with my Family to the Publick Service daily. But if I have the opportunity of Publick Wor-' ship, I am constant in it, as in all other Offices of Piety, and fear not being called an Hypocrite; for this is another of the unjust Measures of the world, to reckon a Man guilty of Hypocrisy, if he be more strict in Religion, and more scrupulous of a Sin, than others are; whereas true Piety must necessarily openly shew itself, and we are bid to Let our Lights shine before men, that they may see our good works, and glorify God.

And agreeable to this, I not only openly profess a strict Regard to Justice; but exactly practise it towards all men. I pay all men their Dues, all Officers and Offices in Church and State, according to St. Paul's command, Rom. 13. I pay not only all honour and respect, but also all faithful service and obedience to the King, as God's Vice-gerent, and the common Father of the Country. I cannot endure to hear him ill spoken of, or hurt in his Reputation, or injured as to his just Rights, either in Power or Revenue,

And as to my Fellow Subjects, I maintain an exact justice, so as not only to forbear open Violence, Oppression, or Fraud towards any; but also to take care punctually to pay my Debts, and to answer all Promises and Obliga

tions

tions. For not paying Debts is much the same thing as Robbing, or violently taking from another, there being but very little difference between taking Money from a Man when he is unwilling, and keeping it from him when he desires it, and ought in Justice to have it.

From this Principle, I am also punctual in paying my Tythes, and all such Publick Dues for the maintenance of Religion; and for my part take such care otherwise, that they that wait on the Service of God, and watch for my Soul, may have a handsome maintenance, lest by my niggardliness it should happen that the Service of God should be discouraged (and Religion will always suffer in the Ministers of it) or lest worthy Men should be disheartened from entering into the holy Office, or lest they that already serve at the Altar, should be forced to any unlawful, or any unbecoming means to maintain themselves; but that they may have advantages, and helps fit for their Improvement in Learning, that they may be able to defend Religion, and convince the Gainsayers. And this is no more than common Justice; for as they share not with others in secular Business and Trade, and other advantageous ways of raising themselves, so they ought to be provided with such a maintenance, as answers the inge

mous Education they have had, and the Relation they bear to Religion.

Finally, I consider my self as to all the Capacities and Relations, that I am in in the World, and endeavour to behave myself suitably to them, knowing there is a distinct Duty and Obligation between Father and Children, Husband and Wife, Superiors and Inferiors, Friends and Equals, and which therefore every Christian must take care to answer and perform: and which are very fully expressed, in that excellent Book of the Whole Duty of Man.

But much of this Nature will come to be considered also in the Sixth Chapter, under the Head of Civil Conversation.

CHA P. IV.

Of the Service of God in Public.

I

AM taught also in this Church, that it is

not sufficient for me to Believe well, and to perform the Duty of a Christian by my self, or in private; but that there is a publick Profession, and an open exercise of several Acts of Religion, necessary.

For many Duties of Christianity do require the doing of them in Company; and it is an open Profession that doth most encourage Religion, and provoke other men to an imitation. And by the nature of the Publick Service which I frequent, and by my demeanour in it, I give a Sample of my self, and men may thence take an estimate how I am affected in my mind, and how I carry my self in my more private retirements. And I find in the Gospel, that Christ promiseth his Blessings especially to Publick Services, where Two or Three are gathered together in his name; and therefore, that it ought always to be preferred before Private. And Pub

Of the Service of God in Publick. 47

lick Communion hath always been accounted necessary in order to our letting our light shine before men, and making the world know what opinion we are of. For the Publick Articles, and Confession of Faith of that Church with which I Communicate, being known to all the world, my Faith and Belief also, as to the main Articles of Religion, is known at the same time. But the excellency of Publick Service, and its Preference before Private, is fully made out, in that late excellent Treatise of Prayer by Dr. Patrick.

And for this reason also, I religiously abstain. from Communicating with any Heretical or Schismatical Congregation; that is, with any that hold any erroneous opinion contrary to any of the great articles of Christianity, or that but keep private and separate meetings. from the Publick Worship that is Lawfully Established, lest I be reckoned of their party and persua sion. For all such separate meetings, are breaches of Charity; and though they may possibly encourage no Heretical opinions now, yet it is odds but such opinions, will find shelter and countenance among them. Such Clancular and irregular Conventicles being the proper Seedplots for such weeds to grow in. the Unity of the body of Christ, Lawful Authority in the Church.

They break and disobey And I am

sure