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1705. know myself so well, as to see the opinion others have of me to be a thing that tells me, not what I am, but what I ought to be. Indeed I acknowledge to you, (and I think myself obliged so to do,) that I am a servant of the great God, though but a weak and imperfect one. As for other things, I must tell you, (and I am not ashamed to own it,) that my improvements here in the university have been as mean, as my education was before I came hither: pardon me, sir, for thus taking notice of the beginning of your letter, for I could not restrain myself from it; because you are not the first by many, that intimated to me how well others speak of me. And I look upon it as a special providence of God in bringing these things to my hearing, to mortify me for what I really am, and to stir me up to endeavour to be what I am not. But enough of this, sir, and I tell it only to you, knowing to whom I write. For perhaps to some, such a letter might render me ridiculous.

He takes his seat in

Now for a person to have Mr. Bull's acquirements of learning and piety, with so mean an opinion of them himself, will be thought by all good Christians to be no small degree of the most valuable virtue of humility. The loss of so good a son was a very great affliction to the good old bishop, and the greater, from those circumstances of life in which he was then engaged; but yet through the assistance of God's grace, he did not sink under it, his heart was fixed, trusting in the Lord.

The bishop took his seat in the house of lords in the house a most critical conjuncture, even in that memorable the time of session, when the bill for uniting both kingdoms

of lords at

the union.

passed into a law; and when not a few were in the 1705. greatest apprehensions concerning our church, and were for considering thence the best methods of securing it to posterity, together with the union. Wherefore upon a debate in the house, in relation to the said bill, a certain noble lord, of a very eminent character, moved in a speech, that since the parliament of Scotland had given a character of their church, by extolling the purity of its worship, their lordships should not be behindhand in giving a character of the best constituted church in the world. For, saith he, (turning himself towards the bench of bishops,) my lords, I have been always taught by my lords the bishops from my youth, that the Church of England is the best constituted church in the world, and most agreeable to the apostolical institution. Upon which, bishop Bull, who sate very near his lordship, apprehending how upon such an appeal to the bishops, it was necessary for them to say something, stood up and said; "My lords, I do "second what that noble lord hath moved, and do "think it highly reasonable, that in this bill a cha"racter should be given of our most excellent "church. For, my lords, whosoever is skilled in

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primitive antiquity, must allow it for a certain and "evident truth, that the Church of England is, in "her doctrine, discipline, and worship, most agree"able to the primitive and apostolical institution.” The bishop of St. David's coming out of the house, bishop Beveridge and another bishop thanked his lordship for his excellent speech; and said bishop Beveridge, My lord, if you and I had the penning of the bill, it should be in the manner your lordship hath moved. Upon which bishop Bull made

1705. such a reply, as represented the necessity he lay under of thus discharging his duty, when so solemnly called upon in the greatest court of the nation: and it is certainly at all times the indispensable obligation of all the bishops and pastors of the church, to behave themselves with an holy boldness and undaunted resolution, in the affairs of God and religion, without being awed or biassed by the torrent of the times, or made sordidly to crouch to a prevailing power of worldly politicians, who are for carrying on their own sinister designs at any rate, though always under the most specious pretexts.

The bishop,

in July af

LXXIII. About July after his lordship was conter his con- secrated, he went into his diocese; being resolved to secration, employ the remainder of his strength and vigour in his diocese. that service of his Master, the great Bishop of souls,

to which he was now called. He was received by the gentry and clergy with all imaginable demonstrations of respect, which increased in proportion as they grew more intimately acquainted with his solid worth. The episcopal palace at Aberguilly being much out of repair, he made choice of Brecknock for the place of his residence, being the chief town in the county of that name, placed almost in the centre thereof. Here king Henry the Eighth constituted a collegiate church, consisting of two and twenty prebendaries, which he translated to this place, from Aberguilly in Caermarthenshire: this town abounded with great numbers of poor people, who looked upon the good bishop as a guardian angel, sent to comfort and relieve them under their pressing wants and necessities. And herein they were not mistaken, as will appear by what shall be

care.

related in reference to that subject, when the bishop 1705. removed from thence to another seat in his diocese. When he was settled at this place, his first care was to apply himself to understand the state and condition of that district, which was committed to his Now in order to this purpose, he designed that summer to visit his diocese himself in person; and did begin at Brecknock, where he delivered his charge to the clergy, consisting in an earnest and pathetical exhortation, wherein he stirred them up, by way of remembrance, to a steady and vigorous prosecution of the duties of their sacred function. But it pleased God to prevent the farther execution of his good purposes, by sending him a severe illness, which put an end to his progress at that time. But still, that he might not want that information, which was necessary to enable him to rectify any thing which was amiss under his government, he committed this trust to several commissioners, of which the chief was Mr. William Powel, rector of Langattock, and prebendary of Becknock, with others the most considerable clergymen in the several deaneries. By which means he was better able to judge where his authority and power was most wanting to reform any prevailing abuses; and what measures might be taken to remedy them.

The bishop

visitation by

sioners.

And because it may be proper to finish this head 1708. of his visitations under this article, I must acquaint appoints a the reader, that three years after this his lordship triennial appointed a triennial visitation; but not being able, commisthrough weakness and continued indispositions, to bear the fatigue of travelling, he constituted his worthy son-in-law, Mr. Stevens, the present archdeacon of Brecknock, and residentiary canon of St. David's,

1708. with Mr. William Powel before-mentioned, to be his commissioners, to visit in his stead. Mr. Stevens delivered the charge, which the bishop had prepared, under the hopes of appearing himself in all the parts of his diocese.

The sum of the charge

the bishop.

The sum whereof was, to set before his clergy prepared by the principal parts and branches of their pastoral office, with rules and directions for the most successful manner of performing them. The main duties of their function he maketh to consist in reading the prayers of the church, in preaching, in catechising, in administering the holy sacraments, and in visiting the sick. And as to the manner of performing the principal parts of their office, the directions he giveth are these. To read divine service audibly, that all who are present may join in it; distinctly and leisurely, that they may not outrun the attention and devotion of the people; and with great reverence and devotion, so as to kindle pious affections in the congregation. For thus, he saith, the prayers of the church are to be read, both in order to keep up the reputation of them, and to render them useful to the people. To qualify them for preaching, he pressed the knowledge and understanding of the holy Scriptures; and in order thereunto, some skill in the learned languages, with good judgment and discretion, and not without a tolerable share of elocution. He advised young divines not to trust at first to their own compositions, but to furnish themselves with a provision of the best sermons, which the learned divines of our church have published; that by reading them often, and by endeavouring to imitate them, they may acquire a habit of good preaching themselves. And where, through poverty,

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