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upon them; fome of which have been very contrary to that candor which the Gospel inspires. The misrepresentations which the want of memory, or good temper may have occafioned, do not amount, even to " infect vexations," with respect to the Author's feelings. But fome of his friends have been differently affected, and have so repeatedly intreated him to allow the public to judge of his guilt or innocence, that he has (though not without reluctance) confented. Their folicitude he attributes to the partiality of Friendship, and thanks them for wifhing to wipe off what an improper fpirit has thrown upon him. He is not folicitous to do it himself: nor would he have done any thing in his own defence; but performed friendly offices, when opportunity offered, for the perfons who have spoken unhandfomely of him.

The production of a fingle day, haftily written (not but the approaching fervice had been previoufly thought on in the Author's way home) must be liable to many objections, when viewed by the eye, even of the most candid and indulgent Critic, It must be remembered that the Au thor makes no pretenfion to an ability for difplaying logical accuracy in argu

ment,

ment, or writing in a Virgilian ftyle. This honeft and unadorned effufion was defigned only to communicate information, and impress the heart. And it will not fail to do that in a ferious hour, when the mind is uninflamed with party-zeal, and feels itself liberated from the shackles of a false system.

As the Charge was spoken without the aid of Notes, there may be a few expreffions in the following pages that were omitted in the public delivery, and some wanting that were then uttered. But, the Author is certain the omiffions are few because (deviating from his ufual manner) he had before written the Charge at full length.

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This tribute is paid to the wishes of Friends, and given to the Public as a humble Teftimony to Truth; with prayer for its usefulness to the God and Father of our Lord Jefus Chrift, "of whom, and through whom, and to whom are all things: to whom be glory for ever." Amen.

HIGHBURY-PLACE, Iflington, O&t. 17, 1785.

A CHARGE,

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A CHARGE, &c.

IF

F I thought this Affembly expected me to make an Apology, for undertaking the performance of fo diftinguished a part in the fervice of this day, I should fay, one inducement was, the importunity of my young Brother, and fome of his Friends. He is peculiarly interested in this branch of the Ordination Service, and had a right, therefore, in conjunction with his Friends, to choose the Minifter who should perform it.

For every duty, there are perfons, fit and lefs fit. I confider myself lefs fit than many of those Ministers upon whofe heads time has fcattered a filver froft. But though lefs qualified than the more aged and experienced, I do not tell you that I am totally incapable; for had I thought fo, you would not have seen me in this facred Desk on the prefent occafion. I fay, not totally incapable for my imagination has traced a fimilitude between my former circumstances and these of my Brother at prefent.

Like him I entered very early in life into the Ministry; having for more than twelve years, had this grace given to preach the unfearchable riches of Chrift; and seven years within two months have

had

had the paftoral care of a Church. If I diftantly. hint at the defects, dangers, and temptations, which have attended me in the space of time mentioned, by way of caution, it may prove a word in season.

Like my Reverend Brother, I fucceeded at the Weigh-Houfe, thofe who in their day were men of learning, wifdom, and venerable piety. I undertook with fear and trembling the important office of a Paftor; but hitherto, through the grace of God, and the prayers of a candid, benevolent, and harmonious Society, I continue fpeaking the things which Mofes and the Prophets did fay fhould come to pafs. This qualifies me to fpeak the language of Encouragement, as well as Caution. Let this then fuffice by way of Apology.

MY WORTHY BROTHER,

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SEEING you have thought proper to invite me to this momentous fervice, I fhall addrefs myfelf to it with fuch ability as God has been pleafed to beftow. I confider I confider your calling. me to this Duty, as a proof of the candor and liberality of your mind; for you know, Sir, that I labour under fome reputed difadvantages. I came not from our diffenting Athens; I came from Nazareth. What I have to fay therefore, will

not

The Author never was at Homerton or any diffenting Academy, When eighteen years of age, he went to a feminary at Trevecca, un der the patronage of Lady Huntingdon, where with the help of a pious and diligent Tutor, he revived that acquaintance with the Languages which he had cultivated for five years at a good Grammar-School when a Boy. He spent the moft part of four years and three quarters at Trevecca, and in that agreeable folitude had the unreftrained ufe of a well-chofen Library, written by the beft Authors on theological moral, and philofophical fubjects, in their various ramifications. If no materials for ministerial duty were collected in that eligible recess,

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