I had sincere and without dissimulation. rather be banished from the company of this deare person for ever, than wrong any one to gaine her.* No, rather let me beg my bread, than purchase any satisfaction at the expence of my innocence; the losse of which nothing can compensate. These are my serious and deliberate thoughts, resulting from a thorough conviction and sense of my duty. And now, O Father of Mercies, who by thy Holy Spirit enlightenest our darke understandings to discerne the waies of thy commandments, give me grace to live suitably to that knowledge thou hast given me; let me not only know thy will, but practise it; not only believe rightly, but act consonant to such beliefe; teach me to regulate my desires, and in all my affairs committ myselfe to thy care and disposal; make me patient and easy under all thy dispensations, and contented with every thing that befalls me; trusting in thy goodness, and relying on thy mercies, through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour and Redeemer. Amen." It has been said, that the Supreme Being, in surveying his works, cannot behold a more pleasing object of his contemplation than a good man strenuously conflicting with whatever rises to oppose him in his App. A, note 7. It is probable both from virtuous course. As a corollary to this as well as from the ge- thought it may be added, that as it is pro reason and revelation, neral opinion of man kind in all ages and bable both from reason and revelation, as nations, that superior in ferent spectators of the habitants of this lower orb. perfect, to look down telligences are not indif- well as from the general opinion of manmoral actions of the in- kind in all ages and nations, that superior intelligences are not indifferent spectators It may perhaps be an of the moral actions of the inhabitants of ingredient in the beatitude of just men made this lower orb, so it may perhaps be an upon those persons who, ingredient in the beatitude of just men made perfect to look down upon those persons who, by following their steps, are candidates for admission into the same regions of immortal felicity. It may be hoped at least, that the present exemplary instance cannot be remarked without leaving a suitable impression upon the reader's mind. by following their steps, are candidates for admission into the same regions of immortal felicity. State of the stage during the seventeenth and con eighteenth centuries. The stage, during the seventeenth century, siderable part of the and a considerable part of the eighteenth century, was conducted on principles, which violated not only the sacred barriers of morality and religion, but even those common restrictions of decent manners, which are essential to the satisfaction of social intercourse. The best and wisest men of those times concurred in lamenting the fatal effects of this unrestrained licentiousness of the theatre, and in exerting their most zealous Melmoth's exertions to efforts to procure its reformation; among which honourable number no man was more procure its reformation. ardent in his endeavours for the same laud than the excellent person, who To this end, able purpose But Melmoth did not rest satisfied with soliciting the aid of power in high station, he applied also for assistance to the men of literature; and with that intention wrote a letter to the famous author of a miscellaneous and instructive Review,† at the same time sending to him a copy of the Rev. Mr. Bedford's book, and a copy of the opinion of the Archbishop Tillotson respecting plays.§ Melmoth having no other leisure from the necessary occupations of his profession than what remained every Sabbath after joining in the sa functions of the day, that small portion of his The professional eminence into which Melmoth was now daily advancing left him no other leisure from its necessary occupations than what remained every Sabbath, cred and established after joining in the sacred and established invariably appropriates functions of the day. That small portion of valuable time to the prihis valuable time he invariably appropriated closet. to the private meditations of his closet, which were never so exclusively personal as not to admit reflections to render them of general vate meditations of his Great Importance of a utility; exemplifying the maxim, that persons of distinguished characters are accountable to society, not only for their public, but their private hours. It was by adopting this liberal precept, that, during those stated seasons of retirement from the business of the world and the intrusion of comMelmoth composes the pany, he composed The great Importance of a Religious Life: first published early in the commencement of the eighteenth century: a treatise in which it is not easy to determine whether the elegant simplicity of style, or the persuasive impression of reasoning, is most to be admired. In 1796, not less than twenty-eight editions had been sent to the press, and the general approbation with which it was at first received still continues.* "Prodesse quam conspici" was the leading principle that actuated every beneficent purpose of Melmoth's life; and he was as cautious upon those occasions to conceal himself from public notice, as he was desirous to merit the applause of his own bosom. Upon this disinterested maxim it was that he remained unknown till many years after his decease as the author of this useful production: and his secret would still have been kept, had not the honourable and very ingenious compiler of a Catalogue of Royal and Noble App. A, note 12. Authors, by misinformation, ascribed this performance to John Perceval, Earl of Egmont.* Upon that occasion, justice to the memory of the real author rendered it necessary to disclose the truth. Forms of Occasional Sacrament, together End for which that rite Subsequent to the foregoing tract, Mel-Melmoth publishes moth published Forms of Occasional Prayers Prayers relating to the relating to the Sacrament, together with with an Account of the a short and sensible Account of the End was instituted. for which that Holy Rite was instituted: and this also has passed through repeated editions.† Prayer, as it has been observed, ought to be the plainest; and at the same time is, perhaps, the hardest of all compositions. There are no offices, indeed, of a religious nature, which require a more judicious hand to administer than those which are employed to assist the less informed Christian in the daily or occasional performance of his private devotions. The prayers, which this excellent man drew up for that pious purpose, are composed in such a temperate spirit, both of sentiment and language, as are proper to impress upon the heart of the humble suppliant a just sense * App. A, note 13. † App. A, note 14. See Religion of Nature delineated, in which the reader. will find many just and instructive observations. See App. A, note 15. |