482

of domestic life, they found in their bishop a counsellor and alions. It is prefaced by an admirable address to the clergy friend. He mentions in his private memoranda his intention on the duty of studying the Scriptures, the necessity of perof visiting the family of one of his clergy, in which he under-sonal religion, of diligence in opposing error and vice, and of stood some unhappy disagreements prevailed, and his resolu- privately teaching and admonishing the people. This work tion to endeavour to heal the domestic breach, and restore was written in the year 1708, but not printed for many years peace and harmony. This minute attention to the personal after. The bishop, however, circulated it by means of tranand domestic comforts of his clergy marks an interest in their scribed copies; and this circumstance may explain the purwelfare truly paternal. He distinguished with peculiar re-port of the following letter which a descendant of the clergygard those of them who were faithful in the discharge of man to whom it was written has permitted us to copy from their duty, admitted them to all the familiarities of the most the curious and highly interesting original manuscript. intimate friendship, and felt high delight in their society.

Some of them, who have within these few years been re-" For the Reverend Mr. Crebbin, Vicar of Kk St Anne. "Mr. Crebbin, June 7th, 1737. moved from this imperfect state, were accustomed to speak "I send you the paper you desire, you will be careful to of the venerable bishop in the glowing language of gratitude and affection; and with a kind of holy rapture to recount his return it in 14 days at farthest. I have given Copys to most virtues and enumerate his charities. His name was no sooner of the Elder Clergy. It is worth a pastor's while to look mentioned than the countenance began to brighten, the recol-over it, if it were but to pick out what he may think convelection of past days to revive, the voice to assume a softer nient to the Instruction of his Flock, for such purpose it was tone, and narrative old age" to relate a thousand acts of drawn up 30 yeares agoe, & I am now solicited to print it wth several othr little papers relating to the Dutys of a Parobeneficence and piety associated with that name. "The mention of bishop Wilson was sure to introduce an chial Minister, and pray God it may answr ye end. "I am yor Friend & BrothTM, interesting and useful conversation, to bring to recollection "THO. SODOR & MAN." some pious remark which he had uttered, some labour of love which he had performed, or some important advice Before we pass on to other matters, we will make one which he had given. No wonder that his clergy should have felt such an attachment to his person, and have retained such more extract from Mr. Stowell's work. "The clergy rea veneration for his memory. Their obligations to him were garded him as their father and their friend. Some of them, whose conduct constrained him to exercise a degree of necesnumerous and powerful. "From the time they first disclosed their intention of de-sary severity towards them, were so fully persuaded of the voting themselves to the service of the sanctuary, he formed purity of his motives and the kindness of his intentions, that a connexion with them somewhat similar to that which sub- they felt no sensation of resentment, but through life retained He watched over their unbounded respect for his memory, and ever spoke of him sisted between Eli and Samuel. At the expiration of conduct, (and enjoined those who should sign their testimo- with the highest gratitude and esteem. nials to be watchful over them,) he guided their studies, and nearly half a century after his decease, aged ministers have directed their pursuits. For a year before their entrance on been heard to recount the virtues of bishop Wilson with tears the holy ministry, he took them to reside in his family, that of affection trembling in their eyes. The memories of the they might be continually under his inspection and have the descendants of the last race of clergymen in the Isle of Man benefit of his daily instructions. This invaluable privilege are deeply impressed with the good report which they have tended to form the young candidates to genuine piety and heard from their fathers of this reverend prelate, and to the extensive usefulness. They had the advantage of a pious latest posterity his deeds of charity shall be told for a memoand enlightened instructor to assist them in the hourly prose- rial of him." cution of their studies, to elucidate what was obscure, to ex

Jesus.

