It having been the unfeigned desire of good Men , for some Years past , that an end should be put unto our unhappy Differences , the same is become more needful now than ever ; when all Revealed Religion is either publickly derided by Atheists , Deists , &c. or subtilly undermined by Hobbists , Socinians , and other Modern Hereticks : Which should make those that differ from the Established Communion in lesser Matters only , impartially to consider the great Usefulness of the Creeds , Hymns , &c. in our Liturgy , to keep those Gentlemen at a due distance , being introduced into the same for this very purpose , and to remain as so many constant Tests in the Church ( as the best Preservatives against all such pestilent and dangerous Errors ) as well as to confirm and strengthen the Faith of all her Pious and Orthodox Members ; which does sufficiently justifie the Wisdom and Prudence of our First Reformers , in retaining these Antient Forms of sound Words , pursuant to the practice of the Catholick Church . Now if this Point alone were but duely weighed , as it ought to be , I should without any difficulty declare my belief , as well as hopes , that these very Heresies , which were undoubtedly designed by the great Enemy of our Religion further to divide , if possible , and then to ruine us , will be the very Means at last of Uniting us , by that over-ruling Providence which often brings Good out of Evil . Seeing there will , nay must , be Heresies , we should be so wise as to make the best and right use of them .

And if all Patrons of Livings , Lords of Mannors , Gentlemen , Rich Church-Wardens ( as well as the Reverend Clergy ) would but present Dr. Combers on the Common-Prayer , and Dr. Cave's Primitive Christianity , to be chained up publickly in all Churches , of any note , throughout the whole Nation , I am perswaded we should soon see the happy effects thereof : For by this Means the Members of our Church will not only be confirm'd in the just Value , and Esteem , they bear for her Liturgy in general , but be also better instructed how to use the several Offices in the same with more Reverence of Body , and Devotion of Mind , then , it 's to be feared , too many of them do that pretend to be her most zealous Advocates , and avowed Champions . And for those of our Dissenters that are so far and unhappily prejudiced against the Prayers , as never to come to Church to hear the same devoutly read , nor partake of the Holy Sacrament , where the same is duely administred , every Lord's day , ( which I take to be the chiefest Beauty of our Assemblies ) I would earnestly beg you , &c. to put into their hands Dr. Beveridge's Sermon of the Excellency and Usefulness of the same , Dr. Comber's Abridgment , or Mr. Clutterbuck's short Vindication , together with some of the Pious Mr. William Allen's Books ; which last , it 's possible , may prevail more with some of them than any other , he being a wonderful Instance in this kind ; for which Reason , and the true Spirit of Religion that shines in all his Works , I find them deservedly recommended , &c. by many Worthy Divines , notwithstanding he was a Man but of moderate Learning in other matters : Therefore I doubt not but the Sincerity of that good Man might be of very great use to others , if his Example herein were more known , and his Reasons duely weighed ; though I confess this great . Work would be much sooner brought about if the chief Teachers amongst them would act with the like Candour and Ingenuity as Dr. Bates , and Mr. John Showers , and some others , have done , whom we ought to treat with the like Tenderness and Respect .

And here I shall take the Freedom to recommend to the serious Consideration of our Nobility and Gentry , &c. the great Trust the Laws of this Kingdom have reposed in them as Patrons of Livings ; being very sensible they have those Advantages in choosing , and presenting Men of the greatest Abilities , that if they Conscientiously discharge the same , the Church can never fail being furnished with the very best Men in the Kingdom , ( such being most likely to promote the Glory of God , the Honour of Religion , and the Salvation of Mens Souls , by the Soundness of their Doctrine , and Holiness of their Lives ) : But if to gratifie the Importunity of Friends , or to make a Provision for Relations , they happen to miscarry in this great Affair , the Consequences are most deplorable , ( although really there be no Symoniacal Precontract in the Case ) the rather , for that the Thing is uncapable of Reparation . What a Melancholly Consideration must it be for such to reflect upon the same on a Death-Bed , if not sooner ? And also upon the dreadful Account they must give , when Inquisition shall be made for the Blood of Souls , for the abuse of so great a Talent as this of Lay-Presentations is ? I know very well the most cautious Patrons may be imposed upon , as I doubt not but many good Bishops have been , by false Certificates , Letters of Recommendation , &c. which are too easily given upon these Occasions , though I don 't well see how they can , if the most excellent Method of the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Litchfield and Coventry , &c. by a Si quis , &c. were generally observed . But all this might be effectually prevented , by looking out in time for Men of undoubted Reputation for Piety and Vertue , as well as Learning ( which are the truest Qualifications for the Minist●● ) ; for such may be found , though their Modesty will not permit them to trudge after Preferment , as others too often do , to the Scandal of the Ministry , &c. It is observed in the Life of the late Reverend Dr. Horneck , to his Eternal Honour , that his Recommendation alone was of more Value to many Pious Patrons ( who frequently advised with him upon these Occasions ) than many Testimonials ; and whoever trusted to him , was never disappointed of an able Minister , Chaplain , or Curate .

