The New Hampshire Gazette

To the Printer.

Please to insert the following Observations in your Weekly Paper, being Matter of very great Importance, and in which all Persons are concerned without Exception.

It's hoped, notwithstanding it's of a Religious Nature, that it will be excused even by Precisians, though appearing in the public Prints, in which Way it may have a speedy universal Spread, and be of universal Advantage to Men; not merely in Things of a temporal Nature, such as the Comforts of this Life, the subduing our French Enemies, recovering their Fortresses and Lands, but be a Means, of everlasting Advantage to many, in a Kingdom that knows no War, and that cannot be moved by all the evil Powers of Earth and Hell.

That which gave Rise to these Observations was this: Ministers and People at this Time reaching at great Variance with Respect to Pastoral Visiting, the latter requiring it, and the former neglecting. Which (if there was Nothing else) has a threatening Aspect because Variance tends to root out Love, which is the Cement of Christianity.

The good Minister

In the first Place, he defines the Office of a Bishop. His Motives to his Work are the Glory of God and the good of Men. As he is in his Preaching, so he is in his Conversation heavenly. He very much insists on the Necessity of Regeneration, himself being born again. Repentance towards God, and Faith towards the Lord Jesus Christ are his chief Topicks, and the Foundation of all his other Preachings. He faithfully rebukes and reproves, as well as exhorts: Is like Micaiah and John Baptist, will follow the Direction of Heaven tho' Kings be offended. As a Watchman, he is always looking out to discover the Enemy Sin, and gives Warning accordingly: and reproves fashionable Sins, as well as those that are unfashionable. Is very careful to declare the whole Counsel of God, and Trembles at the Thought of being Partial in God's Law. His Heart is so full of the Fear of God, that there is scarce any Room for the Fear of Man: He is peculiarly careful and diligent to know the State of his particular Flock, in his Pastoral Visits. Is like his Master Jesus, after Preaching asks his Hearers if they understand and takes their Answer, and reasons with them about the Things of Heaven; knowing that temporal Things are Nothing in Comparison of those that are Spiritual and hence his Hearers rationally conclude he is in Earnest. In his Sermon Days has these Words always sounding in his Ears, lovest thou Me, lovest thou Me, with the Charge Feed My Sheep, feed My Lambs. He greatly delights in his Work of building up his Kingdom, enlightening Souls from Darkness, had he no Wages, and
any temporal Reward for his Labour, he would not leave the Service: And knowing that it is his Place to go before his Flock in all good Example, he is very careful not to conform to this World, in its vain Customs and Fashions.

The bad MINISTER.

He desires the Office of a Minister also, but then from quite different Motives. His chiefest Concern is to agree for a good Salary, and to have it secured for Life. His Conversation is almost altogether about the Things of this World. Seldom contends with his People about any of their Sins, unless it be for Slackness in paying his Salary: Rarely does any Thing but exhort in public, and if he does happen to reprove any Sin, it is that which is unfashionable. It's true, he does preach up some Points of Religion in his Sermons in a general Way very well on Sabbath Days, but then preaches it almost all down again in his Conversation on Week Days. -- He also preaches up some particular fashionable Duties very well -- Here Satan has his chief Advantage, because by neglecting others, he secures them faster in his Interest than tho' he did nothing. It's like Death to him publickly to reprove public Sins, especially when his richest Parishioners are the Transgressors. -- In Time of general Corruption, he will receive Presents from the wickedest Men in his Parish without Fear of having his Eyes blinded thereby. He is one that loves his Ease, and to fare sumptuously every Day, and will sooner quit the Ministry, or hazard his being ousted, than endure the Service and Hardships the Prophets and Apostles went through. -- Is anxious to know the temporal State of the Nation, which in its Place is well enough, but is not diligent to know the spiritual State of his own particular Flock, by proper Methods of Enquiry -- Seldom if ever disturbs the Peace of moderate Men: and is very fond of making Way a Heaven very broad for himself and them to pass on in. -- Notwithstanding these great Defects, he tells his People that he must have a full Salary, and live off handsomely, or the Ministry will fall into Contempt: but does not see that his own Laziness, Greediness and Unfaithfulness tends to make Men abhor the Offerings of the Lord. While I take Notice of the great Delinquency of the Clergy, I would not be understood, as though there were not as great Defects in the Laity; all which, when duly considered and weighed, gives us Reason to fear that our late Prosperity in War, will eventually prove a Means of our Destruction. Our Danger at this Time is the greater, because so far as we can perceive, People generally are ready to conclude, that our Successes argues Virtue. Does not every one, that has his Eyes half open, and is willing to look round him, take Notice what a Laodicean Temper prevails in every Order of Men; spiritual and eternal Things treated as though they were temporal; and temporal Things treated as though they were eternal. Let us take up all as one, in our various Stations, our Peril to be slothful, while we have so much to do for God: And let us be not dismayed at fighting against the Powers of Darkness, for taking the Kingdom of Heaven by Violence, as Wolfe was in taking Quebec, &c. Did he fight zealously for a Crown, never to be worn by himself, shall not we fight for a Crown of Glory that fadeth not away, which we our selves shall wear, if we are Victors.

Portsmouth, Sept. 1761.