In the year 1707, the universities of Oxford and Cambridge pound what was difficult, and to enforce what was important. honoured themselves by conferring on bishop Wilson the He took particular pains to bring the young students to an degree of doctor of divinity. And about the same time he accurate and distinct knowledge of the Greek Testament. became a member of the venerable Society for Promoting They every day read a portion of it to him, and heard his Christian Knowledge. In 1710 business called him to England, and as all vessels remarks and observations on the passage read. He recommended to their perusal the best writers in divinity, conversed from the Isle of Man were for some reason required, just at with them on the subject of personal religion, and both by that time, to perform quarantine before entering any of the precept and example laboured earnestly to render them able ports in England, he crossed in an open boat to Scotland, and, landing at Kirkcudbright, was persuaded by the earl of ministers of the New Testament. "All their readings and studies were directed to this im- Galloway and some others to whom he was known, to visit portant end. His great desire was to form them after the Edinburgh, where his acquaintance was much sought after. model of primitive christianity, to lead them to read, mark, On his departure from that city, a great number of nobility, learn, and inwardly digest' the Holy Scriptures, to influence gentry, and clergy, conducted him nearly as far as Carlisle. In the following year we meet with similar tokens of his them to love and live the Gospel, and to follow the steps of prophets, apostles, confessors, and martyrs, and, above all, good name having extended itself through the towns and to have the same mind in them which was also in Christ villages of England. On his way to London, bearing a commission to make some arrangements relative to the excise, "A better school of divinity these candidates for the sacred the people crowded round him in the places through which office could scarcely have attended. The scriptural lessons he passed, testifying their deep respect, and asking for his which they were daily learning from their books they hourly blessing. Queen Anne was delighted to see him, desired beheld exemplified in the life of their revered instructor. him to preach before her, and called him the silver-tongued The work of faith, the labour of love, the patience of hope, bishop. She also offered to him an English bishopric, but were continually before their eyes. Every hour presented a he begged to be excused, saying that "with the blessing of comment on some lesson of christianity, or an illustration of God, he could do some good in the little spot that he then some christian grace and virtue. The conversation, the in-resided on; whereas, if he were removed into a larger sphere, he struction, the prayers, and the example, of this apostolical might be lost, and forget his duty to his flock and to his God." The feeling which influenced him in this case is more prelate were admirably calculated to form zealous and useful pastors. The students under his care enjoyed peculiar ad- fully declared in the Sacra Privata, in the following words: Without When men's labours are attended with tolerable success, vantages of a literary, moral, and religious nature. the formality of college lectures, the bishop was daily com- yet because either they can better their temporal condition, municating the substance of such lectures in a more attractive or think that a more public station would be more suitable to His table-talk was their great capacities, they leave their station for one more manner and a more engaging style. often as instructive as the professor's dissertation, and his full of dangers, without any prospect of being more serviceable to God, or to his church and the souls of men; not general conversation conveyed valuable lessons of piety."

Considering, as he once expressed it, "that the best men considering that this is the voice of pride, self-love, and have sometimes need of being stirred up, that they may not covetousness; and an evil example to others, to whom we lose a spirit of piety, which is but too apt to languish," he fre- do or should preach humility, as the very foundation of quently addressed his clergy in circular Letters and Charges, christianity. To leave a clergy and a people to whom one is many of which still remain to prove what an excellent and perfectly well known, to go to another to whom one is a stranger, and this for the sake of riches, which are supposed watchful friend and adviser they possessed in him.

For the same purpose he wrote a work entitled Parochialia; to have been renounced: this was unknown to the first ages or Instructions to the Clergy; a treatise full of useful suggest-of christianity."

1

Let this example not only excite the admiration of men, unity." The errors alleged against him bear so close an but moderate their ambitious desires, and infuse into their affinity to those which bishop Wilson reprobates in one of his hearts a like spirit of contentedness and self-denial! charges, as being disseminated by a book intitled the Inde

It may seem strange to say, that during the greater part of pendent Whig, at that time diligently circulated by the govthe life of this excellent man, corrupt principles and practice ernor and his party, that it seems natural to trace the sentiwere establishing themselves amongst the people whose af-ments of the chaplain to that source. fection he so largely possessed. Yet such was the case. In The instance of his open breach of discipline was one in his Charges, year after year, he deplores the increasing evi- which his name stands implicated with that of the governor's dences of forgetfulness of God: and a growing population, lady. The case is stated in nearly the following terms, by which exceeded 20,000 many years before his death, daily bishop Wilson, in a letter to the earl of Derby, the lord of the became more tainted with vice as they became more nume-island.