The want of more Care in presenting the most Exemplary Pastors is looked upon , by the wisest and best Men , to be one of the chief Sources of our unhappy Divisions , &c. We may depend upon it , our Dissenters will never be effectually convinced of the Excellent Constitution of this most Primitive Church , unless our Lay-Patrons , &c. do acquit themselves with more Caution in this particular , being ready to exclaim ( as one of them has already done in print ) that some are presented to be Ministers before they are really Christians . It 's to be hoped this rarely happens , yet a few Instances in this kind are sufficient to give them too just an Occasion of Scandal , who are ever ready to receive the same . Upon which account I cannot sufficiently commend the generous Example of the Right Reverend the Bishop of Sarum , in breeding up so many young Gentlemen , &c. for the Ministry , and do heartily wish the same Method were generally observed , not only in our Universities , but also more early in our Grammar-Schools , by making choice of such as are there most promising , who can't well be too soon dedicated to this Holy Function ; many of our most Celebrated Divines having been noted for their Early as well as their Eminent Piety and Vertue .

It were to be wished that all School-Masters in such Schools would furnish their respective Scholars with these Christian Monitors , and Familiar Guides , ( together with Dr. Addison's Catechumen , and Dr. Bray's short Discourse upon the Doctrine of our Baptismal Covenant ) , and also put them upon often reading over the same , especially upon the Lord's-days , and other Holidays , and by frequent Examination to see what progress they make in Divine as well as in Humane Learning ; which might prove a very excellent preservative for our Youth in these dangerous Times , and also an effectual security to Posterity against Vice and Error for the future . I confess I am the more importunate with you , and them herein , by reason so many young Gentlemen , &c. having been lately perverted from the Christian Faith by Hobbists , Atheists , Socinians , and others , to the Scandal of our Holy Religion , and to the no small hazard of corrupting the very Fountains of Learning , Justice , and Honour .

The Original and chief Design of Endowing so many Free-Schools , in this and other Christian Countries , was undoubtedly that our Youth might be early , and effectually instructed in the Principles of our Holy Religion , as well as in Humane Literature ; and as the Reverend Dr. Bray very well observes , one of them in this Nation has this very Inscription , viz. Schola Cathechizationis in Religione Christiana ; and pursuant to the same design , the Twenty Ninth Cannon does expresly , and strictly , enjoyn all School-Masters to Catechize their Scholars . I would not be so understood as that I would have the Parochial Clergy hereby excluded doing their Duty : No ; But as our School-Masters have far greater Power and Authority , then most People are willing their Ministers should have , over their Children , I heartily wish they would make use of the same to this very purpose . Under this Head I shall take occasion to make a grateful Acknowledgment of the Benefit that my self , and others , received by these Catechetical , and other Instructions given us this very way ; and I doubt not but many others have cause to bless God for the like . Indeed I don't see how the Intentions of the many Pious Founders of such Schools can be supposed , in any tolerable measure , complyed withal , unless the Scholars , together with their Reading so many profane Authors , be put upon these Christian Exercises ; otherwise it may be justly enough said that we are more careful to instruct them in the Heathen Theology , &c. than in the necessary and fundamental Doctrines of the first and second Covenant ; upon the knowledge of which , the Christian Religion does intirely depend . There is no want , God be thanked , of many excellent Books in this kind , for the lower Classis , in English ; and for those of the higher , The whole Duty of Man in Latin , Tully's Enchyridion , and others may be very usefully added for variety sake ; and I doubt not but , if due Incouragement were but given , more would be written for this very purpose .

I have taken the Freedom , this last Summer , to present His Highness , the Duke of Glocester , with these useful Books , together with Dr. Isham's Exposition of our Church Catechism , &c. and do understand Dr. Bray has since done the like with his little Treatise above mentioned . Indeed there cannot be too much Care taken of His Highness's Education , and Instruction , which hath likewise induced me to recommend Dr. Taylor's Holy Living and Dying , Dr. Scot's Christian Life , and others , the most Practical Discourses , to His more mature Judgment and Consideration , in hopes that all Tutors , Chaplains , &c. may be prevailed with to do the like to the Young Nobility , Gentry , &c. in their several Stations ; which would be , not only , of singular Benefit to them , and their Relations , but also of incredible Advantage both to the Church and State , which will be best secured by the Pious and Vertuous Education of our Youth . It 's certain they cannot be too early instructed in the Nature and Obligation of their Baptismal Covenant ; which when they do in some good measure understand , they ought solemnly to take upon themselves by Confirmation , and ever after frequently renew at the Lord's Supper . We can never sufficiently lament the deplorable effects of the scandalous Neglect of too many Parents , &c. in this particular .

