no room in his soul; and those who knew him best can witness, how far he was from betraying any discontent at the prosperous condition of others; at their increasing in fortune, honour, or fame. For he knew that the only happy, were the religious and the good and their graces were the subject of his praises, but never the occasions of his envy.

His temperance

In the duties of temperance and chastity, he was nicely strict, and religiously and purity. severe, and kept the opposite vices at

the greatest distance. He employed his time too usefully at home, to allow any of it to those places, which are the usual scenes of intemperance and folly. He considered that abstinence was one of the most effectual instruments of divine grace, to restrain and subdue our passions and desires; and that it ought to be a Christian's great study and care, to govern and calm, not exasperate and inflame them. His conversation was nicely pure and modest, and never sullied with an expression which could raise a foolish thought; but all was transacted according to the severest rules of decency and religion.

How he performed the duties we owe

to our neighbours.

But that we may have as full and right a view of Mr. Bonnell as I can give, I shall now consider him with respect to others, and shew what an example he was, in the great duties of justice and charity, and other social virtues. For it is the property of true religion, not only to make us pious towards God, sober and temperate ourselves, but useful to the world. It secures our hands from violence and blood; our tongues from falsehood and slander; and our hearts from

fraud and cruelty; it renders us faithful in every trust; firm to every promise; sincere in all our professions; peaceable in our stations; charitable to the needy, and the most valuable members of society. Without these happy effects of religion, it is superstitious and false, hypocritical and vain. But Mr. Bonnell's piety, when examined by this, or any other test, will appear to be true, genuine, and sincere.

His justice and integrity.

None could be more exact in every part of justice. He had many opportunities of improving his fortune, and met with temptations, which few, but himself, would have resisted. But though he dispatched all, who had business with him, in the most obliging manner, and with great readiness; yet he never knew what gratuity or reward meant; confining his gains entirely to his salary, and never allowing the importunity or gratitude of any, to force pecuniary acknowledgments upon him. And when at one time, three pieces of broad gold, and a guinea or two at another, were left upon his table, by persons whom he had highly obliged; he gave the money all away, among those who had formerly been officers in the CustomHouse, and were then in want; and acquainted his friends with his reasons for being so scrupulous.

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He owned he had done services to many, in getting their business dispatched, which strictly deserved considerable rewards; but should he allow himself to take them, he did not know how far such a practice might prove a snare to him; might tempt him to be unfaithful in his office, and bias him from his duty: and that, therefore, the surest way to be protected from

all bribery, was to keep it at a distance; and never allow himself to take any thing, but just what the king allowed him; lest any approaches to that sin, however covered with specious pretences, might give an advantage to Satan, to betray him into it. And he told his friends farther, that the reason of this declaration was, that his principle might be in some measure known; that so he might be better armed against gifts and presents; and neither tempted to accept, nor put to the trouble of denying them."

These were his principles and practices, built upon the solid foundations of justice and piety, and that noble faith which overcometh the world. None ever complained who had business with him, that money was necessary to procure dispatch, or that difficulties were imposed upon them, which presents (another name for bribes) removed.

How different was his behaviour from that which is complained of as too common in the world, and how few are proof against temptations, which he not only conquered, but despised? Were all who are employed in offices of trust, actuated by his fidelity, contempt of unlawful gain, we should not hear so many complaints as we do, of the public being defrauded; just and honest causes would not miscarry through the poverty, nor unjust ones succeed through the wealth and power of those who maintain them; but justice would flow in regular channels, and be equally dispersed to the poor and rich.

And so well was Mr. Bonnell's character for justice and integrity established, that the fortunes of orphans, were fre

Orphans frequently com

mitted to him.

quently committed to his management and care: a trust which he never declined, and always discharged with a most conscientious tenderness; which is a great instance of his charity, as well as justice.

Nor was his justice to men's fortunes, stricter than to their character and fame. He rarely touched so nice a thing as reputation; and did it always with a Christian temper, and tender hand. But nothing like detraction was observed in his freest conversation. He excused men's failings, as far as was reconcileable with Christian prudence and sincerity; and put the best comment upon every action it could bear; and what he could not justify, he would pass lightly over. Not but that he was above that ridiculous complaisance of applauding every person, and every action, how worthless soever the one or the other might be: he was blessed with too discerning a genius for such good-natured folly. Yet, on the other hand, none made greater allowances for human nature; for the various tempers and educations of men; and he was seldom so severe on any as himself. His conversation was not soured with constant and melancholy complaints of the impieties of the age, and railing at those freedoms of life, which, though he did not practise himself, yet he would not condemn as crimes, in those who used them. And as this is a temper very excellent in itself; since it proceeds from that charity, which hopeth, believeth, and endureth all things; so it is the more to be valued, because the want of it has been complained of, in men of very strict lives: some religious severities, perhaps disposing men to melancholy, and hard thoughts of

those who do not deny themselves every liberty they have a dislike to. But with Mr. Bonnell, it was quite otherwise; he rejoiced when he could speak well of any and when he was forced to discommend, it was always done with concern and regret.

Equal to his justice was his charity, which, like that of Heaven, rejoiced in His charity. doing good to all. He had a true concern

To men's

souls.

for the souls of men: he contemplated so constantly, the amazing love of our Saviour to mankind, with his bitter sufferings to redeem their souls that he was actuated with some degree of his infinite love, and burned with his heavenly flame. No man in his station, could take more pains, to give all he conversed with a true relish of piety and religion. He was continually dispersing good books among young people, his clerks, and servants, and poor families; which he seconded with such constant instructions, upon all fitting occasions, delivered with such kindness and concern, as could not fail of making great impressions upon many of them.

The same divine charity to the souls

of men shewed itself, in his great and To the afflicted. constant endeavours to direct and comfort those, who laboured under troubles and discontents of mind. He had a very happy way of calming uneasy thoughts, and quieting disturbed consciences. And in no work did he employ himself with greater readiness or success. For some years, his spare hours, especially upon the Lord's-day, were very much given to the scrupulous and disconsolate; with whom what he said had very great weight; not only because he de