country and his near connexions; that his principal works were begun with prayer; and that the more severely he was tried and wounded, the more fer "beseech Thee, in all my religious studies and pursuits, with 66 Thy most gracious favour and benediction. More especially, "I pray Thee, vouchsafe me such a measure of Thy grace and help, as may enable me to prepare a fit and seasonable Discourse to be delivered to the Clergy committed to my charge, "at my intended Visitation now approaching. Grant me, O Lord, by Thy Holy Spirit, to design only what is lawful and right, and conducive to the edification of my hearers; and "effectually aid me in discharging this sacred duty in a manner "acceptable in Thy sight. Crown my labours, O Lord, I be"seech Thee, with such success as will most promote Thy glory, "the good of Thy Church, and the salvation of myself and others; for the sake of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord." 66 66 "MY BIRTHDAY. "Another Birthday on this day appears, "To swell the already long account of years; And, lo! there stands my faithful BIOSCOPE *, "Which gives a warning not to fondly hope "For future Birthdays, more and more, to come, "Before I reach, at length, my final home. "Thanks, friendly Monitor, that wak'st a thought, "With many a grave, yet cheering lesson fraught. "For still one special birthday there remains, "Which from Earth's fleeting pleasures, and its pains, "Ere long must all our hopes and fears dissever :— "And that's a BIRTHDAY which will last FOR EVER! All-gracious Power! whate'er on Earth shall be "My lot, O! let my heart still turn to THEE! 66 "Thither my daily thoughts, affections, bend, "Till freed by Faith, from doubt, from fear, from thrall, They reach that Bliss, where THOU art ALL IN ALL!" * An allusion, probably, to the “Bioscope," by G. Penn, Esq. vent and humble were his devotions. He was taken away, it may be considered, not too soon for himself, with respect both to his mind and body. Nothing remained for him but suffering in the flesh; and the course of public affairs concerning the Church, was becoming, or rather had become, such as he could not observe without continual grief and apprehension. They, however, who enjoyed the privilege of being intimate with him, and of knowing his many excellent qualities, cannot fail still to regret him, and to exclaim, Quis desiderio sit pudor aut modus Tam cari Capitis, at the thought that he is to be seen and conversed with no more. In conclusion, it may seem to many an omission, that the Writer has not attempted to give a distinct statement of his Relative's opinion as to the matters in agitation about the Church. But he has nothing later, on which to found such a statement, than his speeches in Parliament, and his Charges; by the notices of which, it must have sufficiently been seen, that for the most part, though not blindly, nor indiscriminately, he was against the changes and innovations now in progress. If it be farther objected, on the whole, that what has been written is throughout a panegyric, the Writer might plead his near relationship to the Deceased, as a fair excuse with all reasonable men. Apart from this, however, he can truly say, after an examination of many private documents, that he has felt himself obliged to keep back much which would have enhanced, but nothing which, on being fully understood, could have cast a shade over the character of the late Bishop, and LAST COUNT PALATINE OF DURHAM. |