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and indifference to all religion? And though the Patrons of fuch latitude have been folidly refuted by argu→ ment and difputation: yet how few will take the pains to look into the merits of the controverfy, or are able to judge of it with a critical exactnefs?

We have heard, by many hands, what a harveft has been made of late by the emiffaries of the church of Rome: And to what fo likely can we attribute their fuccefs, as to that unsettled ftate of religion, which must needs give uneafinefs, if ever men come to any seriousness of mind, and, in order to avoid the pain of endless doubt and uncertainty, makes them glad to take shelter under the vain pretence of an infallible director?

As the clergy of this Diocese have lately been admonish'd, by our vigilant Diocefan, to guard against this growing mischief; I thought it E 2 would

would be now more particularly feasonable to ftrike at the very root and bottom of it, by recommending a ferious and earnest restoration of Family-Religion. And because our difcourfes from the pulpit are too eafily forgot, and put out of mind by multiplicity of other business, I was willing to commit this fermon to the prefs, that, as I meant it for a standing rule of life, you may be able to look into it again and again; and, befides the office of public preaching, it may fupply the defect of that private advice and admonition, which the temper of the prefent age, and the hurry of fecular bufinefs in this great city, has made almost impracticable.

Many books of devotion there are publifh'd, which may be profitably used by you on this occafion. And though I would not take upon me to prescribe in fuch variety, fince different perfons may have good

reafons

reasons for observing different methods; yet for those who have less leisure to attend the daily fervice of the church, I fhould imagine some collects might be easily selected to fuit the occafions and exigencies of the Family. And a collection of this fort is publish'd, under the title of The Common-Prayer-Book the beft Companion.

God grant that these my weak endeavours may fucceed, to the honour and glory of his Name, to your progrefs and improvement in all chriftian virtues, and to the folid fatisfaction and comfort of

Your affectionate Paftor, and

faithful Servant in Chrift Jefus,

William Berriman.

1

55

SERMON II.

Family – Religion recommended.

JOSH. xxiv. 15.

But as for me and my house, we will
Serve the Lord.

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II.

HEN we confider the abundant SER M. increase of infidelity in the prefent age, how the doctrines of Christianity are openly attacked and ridiculed, and its precepts disobey'd; what coldness and indifference appears in many who have not quite thrown off the profeffion of Religion, how rarely they appear, and how little they are concern'd, in our religious Affemblies; what ftrangers to the very terms of chriftian Communion, and how little obfervant of the rules of Chriftian living; what advantage this has given to the emiffaries of the church of Rome, to make a prey of fome perfons who have ferious hearts but weaker heads, and who being offended at fuch inconfiftency and

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