rous. He consequently speaks mournfully of the loss of their "The archdeacon having repulsed one Mrs. Puller from ancient reputation; a reputation not ill-deserved, since, in the sacrament, gave me notice thereof in order to an hearing; the early part of his residence amongst them, he had no lock amongst other reasons he gave for so doing, one was, that to his outer door, nor any other fastening than a latch. madam Horne, the governor's lady, had informed him that These sprinklings of tares amongst the wheat may be easily she had seen certain improprieties between sir James Poole attributed to the right quarter. Throughout his charges we and the said gentlewoman, which he thought a sufficient find him lamenting the effects of the great influx of strangers. reason for expelling her from the Lord's table, which he did "We are most unjustly reproached," he says, in his Charge without any previous admonition. of 1724,"for being enemies to strangers. I wish to God we "Sir James and the gentlewoman complaining of this as a had been more enemies to such of them as have from time to grievous slander, demanded of us power to charge the archtime corrupted our manners and our principles, and afterwards deacon to make it good, or to suffer as a slanderer. The archraised an evil report upon the whole community, for the vices deacon, to free himself, brought madam Horne, who owned of those whom they themselves have corrupted." herself to be the author of the information; and having no From other sources we learn that these strangers were per- evidence to support the charge, and also refusing to declare sons who made the island their residence in order to carry on how the matter was, (unless she might do it upon oath, which more securely a lucrative contraband trade. It had nothing the law did not admit of, in regard she could not be both acelse to tempt them, for neither were there any manufactures, cuser and witness), sir James and the gentlewoman demanded nor a surplus produce from the soil, nor were the people rich the benefit of the law, which was to clear themselves upon enough to give encouragement to speculators by making large oath; which they did, after a very solemn manner, with lawful purchases of imported goods. But, from its central position, compurgators, and then petitioned for reparation for such an it became the grand resort and warehouse of smugglers, who unjust reproach cast upon them. This we could not in justice shipped off their goods, as occasion offered, to England, deny, and therefore madam Horne was only to ask their forScotland and Ireland. To adopt the words of Mr. Britton, in giveness for the slander, and that under such penalties as the his Beauties of England and Wales-" Merchants from various law directs.

countries flourished in every town; and the expression of the "This, my lord, is plain matter of fact: and were we to die traveller, that the whole isle was become a horde of smug- for it, we could not have done otherwise, if we resolved to glers, was hardly too strong to characterize the number of its act agreeably to the law, our oaths and duty." It was even inhabitants who were engaged in the different branches of its proposed as a sufficient compensation, that she should acillicit traffic." He further says, that "the insular revenue of knowledge her offence "privately, before the vicar of the the lord was considerably augmented by the clandestine com- parish, asking forgiveness for the great injury done." merce of his people." Captain Horne, however, was probably pleased at having It appears that these elements of demoralization were not an opportunity of resisting the ecclesiastical law, as well as introduced into the "little quiet nation" for some time after piqued at the injury done to his consequence by this treatment bishop Wilson's arrival there. But in a few years the smug- of his wife. She therefore refused to make an apology, and glers carried on their transactions to so great an extent as the consequence was, that sentence was promulgated, excludmaterially to affect the British revenues, and to bring the ing her from the holy communion till reparation should te subject before parliament at different times subsequently to made. Notwithstanding this, the archdeacon administered the year 1726. the sacrament to her as before; and the bishop, feeling that Another source of grief and discouragement to the bishop to omit punishing this offence was virtually to annul the law was the want of countenance and support from the chief civil and to neglect his duty, suspended the offender. power, which he latterly had reason to complain of. His The archdeacon was highly indignant at this treatment, but, good friend and patron, the earl of Derby, his pupil's father, instead of applying to the archbishop of York, who was the died in 1702; and neither his brother James, the tenth earl, proper judge to appeal to in such a case, he made his appeal who succeeded him, nor the officers whom he brought into the to his friend the governor, who, under pretence that the bishop island, appear to have entertained that respect and regard for had exercised powers not entrusted to him by the law, fined the bishop which were so generally conceded. But, whatever him fifty pounds, and his two vicars-general (who had been might be the cause, it is certain that the civil authorities bore officially concerned in the suspension), twenty pounds each. considerable animosity towards the ecclesiastical jurisdiction, This fine they all refused to pay, as an illegal demand, upon and took occasion to show it by the unjust exercise of power. which the governor sent a party of soldiers, and on the 29th In one case the governor prevented the execution of a sentence of June, 1722, the bishop, Dr. Walker and Mr. Curghay, were of the spiritual court; he also oppressed a clergyman by im- arrested and conveyed to the prison of castle Rushin, where posing an illegal fine and imprisonment. And so manifest they were kept closely confined for nine weeks, no persons bewas the intention of undermining and subverting the estab-ing admitted within the walls to see or converse with them. lished regulations of the church, that it was necessary either An universal sentiment of indignation possessed the people to annul them altogether, or to bring matters to an issue. when they heard of the imprisonment of their pastor and friend. The bishop resolved to abide by the existing laws, and still They assembled in crowds, and their first impulse was to pull continued to enforce them with his usual temper and mildness, down the house of the governor. Bishop Wilson was perand without any regard to the personal inconvenience or hos-mitted to address them from the prison-walls, and he besought tility to which he might be subjected in the performance of them to use violence to no man, at the same time assuring his duty. them that he meant to "appeal to Cæsar," meaning the king; In 1722, a case occurred which brought him in direct col- and that he did not doubt that his majesty would give him lision with captain Horne, the governor of the island. redress, if he was unworthy of those bonds. With this the Archdeacon Horrobin was chaplain to the governor; he people were restrained from violence, but daily, during his appears to have been tainted with some serious errors of a imprisonment, they showed their affectionate sense of his socinian character, and to have held his ecclesiastical supe- goodness and kindness, by assembling in crowds round the

