To SIR JOHN HARi'OPP, Baronet. Silt, Todescend from such parents as your's, is no common favour of hea- ven ; nor is it the blessing of every descendant.to inherit the natural virtues of his progenitors: yet I know that you esteem your happiness incomplete, without the imitation of their heavenly graces, and the .at taiament of their sublimest hopes. Forgive me, Dear Sir, if I take the liberty to say, it is witha sort of fond pleasure that 1 bave beheld your victories over the most danger- cam scenes and temptations of youth; and every step in your progress towards perfect triumph, is an addition to my joy. Theworld and the church hold their eyes fixed upon you, while God andangels, and, per- haps, the souls of your sacred ancestors, look down from on high to observe your conduct. Never was there a'more proper time to awa- ken your zeal for the religion of Christ, than in a day of spreading infi- delity and heathenism.; nor can there be a fitter season to exert your utmost efforts for the support ofserious piety, than in an age of nume- rous and growing iniquities. Your just sense of religious liberty will shine in its fairest glory, while you stand as a barrier against the fear- ful inroads of a wild and unbounded licentiousness. Nor can your at- tachment to the cause and interest of the Protestant Dissenters appear with more honour, than while they are defamed and scorned by, the Proud and the profane, and while their own imprudent contests stand in needof your candour and charity. Many are the advantages you enjoy for this purpose. Divine Pro- vidence has placed your circumstances above the bribery of a flatter- ing world, and acorrupt generation. Your superior sense has no need to stand in awe of fools, who make a mock of sin and godliness. Let your native modesty and gentleness then arm itselfwith an unshaken courage in the cause of God ; and fear not the malicious scoffand cen- sure of sinners, since you have nothing to expect or hope from them. Go on, Sir, and prosper, in the things of heaven, and become an ex ample ofshining holiness in a degenerate world. Let the libertines of the nation know, that you also dare to think freely for yourself, and with all that freedom of thought you dare to chuse the paths of your holy ancestors. The peculiar favour of God has provided you a consort, whosena- tural and pious accomplishments and assistances will attend von through all the way. These will soften the seeming severities of strict religion with the tenderest endearments of life, and make the pleasures of it double and transcendant. The name, the title, and thecharac- ter of your excellent father deceased, require and demand an eminent degree of goodness in his successor. The pious lady, your mother, now in heaven, wouldhave rejoiced in the present prospect, and would have purchased your felicity even with her own life: and your nume- rous relatives around you suspend their happiness upon your's. The piety you have shewn towards your worthyparents from your infancy,
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