OF THE

LEARNED AND REVEREND

JOHN SCOTT, D. D.

SOMETIME RECTOR OF ST. GILES'S IN THE FIELDS.

A NEW EDITION, IN SIX VOLUMES.

VOL. I.

OXFORD,

AT THE CLARENDON PRESS.

MDCCCXXVI.

Clar. Press

/ c.41.

TO THE

RIGHT HONOURABLE

AND

RIGHT REVEREND FATHER IN GOD,

HENRY,

LORD BISHOP OF LONDON,

AND ONE OF HIS MAJESTY'S MOST HONOURABLE PRIVYCOUNCIL, &c.

MY LORD,

THAT I presume to lay these papers at your Lordship's feet, is not because I imagine they deserve, but because I am conscious they need so great a patronage. Not but that, were the discourses they contain as great and meritorious as their argument, they might safely shelter themselves under their own deserts, and challenge homage, instead of begging protection: but, though I have done my best endeavour to treat this great theme suitably to its own native majesty, yet I am very sensible it hath not escaped the too common fate of all such sublime and excellent subjects, which is, to be fouled and sullied by coarse handling. But my lot falling in this unhappy age, wherein the best church and re

ligion in the world are in such apparent danger of being crucified, like their blessed Author, between those two thieves, (and both, alas! impenitent ones,) superstition and enthusiasm, I thought myself obliged not to sit still, as an unconcerned spectator of the tragedy, but in my little sphere, and according to my poor ability, to endeavour its prevention and considering that the most effectual means the Romanists have used to subvert this church, which they so much envy, and all the reformations do so much admire and depend on, hath been to divide her own children from her, and arm them against her, by starting new opinions among them, and engaging their zeal (which was wont to be employed to better purposes) in hot disputes about the modes and circumstances of her worship: I thought a discourse of the Christian life, which is the proper sphere of Christian zeal, might be a good expedient to take men off from those dangerous contentions which were kindled, and are fed and blown, by such as design our common ruin. For sure, did our people throughly understand what it is to be Christians indeed, and how much duty that implies, they could never find so much leisure as they do to quarrel and wrangle about trifles.

This, my Lord, is the sincere design of what I here present to your Lordship; and, however it may succeed, I have this satisfaction, that I meant well, and have expressed my good-will to this poor envied

church, whose truly primitive constitution, pure and undefiled religion, I shall always admire and reverence; and, whatsoever her fate may be, I am chained to her fortunes by my reason and conscience, and shall ever esteem it more eligible to be crushed by her fall, which God avert, than to flourish and triumph on her ruins.

But among the many ill omens that threaten our church, there is one which seems to presage its prosperity; and that is, that such eminent stations in it, as your Lordship's, are so excellently supplied. For although whether the part you are designed for, be to grace her triumphs or her funeral, is known only to the sovereign Disposer of events; yet this, my Lord, all that wish well to our church conclude, that God bestowed you upon her as a token of love : for which they have sufficient warrant, even from the daily experience they have of the prudence and vigilance of your government; the piety, integrity, and generosity of your temper; of your invincible loyalty to your prince; your undaunted zeal for the reformed religion; and your grave and obliging deportment towards all you converse with. I shall trouble your Lordship no further, but conclude this address with that which I am sure is the hearty prayer of all your honest clergy, That the God of heaven would long continue your Lordship a blessing to the church and to this diocese, an honour to your sacred order and the noble stock you descend from: and if what