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CHAPTER XV.

The Parson Comforting.

THE Country Parson, when any of his cure is sick, or afflicted with loss of friend or estate, or any ways distressed, fails not to afford his best comforts: and rather goes to them, than sends for the afflicted; though they and otherwise ought to come to him. To this end he hath thoroughly digested all the points of consolation, as having continual use of them: such as are from God's general providence, extended even to lilies;—from his particular, to his church;-from his promises;—from the examples of all saints that ever were;-from Christ himself, perfecting our redemption no other way than by sorrow ;-from the benefit of affliction, which softens and works the stubborn heart of man ;-from the certainty both of deliverance and reward, if we faint not;— from the miserable comparison of the moment of griefs here, with the weight of joys hereafter. Besides this, in his visiting the sick or otherwise afflicted, he followeth the church's counsel, namely, in persuading them to particular confession; laboring to make them understand the great good use of this ancient and pious ordinance, and how necessary it is in some cases. He also urgeth them to do some pious charitable works, as a necessary evidence and fruit of their faith, at that time especially. The participation of the holy sacrament,— how comfortable and sovereign a medicine it is to all sinsick souls; what strength, and joy, and peace it administers against all temptations, even to death itself-he plainly and generally intimateth to the disaffected or sick person; that so the hunger and thirst after it may come rather from themselves, than from his persuasion.

CHAPTER XVI.

The Parson a Father.

For

hateth him not as an

And even in those

THE Country Parson is not only a father to his flock, but also professes himself throughly of the opinion, carrying it about with him as full, as if he had begot his whole parish. And of this he makes great use. by this means, when any sins, he officer, but pities him as a father. wrongs which either in tithing or otherwise are done to his own person, he considers the offender as a child; and forgives, so he may have any sign of amendment. So also when, after many admonitions, any continue to be refractory, yet he gives him not over, but is long before he proceed to disinheriting: or perhaps never goes so far, knowing that some are called at the eleventh hour; and therefore he still expects and waits, lest he should determine God's hour of coming; which, as he cannot, touching the last day, so neither touching the intermediate days of conversion.

CHAPTER XVII.

The Parson in Journey.

THE Country Parson, when a just occasion calleth him out of his parish (which he diligently and strictly weigheth, his parish being all his joy and thought), leaveth not his ministry behind him; but is himself wherever he is. Therefore those he meets on the way he blesseth audibly and with those he overtakes, or

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that overtake him, he begins good discourses, such as may edify; interposing sometimes some short and honest refreshments, which may make his other discourses more welcome, and less tedious. And when he comes to his inn, he refuseth not to join, that he may enlarge the glory of God to the company he is in, by a due blessing of God for their safe arrival, and saying grace at meat and at going to bed, by giving the host notice, that he will have prayers in the hall, wishing him to inform his guests thereof, that if any be willing to partake, they may resort thither. The like he doth in the morning using pleasantly the outlandish proverb, that Prayers and provender never hinder journey." When he comes to any other house, where his kindred or other relations give him any authority over the family, if he be to stay for a time, he considers diligently the state thereof to God-ward; and that in two points: First, what disorders there are either in apparel, or diet, or too open a buttery, or reading vain books, or swearing, or breeding up children to no calling, but in idleness, or the like. Secondly, what means of piety, whether daily prayers be used, grace, reading of scriptures, and other good books; how Sundays, holidays, and fasting days are kept. And, accordingly as he finds any defect in these, he first considers with himself what kind of remedy fits the temper of the house best, and then he faithfully and boldly supplieth it; yet seasonable and discreetly, by taking aside the lord or lady, or master and mistress of the house, and shewing them clearly, that they respect them most who wish them best, and that not a desire to meddle with others' affairs, but the earnestness to do all the good he can, moves him to say thus and thus.

CHAPTER XVIII.

The Parson in Sentinel.

THE Country Parson, wherever he is, keeps God's watch; that is, there is nothing spoken or done in the company where he is, but comes under his test and censure. If it be well spoken or done, he takes occasion to commend and enlarge it; if ill, he presently lays hold of it, lest the poison steal into some young and unwary spirits, and possess them even before they themselves heed it. But this he doth discreetly, with mollifying and suppling words;--" this is not so well said, as it might have been forborne ;"-" we cannot allow this." Or else, if the thing will admit interpretation," your meaning is not thus, but thus ;"—or, “so far indeed what you say is true, and well said; but this will not stand." This is called keeping God's watch, when the baits which the enemy lays in company are discovered and avoided. This is to be on God's side, and be true to his party. Besides, if he perceive in company any discourse tending to ill, either by the wickedness or quarrelsomeness thereof, he either prevents it judiciously, or breaks it off seasonably by some diversion. Wherein a pleasantness of disposition is of great use, men being willing to sell the interest and engagement of their discourses for no price sooner than that of mirth; whither the nature of man, loving refreshment, gladly betakes itself, even to the loss of honor

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CHAPTER XIX

The Parson in Reference.

THE Country Parson is sincere and upright in all his relations. And, First, he is just to his country; as when he is set at an armor or horse, he borrows them not to serve the turn, nor provides slight and unuseful, but such as are every way fitting to do his country true and laudable service, when occasion requires. To do otherwise, is deceit: and therefore not for him who is hearty and true in all his ways, as being the servant of Him in whom there was no guile. Likewise in any other country duty, he considers what is the end of any command, and then he suits things faithfully according to that end. Secondly, he carries himself very respectfully, as to all the fathers of the church, so especially to his diocesan, honoring him both in word and behavior, and resorting unto him in any difficulty, either in his studies or in his parish. He observes visitations; and, being there, makes due use of them, as of clergy councils for the benefit of the diocese. And therefore, before he comes having observed some defects in the ministry, he then either in sermon, if he preach, or at some other time of the day, propounds among his brethren what were fitting to be done.-Thirdly, he keeps good correspondence with all the neighboring pastors round about him, performing for them any ministerial office, which is not to the prejudice of his own parish. Likewise he welcomes to his house any minister, how poor or mean soever, with as joyful a countenance, as if he were to entertain some great lord.-Fourthly, he fulfils the duty and debt of neighborhood, to all the

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