251

APPENDIX,

CONTAINING A FEW PASSAGES FROM BISHOP WILSON'S PAPERS, ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE PRECEDING MEMOIR.

RESOLUTIONS MADE AT THE TIME OF HIS ORDINATION; see p. 168.

"1st. I resolve never to give any person any manner of bribe or gift, nor make any manner of contract or promise, for a church preferment, though never so good, and the consideration how inconsiderable soever it be.

"2dly. That I will never give a bond of resignation upon any consideration whatever; being fully persuaded, that when God sees me fit for such an employment, he can bring me into it without subjecting me to these conditions (which I verily believe are unlawful), and if I can never have any ecclesiastical preferment but upon these terms, I am satisfied it is God's will I should have

none.

"3dly. Considering the scandal and injury of pluralities to the church, I resolve never to accept of two church livings with cure of souls (if such should ever be in my choice), though never so conveniently seated.

"4thly. I resolve, that whenever it shall please God to bless me with a parish and a cure of souls, I will reside upon it myself, and not trust that to a curate which ought to be my own particular care.

"That I may not ensnare myself by residence, I mean such as the bishop of the diocese shall determine not

only to be consistent with the laws of the land, but such as an honest conscientious man may venture his salvation upon; because, for aught I know, some such cases there may be."

REFLECTIONS, AFTER HIS RECOVERY FROM THE FEVER

WHICH SEIZED HIM SEP. 29, 1693; see p. 170. "1st. That very day se'nnight before, I was guilty of a very great fault, which I am sure was very offensive to God, and which I had not repented of; and perhaps had not done it to this day, but had gone on in my wickedness, if God had not by this or some other fatherly correction diverted me.

"2dly. I began my journey (contrary to a former resolution) on a Sunday, which, without great necessity, I think I ought not to have done; that day being particularly appointed for God's service.

"3dly. I cannot but reflect how very dangerous a thing it is to leave the settling of a man's temporal and spiritual affairs till he is seized with sickness; since I find, by a just experience, how very unfit one then is for any manner of business.

66

4thly. That my recovery and second life was manifestly owing to God, is what I cannot but acknowledge; that therefore, as I ought never to forget the mercy, so ought I to spend the remainder of this life to the honour, and in the service, of the author of it; which, by the grace of God, I will do.

5thly. I am now most sensible, that sickness is an excellent means of bringing us nearer to God. As then I am, by what God has wrought in me, extremely satisfied that it was the great blessing of my life, I ought (as my Master's service obliges me to it) to take all occa

sions of making God's fatherly correction useful to those who are chastised by this or any other affliction.

"And may the good and merciful God, who has put these good reflections into my heart, may He give me grace never to forget them, nor the blessing I this day received. May I, dear God, never provoke Thee to plague me with diseases, nor bring thy punishments upon me, which Thou never dost, unless we force Thee by our repeated transgressions. This, I confess with all sense of sorrow was my case; and Thou, O God, hadst been less kind to me, hadst Thou been less severe. I acknowledge Thy justice, and I acknowledge Thy favour. Couldst Thou have been just and not merciful, I had been utterly destroyed; hadst Thou been merciful and not just, I might have gone on in my wickedness, till I had brought down destruction upon my own head. It is good for me that I have been in trouble, for I have since learned to keep thy commandments; but it had not been good for me, had I not fallen into the hands of a merciful God. Since, therefore, Thou didst in great mercy restore me to my former health; since Thou hast given me a new life, give me grace likewise, without which my life will be no blessing to me; give me grace, I humbly beg, to serve Thee with this life which is thine. Thou needest not, O God, my service, but accept of my ambition of serving Thee, I would do something that might be acceptable to my great benefactor. Thou desirest no sacrifice, else I would give it Thee; I offer my life to be employed in thine immediate service, to which I have dedicated it. I will preach thy way unto the wicked; and by my ministry, if Thou seest good, sinners shall be converted unto Thee. They shall taste and see how gracious the Lord is to those whom he chastises in his love. "Blessed are all they that put their trust in him; and

blessed be the name of the Lord, who has indulged me this opportunity of returning my hearty thanks for this mercy in particular, which I do this day commemorate. To whom, with the Son and the Holy Ghost, be ascribed all praise, honour, and glory, by me, and all that are sharers of these mighty blessings. Amen."

"REFLECTIONS UPON MY OWN PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES, OCT. 21, 1696."

This was the day before his conversation with the Earl of Derby: see p. 171.

"IT has pleased God to call me out of a family (which, through its honesty and industry, by God's blessing, has secured it from poverty, yet is far from being rich) to a post which my own merits and prudence could never have brought me to. The several steps I have made to this place have been very extraordinary, and such as plainly appear to have been by the direction and goodness of God; from which I cannot but conclude, that since God has thus raised me, it must certainly be for some wise and good end; and that I might be obliged, by all the force of interest and gratitude, to do my duty in this state of life to which I am called. It is true, it may at first sight appear very hazardous, to use that liberty and freedom which may seem necessary to advise and reclaim that great man whom I serve. But then I am to consider, that were I really to lose all my expectations, as well as what I have gotten, I am but where I was when God at first shewed me his favour. Nay, my education will still set me above my father's house.

"But this is not what I ought to fear: for cannot God, who raised me without myself, cannot He raise me, or

keep me up, though my ruin should be designed and attempted? And perhaps it may never come to this: for who knows, but God may give a blessing to my honest endeavours? And then I am sure it will be the greatest advantage, as well as honour of my whole life, and an ease to my soul all my days; and if he only falls out with me, and discharges me his family, I have the glory and satisfaction of having done a great good work.

"Now, if I neglect this, which I take to be my duty, or, for fear of danger or any temporal consideration, put it off in hopes of a better occasion; I may justly expect that God, who raised me (it may be for this very purpose), when I am found so backward in his service, will level me with the meanest of my father's house. My fortune is in his hand entirely; and He that could find a way to raise me without myself, can find out a way to ruin me in spite of my best endeavours.

"And since in my conscience I know that I have not the least pretence to what I enjoy, but all is owing to his providence and goodness, I am his debtor for it; and I have no other way of making a return, but by doing my duty honestly, and leaving the event to God.

"And may that Eternal Goodness inspire me with a resolution answerable to this good and great design! May no weak and cowardly apprehensions fright me from my duty! May I fear Him only who has power over my soul, as well as body, to destroy them both if I am disobedient to the heavenly command.

"Inspire me, O God, with a zeal and courage becoming my profession, that I may rebuke vice boldly, and discountenance wickedness wherever I find it, and be jealous for thy glory in the presence of the greatest men on earth. Above all, O Lord Almighty, make me to do some good in this station in which, by thy providence, is