ligion it felf from the Infults now made upon it by Blafphemous Tongues, and Pens, with equal Boldness and Impunity.

Thefe, MY LORD, are the Expectations with which the best Men are now entertaining themselves, and which You are haftning to make good. The Actions of the paft Years of Your Life, are a fure Earnest and Pledge of what thofe to come will produce; and the bright Example You have fet long ago to Your Self, and to O thers, fhall grow brighter in Proportion to Your Power,

and Opportunities for the Path of the Juft is as the Shining Light, that shineth more and more unto a perfect Day.

The great Honours and Revenues, ftill annex'd to fome few Stations in the Church, are the chief Mark which Impiety, Envy, and Sacrilege aim at; and much they have to fay, why Religion fhould be stripp'd of thefe fuperfluous and unprofitable Ornaments. But Malice it felf is difarm'd, and all Objections are filenc'd, when thofe Rewards are beftow'd on Men, who by

their Birth, and Virtues, and Experience, are every way qualify'd for them; whofe Hereditary Fortunes, and Noble Natures, fet them above all mean Defigns of diverting the Patrimony of the Church to improper Ufes; and who are ready, therefore, to reflect back upon Religion the Advantages they derive from thence, and to abound in all the Offices of Hofpitality and Charity, in proportion to what they enjoy. I need not fay, how far thefe Excellent Qualities belong to Your LORDSHIP,

and

and are a confess'd part of Your Character.

When we compare the Good which You have done, MY LORD, with that which You have receiv'd, it brings to mind the Appofite Paffage of the Prophet: The Liberal devifeth Liberal things, and by Liberal things fhall he be eftablish'd. Your LORDSHIP, is an Illuftrious Inftance of this Truth; for the Bleffings, You have fo plentifully fcatter'd on thofe beneath You, have been multiply'd on Your own Head from above; and You have reap'd the Benefits

Benefits of a most generous and firm Friendship, in like manner as You fow'd them. You have given, my Lord, and it hath been given unto You; good Measure, preffed down, Shaken together, and running over for with the Same Meafure, which You meted withal, bath it been (and may it ever be) measured to you again.

Your Happiness, Mr LORD, is now as compleat as all the Profperous Ĉircumftances of Life can make it ; and Your Private Domestick Felicities (a Cafe rarely b known)