riors in no great respect, being desirous of setting aside the walls which confined him and his brethren.

constitutions, and not scrupling to act in direct disobedience As a further means of pacifying and comforting the people, to them. Bishop Wilson charges him with "having deliv- he sent a circular letter to his clergy, three days after his ered several things from the pulpit not agreeable to truth and commitment, and directed it to be read publicly in the churches sound doctrine; and, by an obstinate defence of them, after throughout the island. This letter was as follows:

he was seriously admonished to forbear giving offence, hav

ing done what in him lay to involve in endless disputes a

"MY BRETHREN,-Though our persons are confined to this

church, which at his coming he found in perfect peace and place, yet our affection for you, and our concern for the flock

over which the Holy Ghost hath made us overseers, and our injury he had undergone, but sincerely and fully forgave his prayers for both, are at full liberty. And we doubt not but persecutor.

our authority, in matters spiritual at least, will be obeyed by During his confinement in castle Rushin, the magistrates, you and by all such as fear God, for our great Master's sake, officially assembled, forwarded an address to the bishop and who has promised to be with us always, even unto the end of the other ecclesiastical judges, in which they paid this testithe world. mony to their merits on the only point on which bishop Wil

"I desire, therefore, and require of every one of you, that you son had ever been called in question. "As to the charge of make regular presentments to my registrar of all unquiet, dis- exercising a spiritual tyranny, we do solemly testify, (as we obedient and criminous persons within your several parishes, are in duty bound,) that there is no cause to us known for so that we may correct and punish them according to such strange an imputation; being verily persuaded that you have authority as we have by God's word. been so far from assuming to yourselves any undue authority,

"I beg that you will be more than ordinarily diligent in that the church was never better governed than in your time, discharging the several duties of your sacred calling; this nor justice more impartially administered in the ecclesiastical will be the best testimony of your affection for us. And I courts of this isle."

beseech you, let no unworthy thoughts enter your hearts, When this affair was concluded, the king offered him the nor unbecoming words come out of your mouths, against those bishopric of Exeter, which he declined to accept. His mathat have given us this trouble. jesty then promised to defray the expenses out of the privy "If we suffer for righteousness' sake, that is, for doing our purse, but, dying soon after, the promise was never fulduty, it will turn very much to our account. And if we have filled.

been mistaken in any thing, there are proper judges superior What became of archdeacon Horrobin is not mentioned by to us all, who will be able to clear up these difficulties, to the the biographers of bishop Wilson. We are only informed satisfaction of all good men and lovers of peace. that he presented a petition to the bishop for the removal of

"And that none of your people may transgress the bounds his suspension; to which an answer was given, that it could of duty and obedience to the civil magistrate, (who is God's only be done when he should acknowledge the legality of the minister in temporal matters, as we are in spirituals), and so sentence which had been passed upon him, and "promise for come to suffer as evil doers, I pray you communicate this the future to avoid giving any occasion of disturbing the letter and my hearty desires to whom you shall think fit, that peace and unity of the church; and this with a sincerity bethey may be convinced that neither they nor we have any coming a Christian, and in terms bespeaking a real convicreason to be uneasy at what has befallen us. tion."

"And if to this you afford us your daily prayers, which, as The affliction of their beloved friend and bishop appears to your bishop, I require, that we may both perceive and know have soften and improved the hearts of the people. He alwhat things we ought to do, and also have grace and power ways used to say, "that he never governed his diocese so faithfully to fulfil the same; that this church may be always well as when he was in prison; and, for his own share, if he ordered and guided by faithful and true pastors, such as may could have borne the confinement consistently with his health, constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently he would have been content to have abode there all his life suffer for righteousness' sake; you will then do what becomes for the good of his flock, who were then more pious and deworthy sons of a father and bishop, who every day of his life vout than at any other time." remembers you at the throne of grace. "2d Julii, 1722.

THO. SODOR AND MAN."

