43² APPENDIX.

the moſt reaſonable and gracious terms which he hath appoiut-

ed, for obtaining an intereſt in his grace and favour. Upon the whole, the beſt thing that can be wiſhed, for the honour of God, for the happineſs of mankind, and for the real welfare of our country, is, that a hearty zeal for the knowlege and practice of our holy religion may have a revival among us: and that perſons of all orders and conditions may join in contributing to promote its ſacred intereſts. And not- withſtanding the corruption too juſtly complained of, there are many, Tam perſuaded, among us, and may the number of them daily encreaſe! who are earneſtly deſirous to do this. Every man has it in his power to contribute ſomething towards it, at leaſt by endeavouring to walk in a converſation becoming the Goſpel. But there are ſome perſons who have pecvliar advantages for doing honour and ſervice to Chriſtianity. Thoſe eſpecially that are diſtinguiſned by their HIGH Raxk, their FoRkTuNE and QUaAaLITY, fhould make uſe of the influence this gives them for recommending and promoting true religion and virtue, which will add a luſtre to their titles and dignities, and is one of the beſt ways they can take to ſhew their regard to the public happineſs. MAGIsTRATEsS fhould account it their duty and their honour to employ the authority they are inveſted with, for ſerving the intereſts of religion, and diſ- countenancing vice and wickedneſs; ſince for this purpoſe they are appointed, that they may be for the Buniſbment& evil- doers, and for the praiſe gf them that do well. And it is then that their authority will have its proper influence, when it is ſtrengthened by that of their own good example. But above all, they who are honoured with the character of the MiNI- sTERsS Of the holy Jeſus ſfhould make it the very buſineſs of their lives to ſpread and promote real vital Chriſtianity, to in- ſtruct the people in its important doctrines, and build them up in their moſt holy faith, and to enforce upon them the excel- lent duties it enjoins, by all the powerful and moſt engage- ing motives which the Goſpel ſets before us. And that their inſtructions may have the proper effect, it highly concerneth them to keep themſelves free from the faſpionable vices and follies of the age, and to endeavour to be enſamples to their flocks, by a well-tempered zeal, piety, and charity, and the virtues of a holy life. Thus will they not only do the higheſt ſervice to religion, but procure the greateſt honour to them- ſelves, and the moſt juſt veneration for their ſacred character, which, Where it is not diſgraced by a conduct unworthy of it, naturally