On Behaviour to Other Ministers, and Miscellaneous Remarks in the Conclusion

L On this interesting subject I shall of* fer. First, Observations relative to your own brethren.

t2. I. Treat them with respect. Think onourably of them as you can, and speak well of their labours.

§ 3. 2. Avoid every thing that looks like sheep-stealing.

§ 4. 3. Assist them as much as you can in their temporal affairs. — For this purpose keep up a correspondence with people in good circumstances, and those who can inform you of legacies, &rc.

§ 5. 4. Employ the most popular of them in your absence, especially those who are dearest to your people.

6.^5. Encourage meetings of ministers. — Take heed however they do not grow up into

authoritative synods — and that they be not burdensome to the places where they are kept. — Let the entertainment be moderate, and days of fasting and prayer for the success of the ministry be kept, wherever they are.

§ 7. 6. Encourage a society for books. — This may be of use to you and your brethren, and lead to frequent and profitable interviews.

I 8. 7. Have but a few intimate friends. — If friendship must be broken off, let it be civ« illy ; — -do not ‘drop it abruptly, but insensibly.

9. I shall now give you. Secondly, some observations relative to those of the Establish*- ment.

§ 10. 1. Be very prudent in their company; as in the nature of things you cannot expect them all to be sincere friends to you as dissenters.

§ 11. 2. Treat them on all occasions with respect. Do not enter into controversies with them, much less rail against the establishment, either then or at any other time.

12. 3. Protest, if it be necessary, that you are conscientious in your dissent; and appear ready to be informed on any point of the controversy; but having the chief reasons of nonconformity at hand, do not fail to produce them if you are forced to defend yourselves.

13* 4, Never join with any of them who expose your weak brethren.

14. 5. When you meet with any truly piouS; humble and peaceable men io the estab-XeCt. 25.] MISCELLANEOUS REMARKS. 135

lishment, honour them, — and be on free and friendly terms with them if they wish it.

§ 15. Thirdly, some observations relative to lay preachers.

§ 16. i. Do not contend with them, nor inveigh against them. — God has used many of them for excellent purposes, and we must not tie him to our rules.

§ 17. 2. If there be any in the congregation over whom the great Head of the Church may place you, avoid intimate friendship with them — but let them be treated kindly. Do them good and no harm.

§ 18. 3. Endeavour to out do them in what is good in their own way. Consider what makes them popular — viz. — Preaching Christ ‘’ — Free grace — Visiting — Religious conversation &rC. — Let all these be your care, for they are all your duty.

19. Miscellaneous remarks. In your settlement follow and do not force Providence. — Avoid by all means standing candidates with others. — Never go to any place but on a considerable majority.-rKeep your old friends, and get new ones. — If a few of reputation are uneasy, do not accept a call. — Go to a place at first where you do not intend to spend your lives, if it may be the means of making you easy for a time, and place you in a situation for usefulness and improvement. — Labour to keep your people always in as good a humour as possible. — tif any thing grieves or offends them, alter it if you can with a good conscience. — Remember, when a minister is despised his usefulness is at an end, and no pulpit talents can support him without prudence. — In coversation be lively, but always have some useful hints, to shew that you are a christian and a man of sense. — Never be ashamed of religion, nor seem to hear a wicked jest ] when you cannot reprove it. — Consider yourselves as weak, fallible creatures — Be thankful for instructions — Review former miscarriages for your caution, and earnestly seek wisdom of God to direct all your future steps. — Beware of the reputation of a great politician — Let integrity and uprightness preserve you. — Read over these rules once a year at least, and enrich them with the best remarks you can.