Though I am willing to believe , as well as hope , that Atheism has seen its greatest height in these Nations ; indeed it has been matter of just astonishment to good Men to see it appear bare-faced so long : The very Heathens would never have suffered half so much ; and it 's hard that we shall not do that for the true Religion that they would have done for the false ; i.e. afford it a reasonable Protection . But as bad Customs and ill Practices do generally produce good Laws , so the intolerable Insolence , wherewith these Gentlemen have lately treated the most Sacred Things , hath at length necessitated the Parliament to bring in a Bill on purpose to oblige them to keep a better Decorum in their Writings and Discourses for the future . It having been an Antient Observation , That Severity hath never failed to extirpate Heresies , &c. when the true Religion hath rather increased thereby .

There hath been more than enough written upon this unhappy Occasion to satisfie any sober , unprejudiced Persons ( that will but give themselves leisure to read and consider Things ) ; but when Men are so far abandoned to Scepticisme , &c. as to dispute every Thing , we must leave them , as Providence generally does , to a fit of Sickness , or some extraordinary Judgment , to rouse them from their security ; when , if they are not stupified , we often find them in quite another Story ( especially if they happen to have had a Religious Education ) . We have had many remarkable Instances in this kind of late Years , ( and I doubt not but there have been such in all Ages of the Church , to the Glory of God , and the Honour of Religion ) particularly in the Right Honourable James Earl of Marlborough , John Earl of Rochester , Sir Alan Brodrick , Sir Duncomb Colchester , Mr. Hambden , and others , as appears by their several Letters , Remonstrances , &c under their own Hands , which we may expect to see Printed altogether in a little time ( if it shall be thought adviseable ) ; in the interim must refer such as require further satisfaction herein to the Original Copies , as they lye dispersed in the hands of their respective Relations , though some of them are already Printed in their Funeral Sermons , and by Mr. Turner in his Essay upon the Works of Providence ; and after all , I am apt to think , this would be the shortest way of dealing with some of these would be Atheists , and not answer them alwayes according to their Folly .

Much Good having been done by this very Method of lending , recommending , selling and giving away such Practical and Devotional Pieces , as have a direct tendency to Holiness of Life , I make no question but much more will be done when this Pious and Charitable Design shall be generally known , and effectually put in execution ; for by this Means we may instruct not only our own Families , but also those of our Neighbours , Friends and Relations , &c. to their unspeakable Benefit . Nay , it would be an Instance of the most Heroick Charity to let our greatest Enemies partake of our Kindness and Favour herein , whereby we may heap coals of fire upon their Heads , not to consume but to melt them down to a better and more Christian Temper : All which may be managed with the greatest Privacy imaginable , and that with very little Trouble or Expence . Under this Head I think it not amiss to take Notice of a very pious and laudable Custom in distributing such little Useful Books as these , Christian Monitors , Dr. Ashton of Death-bed Repentance , &c. amongst the Poorer sort of People at Funerals ; and to the Richer , such as Dr. Taylor's Holy Living and Dying , Dr. Sherlock on Death and Judgment , Drelincourt on Death , &c. Dr. Bates's Four last Things , Dr. Scot's Christian Life ( the First Part ) , Dr. Cave's Primitive Christianity , Bishop Patrick's Devout Christian , The whole Duty of Man , and others judiciously chosen , whereby the whole Kingdom would be supplyed , in few Years , with the most Practical and Useful Discourses , ( without any extraordinary Charge , being given instead of other Things ) . And as I wish these kind of Charities ( inter alias ) were intimated by the Parochial Clergy to their respective Parishioners whilst they are in Health , so in a more particular manner in their frequent attendance upon them in their Sickness , which will be found to be the best Opportunity to inculcate the same : But herein a prudent regard must be had to the Ability of the deceased , and of the surviving Relations , as to the Prises of these Books , which may be had from Three Pence or Four Pence a piece to Five or Six Shillings , Licensed by Authority , which will effectually take off all Objections against the Usefulness of this Undertaking .