It must be obvious to every reader, that the bishop of that diocese could not have acted otherwise in this case, consistently with the law. But it will also have been observed, In the same spirit of submission to the will of God in that the bishop was really disposed to maintain a somewhat chastening him, the following entry was found in his diary: strict ecclesiastical discipline as a means of promoting purity St. Peter's Day, 1722. I and my two vicars-general were in the church; and, therefore, in order that his character may fined ninety pounds, and imprisoned in castle Rushin, for not be misunderstood, we shall subjoin in a note to this censuring and refusing to take off the censure of certain of-chapter a few extracts from his writings, in which his sentifenders: which punishmeut and contempt I desire to receive ments on the subject are plainly set forth. from God as a means of humbling me.'

Note-Containing some passages from the writings of bishop Wilson, in which he speaks of Church-government and of the office of a bishop.

"The duties of a bishop, by the laws of God, and the church are:

The bishop and his two friends, finding that there was no prospect of the governor's relenting, were advised to pay the fines, and then appeal to the king in council; and accordingly, after a close confinement of two months, they were released on the 31st of August. The day of their liberation was a day of general joy. Old and young, rich and poor, assembled from all parts of the island, and formed such a procession as had never before been witnessed. The populace wished to "To intrust the people committed to his charge out of the spread their clothes under the bishop's feet, and when he Holy Scriptures, and to teach or maintain no doctrine but refused to accept this demonstration of their regard, they what may be proved from thence. Sunday. [This little strewed his path with flowers. The road leading from Cas-sketch of episcopal duties is probably thus marked out as tletown to Bishop's-court, for more than three miles was furnishing to him daily matter for reflection and self-examinathronged with persons on foot and horseback; and, for want tion.] of better music, multitudes had provided themselves with pipes of elder-wood. A bonfire at Kirk-Michael added to these testimonies of love and joy.

His cause was fairly investigated and tried before the king in council, who, on the 4th of July, 1724, issued an order, declaring that the judgments or sentences given by the governor and his officers "be reversed and set aside, in regard they had no jurisdiction," and that the fines be returned."

"To exercise himself in these Holy Scriptures; to call upon God for the true understanding of the same. Monday. "To use all faithful diligence in driving away all doctrines contrary to God's word, and to encourage others to do so. Tuesday.

"To deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live a sober, righteous, and godly life, so as to be an example unto others. Wednesday.

This affair entailed upon bishop Wilson considerable per- "To maintain and set forward, as much as may be, quietsonal injury. The comfortable habitations called prisons in ness, love, and peace among all men; and to correct and England, are far different from the place of his confinement; punish the unruly, criminous, and disobedient, as far as God's it was a cold and damp cell; and he contracted then a disor-word and the laws of the land do require and will warrant. der in his right hand, which deprived him of the free use of Thursday. his fingers, in consequence of which he was obliged ever To be faithful in ordaining, sending, or laying hands upon after, when he wrote, to grasp the pen with his whole hand. others. Friday. The expense also, incurred in bringing this case of oppress- "To be gentle and merciful for Christ's sake, to poor and ion before the privy council, was seriously felt by the bish- needy people, and to all strangers destitute of help. Saturop; and though a considerable subscription was raised in day." Sacra Privata.

England to defray it, yet still there remained heavy claims "If ever church discipline were necessary, it is certainly so upon his small purse. His solicitor, indeed, advised him to now, when not only evil practices (which have ever, God prosecute the governor in the English courts of law, to re- knows, been too rife), but evil books and evil notions (not cover compensation for his great expense; but to this he would heard of before in this place), are become very common." not consent, declaring that having now established the disci-Charge, June 1720.

pline of the church, he felt no resentment for the personal "However church discipline may be weakened and des

pised in England, by reason of the schisms and heresies gentleman who traced his descent by a direct line from a which abound there, yet here, God be praised, it is not so; brother of the devout bishop William of Wainfleet, the muniwe have power and authority both from God and the laws, to ficent founder of Magdalen College, at Oxford, and whose rebuke gainsayers; and, while we are unanimous and faithful family had long resided at Warrington, a town not very far in the discharge of our duty, we may hope that our people from the parish of Winwick, in which bishop Wilson had will not be corrupted with novel opinions. Now the most ef- passed so many years of his ministry. Before taking so imfectual way to prevent this will be, for all of us, that are ap-portant a step he did not fail to implore the guidance and pointed to watch over the flock of Christ, to employ our blessing of God, which he felt to be essential to his happiness thoughts, our zeal, and our time, in promoting of true piety; in every condition of life. "Make her," he prayed, "whom ' in labouring to make men good; and in converting sinners Thou wilt make my wife a meet help for me, that we may from the error of their ways, that we may preserve the power live together to thy honour and glory in this world, and be as well as the form of godliness." Charge, 1720. made partakers of everlasting glory in the world to come." "We knew very well the sin and danger of a rash excom- Another prayer composed for their daily use was also found munication."―Then after stating that he, with the presbyters amongst his papers, and it is here subjoined because it shows the spirit and temper in which they wished to live together.

