 226 In the ufe made of any cenfures on the profeffion 228 Page CHAPTER VIII. On fome obvious means of ameliorating the The means which the fuperior clergy poffefs for 234 .... 235 The facilities which yet remain for carrying the The parochial clergy in poffeffion of them....... CHAPTER IX. 241 243 Prayer for a revival in religion, recommended to devout Chriftians of every condition....248 SECTION I. A general effufion of the spirit of grace upon The Scripture doctrine respecting the influence An encouragement to pray for a revival, drawn 250 251 253 SECTION II. Idea of a revival in religion, from this caufe.. 256 269-273 What influence it would have in legislation. 273-278 ... 279 ..... The style of living that would be seen among the middle orders... 284 The integrity, comfort, and ufefulness, that would Page ... 285 286-290 ADDRESS TO YOUNG CLERGYMEN. ....... 294 295 The neceffity of being heartily devoted to the PRINCIPLES. The importance of being right with respect to 303, 301 CONDUCT. Cautions against deviating from ufage...... 306–308 the profeflion...... .... 309 .. 310-312 On endeavouring to increase the stock of profef- PREACHING. ... 314 They should aim, not merely at procuring affent every thing predisposing to error.. ... 328 Uninftructive effufions condemned. Preaching ex- Intelligible terms of great confequence, in admi- Page 330 ... 336 Low expreffions in the pulpit, have an ill effect on 339 On bringing controverfy into parochial difcourfes.. 340 ENTIRENESS OF CHARACTER. Preaching, though a moft important branch of minifterial duty, not the whole of it........ 346 Much to be expected by clergymen from example alone.. 347 Frequent reviews of their minifterial proceedings recommended, in order to prevent an imperceptible deviation from their right courfe.... 353 CAUTIONS IN RELATION TO NEGLECT, OR ILL TREAT MENT. Confiderations by which pious clergymen fhould be reconciled to the want of preferment........ 356 Advised not to indulge a melancholy view of their condition, if neglected.. ... 360 Nor to be betrayed by unjust furmifes, into any thing that has the appearance of refentment.. 361 Nor to fail of being examples of deference to fuperiority... 363 Urbanity of behaviour to be affociated with fupe- 363 CONCLUSION. Candid conftruction of thofe general cenfures, in 371 CHAPTER I. THE STATE OF THE TIMES WITH RESPECT TO RELIGION CONSIDERED. SECTION I. On the visible Decline of Attendance on Public Worship. THERE is, perhaps, in minds offended at vice, too great a difpofition to confider the wickedness of present times, as exceeding that of a former period. Left an error of this kind fhould be committed here, it will be adviseable to confine our obfervations to fuch circumftances, as admit of little doubt or misconception. Leaving it, therefore, to better calculators to fay, whether the balance on the entire account would be in our favour or not; I may fafely venture to affirm, that with refpect to one very important point of Chriftian duty, we have confiderably declined of late years: it is matter of fact, that our churches are not fo well attended as they formerly were. The entire apparatus of our B |