Now seeing I am ingaged insensibly so far upon this pious Design of dispersing such Books which have a direct tendency to Holiness of Life , and a General Reformation of Manners , I shall take the Freedom to recommend to all High Sheriffs , Justices of the Peace , and other Magistrates , &c. in Cities and County-Towns ( as also to the Judges , Sergeants and other Eminent Pleaders in their respective Circuits ) the furnishing the Goals and Prisons of the Kingdom with Mr. Kettlewell's Office for Prisoners ( or another little Treatise , Entituled , Relief for Prisoners ) together with these Christian Monitors , &c. which would be of singular Use and Comfort to all those unhappy and miserable people under Confinement in such places , either for Debt or for matters of a Criminal Nature ( being given by the hands of such Magistrates , or of the pious Clergy ) and will most suitably imploy their many idle hours , and so prevent much Profaneness and Wickedness which does too much abound in those places : And though I would have these little Books promiscuously given to all Prisoners that can read , ( and for those that cannot they may be read to by others ) yet in a more especial manner to such as shall receive Sentence of Condemnation . And it would be an additional Charity , for more of the Pious Clergy , to be assisting to such in a timely Preparation for another World .

And if the like Method were observed in all the Bridewels , and Houses of Correction , throughout the Nation , I am perswaded no small Good might be done upon many of those profligate and disorderly Persons that shall be sent to such places for the future : For by thus mingling Piety and Mercy with Exemplary Justice , no doubt but some of them will be reclaimed from their dissolute way of living , which will be a piece of good Service to the State , as well as the most genuine Charity in the World for all such Offenders , many of whom will have just Cause to bless God for falling into the hands of such pious Magistrates , &c. And as I have already intimated thus much unto the present Governour , &c. of our Bridewel here , so I hope your self and others will not be wanting to communicate the same to the Justices of the Peace , and other Magistrates in your Neighbourhood , especially to such of them as are most likely to see it effectually put in execution . This may likewise deserve the Consideration of the Societies of Reformation in and about this City , whose Useful Undertaking having the Approbation and Incouragement of the King , Lords Spiritual , &c. and of so many Worthy Divines and Pious Magistrates , it 's not doubted but in little time it will be introduced into all the Cities , Corporations , &c. of note in the Nation . For a further Vindication of these Societies , I shall refer you to the Account of their Rise and Progress , written by the Reverend Mr. Woodward in a distinct little Treatise , and to their Black Lists , and also to the several Excellent Sermons preached Quarterly before the same , which very well deserve the perusal of all good Men , especially those in Authority , whom it immediately concerns to see the many good and wholsome Laws effectually put in Execution against Prophaneness and Immorality pursuant to the King's Speech , the House of Commons Address , and His Majesties most Gracious Proclamation .

There seems to be an happy Emulation at this time , amongst good Men , to out do each other in this intended Reformation , which gives us good ground to believe it proceeds from Above ; and seeing the King intends to have a particular regard to persons of Piety and Vertue in the disposal of Places of Preferment , I am perswaded it would be no small Incouragement to sincerity in Religion , if Lists could be made of such of the Nobility , Clergy , Gentry and Traders , &c. as are most Eminent for the same , in all the Cities , Corporations and Counties of the Kingdom , ( more especially of such as are constant Communicants ) ; for by this Method His Majesty can never fail being served by Persons of the greatest Integrity , which will tend no less to the Honour than Sasety of His Person and Government ; and it 's to be hoped His Majesty will so far incourage this very Design , as upon all Occasions to countenance the same , and particularly by furnishing His Fleet and Army with the Two other little Treatises . Religious Seaman and Devout Souldier , together with these Christian Monitors and Familiar Guides ; which may be a means of promoting Piety and Vertue amongst those dissolute People , being given by the hands of the respective Chaplains , &c.

And I doubt not but many of our Merchants , Owners and Commanders of Shipping , may be prevailed with to disperse these Useful Books amongst Seamen , Watermen , Porters , Carmen , &c. and also to furnish their respective Vessels with Mr. Dorrington's Sermons for every Sunday in the Year , Mr. Bragg on the Parables of our Saviour , The Devout Christian , The whole Duty of Man , and others judiciously chosen , together with Bibles with the Service , to be read by such Commanders , &c. ( where Chaplains are wanting ) and that as often as Wind and Weather at Sea , and their other necessary Affairs when in Port , will permit ; which would tend very much to the Comfort and Benefit , not only of the Seamen and Passengers , but also of such Commanders themselves , especially in long and tedious Voyages , and in remote and Popish Countries . Doubtless their respective Voyages will succeed accordingly . The whole Charge for one Ship will not exceed Forty Shillings , which does not deserve the mentioning , it being to be considered these Books will always remain on Board , and should be Inventoried accordingly .