"T.

of his diocese, being called together, "according to primitive usage," had patiently heard the whole case of the archdeacon, and weighed well the nature and value of the evidence, he "M. Wilson. To be said every morning together, beproceeds: "it was then, and not till then, you know, that we S fore we stir abroad. proceeded to the last sentence, after the most solemn appeal "O God, by whose favour and providence we are made one to God, and invocation of his holy name and aid. So that it flesh, look mercifully upon us from heaven, and bless us, and must be very rash and great uncharitableness in any body to make us instrumental to the eternal welfare of each other. judge of our proceedings by hearsay; as if he had forgotten "Give us grace that we may faithfully perform our marthe apostle's rule, which yet at that very time we had before riage vows, that we may live in perfect love and peace tous, To do nothing by partiality." Charge, 1720. gether, in a conscientious obedience to thy laws, and in a "Prudence is very necessary in dangerous times; it being comfortable prospect of happiness all our days. Grant, if it no small fault to give occasion to the raising of storms against be thy gracious will, that we may live to see our children the church and her ministers, for want of having a due regard christianly and virtuously brought up; or if in thy wisdom to the times and to the passions of carnal men.' Sacra Pri- thou shalt order it otherwise, be pleased in mercy to provide for their everlasting happiness. In the mean time, give us "Every Christian, when he is baptized, is admitted into grace that we may teach them, and our household, the fear the church upon a most solemn promise to live as a Christian of God, and be examples to them of piety and true religion. ought to do; if he does not do so, those very ministers who Continue to us such a share of the good things of this world admitted him are bound to exhort, to rebuke, and to censure as to Thee seems most meet for us; and whatever our condihim and if these methods will not do, to excommunicate him; tion shall be, enable us to be content and thankful. Vouchthat is, to cut him off from the body of Christ and from God's safe us a share in the happiness of the next life: and thy favour and mercy. Not that he may be lost forever, but that blessed will be done for what shall happen to us in this. he may see his sad condition, and repent and be saved.”— "Hear us, O God, for Jesus Christ his sake, the Son of Form of Excommunication. thy love. Amen, Amen."

vata.

"Let us take care that we use this authority, as the apostle directs, for edification and not for destruction." Ib.

"It is a part of that ministry which we have received by the imposition of hands, and which we most humbly pray God to enable us to exercise to his glory, to the putting a stop to the growing vices of the age, and to the edification of the church of Christ, which he hath purchased with his blood. Amen." Ib.

Mrs. Wilson proved to be a most worthy and suitable companion for this excellent man, being, according to his own description, endued with great modesty and meekness of spirit, remarkable for the discharge of her duty to her parents, and for her love to her relations; he praises God for her great love to him and his friends, for her fidelity to her marriage vows, for her tender affection to her children, for her performance of all the offices of a kind and pious mother, for her "If God be satisfied with a pastor, it is of little importance peculiar care of her family, and the prudence and mildness whether he please or displease men. Sacra Privata. with which she governed it; for her unaffected modesty in "They whose duty it is to punish offenders should take her own and her children's apparel, and the great humility of great care not to be influenced by pride, hypocrisy, passion, her conversation with all sorts of persons; for her great comfalse zeal or malice; but to punish with reluctancy and com- passion for the poor and miserable, and her cheerful complipassion, as having a sense of their own misery and weakness, ance with him in relieving them. which perhaps render them more guilty in the sight of God." Sacra Privata.

"Excommunication is only for the contumacious; not to insult but to cure." Ib.

Unfortunately, however, very few notices of Mrs. Wilson have been preserved, and this sketch of her character is taken from one of her husband's prayers composed at the time of her death. "The public good is the sole end of church discipline. The Their children were four in number. Amongst the special interest of the governors of the church is no way concerned favours which he recounts in the Private Thoughts, is the in it, but only the advantage of their flock. That sinners may having "an excellent wife, and four lovely children." be converted: that contagion may be hindered from spread- The following memorandum, addressed to his children, ing; that every one may be kept to his duty, and in obedience was found amongst his papers: "My children, if I do not to the laws of God; that judgments may be averted from the live to tell you why I have saved no more for you out of my public: and that God in all things may be glorified that bishopric, let this satisfy you: that the less you have of goods differences among neighbours may be made up, and charity gathered from the Church, the better the rest that I leave you improved." Ib.

