UPON A Christian Life; Or, NECESSARY DIRECTIONS FOR ITS Beginning and Progress UPON EARTH, In Order to its FINAL PERFECTION IN THE Beatifick VISION. PART II. By the Right Reverend Father in GOD, Written by him in his Riper Years, and Printed from his Original Manufcripts. LONDON, Printed for R. SMITH, in ExeterExchange in the Strand. MDCCXII. With Her Majefty's Royal Privilege. THE PREFACE T HE kind Reception which has been given to all the other Works of this incomparable Author, particularly to his Private Thoughts, written in his younger Years, has encouraged the Publishing of another Volume of his Thoughts, upon Subjects of the molt importance to the Chriftian Life, in all the chief Scenes of it; and thofe compos'd when Age and Experience in the Courfe of his Parochial Miniftry had taught him, what Directions were molt necef fary for the Conduct of every Difciple of Chrift, through all the Stages of that Race that is fet bes fore us, that he so run that he A 3 may may obtain. Accordingly the Reader is here furnish'd, not only with fuch Inftructions, as are most proper for the Entrance upon this Race, and the early Difcipline of those who are new lifted under Chrift's Banner; but also with fuch other Points both of Faith and Practice, as are moft fit to be afterwards inculcated and prefs'd upon them, for their fuccefsful carrying on of this Holy Warfare, and finishing their Courfe, fo as at last to attain the Crown of Righteoufnefs, laid up for all thofe that continue Christ's faithful Soldiers and Servants to their lives end. As in his Private Thoughts and Refolutions, this Excellent Bishop feems to have chiefly aim'd at fettling his own Principles, and regulating his Practice, as became a Follower of the Holy Jefus, and a Minister of his Gofpel: So in Thefe which are more Publick, he carries on the fame pious Defign with refpect to others, and Exe, cutes that Sacred Office, for which Thofe were to prepare him. In deed, great and indefatigable as his Labours were (for few ever labour'd more) the End of them was always the Salvation of Souls. And as that Spirit of Piety which runs through all his Writings, to gether with his plain, unaffected, familiar, and yet moft folid way of Argument and Perfwafion, are both admirably adapted to this great End: (to fay nothing of all his other daily and unwearied pains in the Miniftry while living) fo, through God's great Bleffing upon his Endeavours, they were then, and have been fince crowned with great Succefs; and it is the Hopes and Prayers of all good Men, that they may continue fo |