but, though he gave it the preference in comparison with other churches, which, with Grotius, he thought had departed from the inftitutions of the more primitive Christian church, yet he thought that alterations and amendments might be made in it, which would render it more perfect than it is in its present state, and which he earnestly defired to have feen accomplished by those who were properly authorized. But though fuch was his difpofition, fuch his defire, he at the fame time expreffed his most ardent wish that it might remain in its present form, until the alterations propofed to be made therein were all agreed upon and finally Certum mihi eft Aurougyar Anglicanam, item morem imponendi manus adolefcentibus in baptifmi memoriam, autoritatem Epifcoporum, prefbyteria ex folis paftoribus compofita, multaque alia ejufmodi, fatis congruere inftitutis vetuftioris Ecclefiæ, a quibus in Gallia et Belgio receffum negare non poffumus.-Epiftola ad Gedeoni, a Boetflaer et Afperen. Grotii Opera, Amfterdam. 1687. fettled; fettled; for he wifely forefaw the dangerous confequences that may arise to a long-established religious or civil government, from altering or doing away any part of it, however warranted by reafon or found policy, before it is abfolutely determined what fhall in future be adopted. In private life he was moft amiable and engaging, for he was poffeffed of a wellinformed mind, accompanied by an uncommon vein of the most lively, spirited, and genuine wit, which always flowed very copiously amongst thofe with whom he converfed, but which was tempered with fuch a kindness of nature, that it never was the cause of uneafiness to any of those with whom he lived: this made his acquaintance much fought after and courted by all those who had a tafte for brilliant conversation, being well affured that they would be delighted with it where he was; and that, though they did not poffefs the fame talent, they never would be cenfured by him because they wanted it. This This fo gentle an exertion of fo rare a quality he not only ftrictly obferved himfelf, but was always much hurt if he obferved the want of it in others; and confidered every fally of wit, however bright it might be, which tended to the mortification of those who heard it, as one of its greatest abuses, fince he looked upon all pre-eminent gifts of the mind, bestowed by nature as much for the happiness of others, as of those who poffefs them. And in this his delightful conversation he fo totally abstained from recurring to Religion or Scripture as fubjects of his wit, that those who lived moft with him could not help obferving, that in his common and unguarded focial hours, he ever strictly abstained from ufing the name of the Supreme Being, unless when it was rendered neceffary by the immediate fubject of the converfation. No perfon ever felt more for the miferies of others than he did; no perfon faw, or more strictly practifed, the neceffity impofed imposed on those who form the fuperior ranks of life, whofe duty it is to reconcile the lower claffes to their prefent condition, by contributing the utmoft to make them happy; and thereby to cause them to feel as little of that difference as is poffible; for he was moft kind and courteous to all his inferiors, not only in his expreffions and in his behaviour, but in affifting them in all their wants and distreffes, as far as he could; ever confidering his poor neighbours in the country as parts of his family, and, as fuch, entitled to his care and protection. He spent his fummers at his house in the country, refiding there with hofpitality to his tenants and neighbours, and never fuffered any places at that season calculated for public diverfions to allure him; for he said he could at that time do more good in his own parifh than in any other fituation. He frequently lamented the prevailing fashion of the later times of his life, which carried carried gentlemen with their families from London, when it is deferted by all whofe abfence can he difpenfed with, to places far diftant from their houfes and ancient feats in the country; opened chiefly for the reception of those who wish to continue the scenes of diffipation they have left: whence it is, that the money which should revert to the diftricts from which it was received, is turned into a different channel; tenants are deprived of the advantages they are in fome degree entitled to, from its expenditure amongst them; hospitality done away, and thẹ ftream of charity, that would otherwife have gladdened the hearts of their poor neighbours, is stopped; their inferiors deprived of their example, encouragement, and protection, in the practice of religion and virtue, and thereby the manners of the country altered for the worse, which neceffarily occafions great mifchiefs to the public. Such |