CHAPTER III.

His Domestic Character.

will prosper. Church-livings were never designed to make families, or to raise portions out of them, but to maintain our families, to keep up hospitality, to feed the poor, &c. And one day you will be glad that this was my settled opinion: and God grant I may act accordingly!.....I never expect, and I thank God I never desire, that you or your children should ever be great: but if ever the providence of God should raise any that proceed from my loins to any degree of worldly wealth or honour, I desire they will look back to the place "The parson is very exact in the governing of his house, making and person from whence they came; this will keep them humit a copy and model for his parish. Herbert. ble and sober-minded." “Grant, O Lord, that my care and conduct in the church of God, How soon is the brightest sky overcast with clouds! Two may appear in the order and piety of my own family. O Heavenly of his children died in infancy. They were taken away, inLord and Master, bless us, and take us under thy gracious protec-deed, from the evil to come, and redeemed by that Saviour tion; and make us an household fearing God, and examples to others whom they did not live to know upon earth: but still such of order, diligence, faithfulness, and piety." Bishop Wilson.

separations are never joyous, but grievous. Another child was removed in her fourteenth year. And previously to this A few months after his appointment to the see of Man, latter loss, Mrs. Wilson herself was parted by death from bishop Wilson returned to England for the purpose of being her afflicted husband, on the 7th of March 1705, not seven married to Mary, the daughter of Thomas Patten, Esq., a years after their marriage. On the 5th of the preceding Sep

tember he had accompanied her to Warrington, for the benefit therefore hold my peace and not open my mouth, because it of her native air, which, it was hoped, would prove of service is thy doing, and my deservings.

to her then declining health: and he continued with her, pray- O Lord give me, I most humbly beseech Thee of Thy great ing for her and comforting her, till the day when she resigned mercy, true repentance for all the errors of my life past, and her soul, full of the hope of a blessed immortality, into the especially for those which may have been the occasion of hands of her heavenly Father. Some of his reflections and this day's sorrows.

prayers on this trying occasion will be read with interest, as they throw a light upon the character of both of them.

HIS PRAYER IN HIS WIFE'S SICKNESS.

"Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every

son whom he receiveth."-Heb. xii. 6.

O Lord, infinitely merciful, thy very corrections are the effect of thy love: therefore do thy faithful servants rejoice in the midst of their sorrows, steadfastly believing that all things shall work together for good to those that love God and trust in his mercy.

"God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not." Job xxxiii. 14.

I acknowledge thy voice, O merciful God: I acknowledge also my own transgressions, and thy great goodness in afflicting me: I do in all humility accept of the punishment of mine iniquity, and do ascribe it to thy grace that even now I have perceived it to be thy voice.

"We are verily guilty concerning our brother."-Gen. xlii. 21. Blessed be God that my punishment is not as great as my For thou, O Lord, dost convince us, by the afflictions that crimes, which have deserved thy severest stroke; for I am thou bringest upon us, that nothing deserves our love but verily guilty of many, very many grievous sins; the follies of Thee, that no being in heaven or on earth can help us besides youth, the wilful presumptuous sins of my riper years, the breach of the vows that are upon me. Thee; and that the sufferings of this life are not to be compared with the happiness of the next.

This is our faith and confidence, that every good gift cometh from above; and that our sorrow for our offences, our desires of being reconciled unto Thee, our purposes of amendment, are all the fruits of thy Holy Spirit, which does nothing in vain; and which, if we resist not thy grace, will form our souls for the happiness of a better life.

O that thy grace, which has wrought this sense and sorrow in my soul, may perfect the good work until I have obtained thy pardon, and be confirmed in every good word and work, till thou art pleased to call me hence.

