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towards God, Sober and Temperate our felves, but ufeful to the World. It fecures our Hands from Violence, and Blood; our Tongues from Falfhood and Slander; and our Hearts from Fraud and Cruelty; it renders us Faithful in every Truft; Firm to every Promife: Sincere in all our Profeffions; Peaceable in our Stations; Charitable to the Needy, and the most valuable Members of Society. Without these happy Effects of Religion, 'tis Superftitious and Falfe, Hypocritical and Vain. But Mr. Bonnell's Piety, when examin'd by this, or any other Teft, will appear to be True, Genuine, and Sincere.

His Justice

None cou'd be more Exact in every part of Juftice. He had many Opportunities of and Integrity. Improving his Fortune, and met with Temptations, which few, but himself, wou'd have refifted. But tho' he dispatch'd all, who had Business with him, in the most obliging manner, and with great readiness; yet he never knew, what Gratuity or Reward meant; confining his Gains entirely to his Salary, and never allowing the Importunity or Gratitude of any, to force Pecuniary Acknowledgments upon him. And when at one time, Three Pieces of Broad Gold, and a Guinca or Two at another, were left upon his Table, by Perfons whom he had highly Oblig'd; he gave the Money all away, among those who had formerly been Officers in the Custom-Houfe, and were then in Want; and acquainted his Friends with his Reafons

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for being fo Scrupulous. He own'd he had done Services to many, in getting their Bufinefs Difpatch'd, which ftrictly deferv'd confiderable Rewards; but fhou'd he allow himself to take them, he did not know how far fuch a Practice might prove a Snare to him; might Tempt him to be 'Unfaithful in his Office; and Biafs him from his Duty: And that therefore the fureft way to be Protected from all Bribery, was to keep it at a distance; and never allow himself to take any thing, but just what the King allow'd him; left any approaches to that Sin, however cover'd with Specious Pretences, might give an Advantage to Satan, to Betray him into it. And he told his Friends farther, that the reafon of this Declaration was, that his Principle might be in fome meafure known; that fo he might be better arm'd against Gifts, and Prefents; and 'neither Tempted to accept, nor put to the 'Trouble of Denying them.

These were his Principles and Practices built upon the folid Foundations of Justice and Piety, and that noble Faith which overcometh the World. None ever complain'd who had Bufinefs with him that Money was neceffary to procure Difpatch, or that Difficulties were Impos'd upon them, which Prefents (another name for Bribes) remov'd.

How different was his Behaviour from that which is complain'd of as too common in the World, and how few are proof against Temptati

Temptations, which he not only conquer'd but defpis'd? Were all who are employ'd in Offices of Trust, acted by his Fidelity and contempt of unlawful Gain, we fhou'd not hear fo many Complaints as we do, of the Publick's being defrauded; juft and honest Causes wou'd not mifcarry through the Poverty, nor unjuft ones fucceed through the wealth and Power of those who maintain them; but Juftice wou'd flow in regular Channels, and be equally difpers'd to the Poor and Rich.

mitted to

And fo well was Mr. Bonnell's Character, Orphans frea for Justice and Integrity, Eftablish'd, that quently com the Fortunes of Orphans, were frequently him. committed to his Management and Care:" A Trust which he never declin'd, and always Discharg'd with a moft Confcientious Tendernefs, which is a great Instance of his Charity,as well as Justice.

Nor was his Juftice to Mens Fortunes, stricter than to their Character, and Fame. He rarely touch'd fo nice a Thing as Reputation; and did it always with a Chriftian Temper and Tender Hand. But nothing like Detraction, was obferv'd in his freeft Converfation. He excus'd Mens Failings, as far as was Reconcilable with Chriftian Prudence and Sincerity; and put the best Comment upon every Action it cou'd bear: And what he cou'd not Juftifie, he wou'd pass lightly over. Not but that he was above that Ridiculous Complaifance of Applauding every Perfon, and every Action, how P z Worth

His Charity.

To Mens
Souls.

worthless foever the One or the Other might be: He was Bleffed with too difcerning a Genius, for fuch good natur'd Folly. Yet on the other hand, none made greater Allowances for Humane Nature; for the various Tempers and Educations of Men; and he was feldom fo fevere on any as himself. His Converfation was not four'd, with Conftant and Melancholly Complaints of the Impieties of the Age; and Railing at those Freedoms of Life, which tho' he did not Pra&ife himself, yet he wou'd not condemn as Crimes, in those who us'd them. And as this is a Temper, very Excellent in it felf; fince it proceeds from that Charity, which Hopeth, Believeth, and Endureth all Things: So it is the more to be valued, because the want of it, has been Complain'd of, in Men of very strict Lives: Some Religious Severities, perhaps, difpofing Men to Melancholly, and hard Thoughts of thofe, who don't deny themselves every liberty, they have a diflike to. But with Mr. Bonnell, it was quite otherwife; he Rejoiced, when he cou'd speak well of any: And when he was forc'd to discommend, 'twas always done with Concern and Regret.

Equal to his Juftice was his Charity, which like that of Heaven, Rejoic'd in doing Good to All. He had a true Concern for the Souls of Men: He Contemplated, fo conftantly, the amazing Love of our Saviour to Mankind, with his Bitter Sufferings to Redeem their Souls; that he was Acted, with fome

Degree

Degree of his Infinite Love, and Burn'd with his Heavenly Flame. No Man in his Station, cou'd take more Pains, to give all he convers'd with, a true Relish of Piery and Religion. He was continually difperfing good Books among young People, his Clerks, and Servants, and Poor Families which he feconded with fuch conftant Inftructions. upon all fitting Occafions, deliver'd with fuch Kindnefs and Concern, as cou'd not fail, of making great Impreffions upon many of them.

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The fame Divine Charity to the Souls of To the AfMen, fhew'd it felf, in his great and con-flicted. stant Endeavours, to Direct and Comfort thofe, who labour'd under Troubles and Difcontents of Mind. He had a very happy Way of Calming uneafy Thoughts, and Quieting disturb'd Confciences. And in no Work did he employ himself, with greater Readiness or Succefs. For fome Years, his fpare Hours, especially upon the Lord's Day, were very much given to the Scrupulous and Difconfolate; with whom, what he faid, had very great Weight; not only because he deliver'd himself with great Clearness and Judgment; but also because they were always willing to be Convinc'd and Perfuaded by him, from the Opinion they had of his Sincerity and Kindness; for he treated Afflicted Perfons, with great Tenderness and Compaffion. He first felt their Pains, before he attempted their Cure; and Wept with them, that with him they might afterwards ReP 3 joice.

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