Good God of mercy, give me grace that I may never again provoke Thee to repeat this voice; but that I may faithfully perform the vows that are upon me; that I may work out my Gracious God, let it so happen unto this thy servant, visited salvation with fear and trembling; knowing that though the with thine hand, that she may take her sickness patiently; Lord is long-suffering to them that fear him, yet he is a conand, with a perfect submission to thy will, bear whatever suming fire to the obstinate and hardened sinner. For Jesus Christ his sake, who by his merits has purchaThou shalt be pleased to lay upon her; that the sickness of sed pardon and grace for penitent sinners, hear me, answer her body may contribute to the health of her soul; and that, being made perfect through suffering, she may be owned by me, and let thy merciful kindness be my comfort according to thy word unto thy servant. Amen. her blessed Saviour, who through affiictions entered into glory. Give her grace that she may know wherein she has offended Thee, that she may truly repent of all the errors of her " life past. And do Thou, O merciful God, for the sake of Jesus Christ, accept of her repentance, and be reconciled to her, who has no hope but in thy great mercy, that she may not suffer the pains of sickness without the comforts of grace and the hopes of being beloved by Thee.

MEDITATIONS.

By the sadness of the countenance, the heart is made better.”

-Eccles. vii. 3.

How good is God, when by his very displeasure we are gainers! He is pleased to exercise me with the loss of my dear wife, an excellent woman, in the very bloom of her years, in the very midst of our satisfactions; and yet upon a Grant, O Lord, that her faith in thy sight may never be just account I have no reason to complain or to fret against reproved, but that she may steadfastly believe the great truths God, since I have a comfortable assurance (through the merits of the Gospel, the promise of pardon and grace to penitent of Christ,) that she is at rest, and secure under the custody sinners, the promise of eternal life to those that die in the true of the blessed angels until the great day of recompense. And faith and fear of God, that Jesus Christ is the resurrection for myself, though I want hers, yet I do not want the comand the life, that whosoever believeth in Him, though he were fort of God's Holy Spirit, whose influence I feel in the cheerdead, yet shall he live. Increase this knowledge and confirm ful submission of my will to the will of God, in the sorrow this faith in thy servant, that she may be numbered amongst for my offences which this affliction has wrought in me, in thy saints in glory everlasting. purposes of amendment, and in an earnest desire of living so circumspectly in this world, that in the next we may meet in joy in the bosom of Jesus, when we shall never part, never sorrow more. Even so, blessed Jesus, so let it be!

Pour into her heart such love towards thee, that she may love Thee above all things, obey thy commands, and submit to thy wise dispensations; that she may for thy sake love all mankind, forgive all that have injured her, and desire to be forgiven of all those whom she may have offended in thought, word, or deed.

But though I find my passions, under this affliction, much subdued, my heart tender and capable of receiving good impressions, my soul full of holy purposes, my breast warmed Thy loving kindness, O Lord, is better than life itself. O, with charity and a tender love for the whole creation of God; satisfy her with thy mercy, that she may with a willing mind yet I know that the heart is deceitful above all things; and give up that breath which she received from Thee; that, therefore lest these good effects should soon be forgotten, let when she shall depart this life, she may rest in Jesus Christ; me set down a few memorandums of what now passes within and that, at the general resurrection at the last day, she may my breast. Let me often remember, that when I saw that death be found acceptable in thy sight, and receive that blessing had closed my dearest consort's eyes, and that there was no which thy well-beloved Son shall then pronounce to all that more to be done for her eternal welfare, how many sad thoughts love and fear Thee, saying, "Come, ye blessed children of possessed my heart. my Father, receive the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."

Grant this, we beseech Thee, O heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ our Mediator and Redeemer. Amen, Amen.

PRAYER ON THE DEATH OF HIS WIFE.

I then with an angry sorrow reflected,-How many opportunities have I lost of doing my duty and promoting her happiness, (for sure there are degrees of bliss), which had I conscientiously performed, would now have been matter of solid comfort to me! For though, by the mercy of God in Jesus Christ, which is not confined to our imperfect endeavours and

"When thou with rebukes dost chasten man for sin, thou ma-assistance, my dear wife is, I doubt not, in peace; having, kest his beauty to consume away like a moth."-Psalm

xxxix. 11.

according to the allowances made by a merciful God to human frailty, led a pious, unblameable, useful life, yet I cannot but condemn myself for having neglected many things which would have been exceeding comfortable to her when alive, and to me now she is dead; which the gracious Ged

O, merciful God, who in thy wise providence dost so order even natural events, that they serve both for the good of the universe and for the conviction of particular sinners, so that forgive me! men shall have reason to acknowledge thy glorious attributes, She needs not my sorrow now, nor my assistance; but I do with great sorrow of heart, but with all submission to since I am still in the body, and still subject to failings, let thy good pleasure, confess thy mercy as well as justice to this consideration make me wiser for the time to come, for me, in the afflictions and chastisements of this day. I will this will sooner or later be my own case; I must come to die;