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with an happy fluency of thought, and an unaffected simplicity of language, which have not, I think, been exemplified since Christ and his Apostles; and which are only in the Evange lists and Epistles."

By another.

"The Bishop's writings breathe such a genu ine spirit of unaffected piety and benevolence, as cannot fail to afford pleasure in the perusal; and in his life and manners, he has left us an example of Primitive and Apostolic simplicity that will rarely be equalled. In his sermons, he made it a rule to avoid all deep and unuseful speculations, all juvenile affectation of fine language, wit and learning.'

Character by Vicessimus Knox.

"If one were desired to exhibit to sceptics or infidels, a specimen of human excellence pro: duced by the influence of Christianity, I know not whether it would be easy to find a more finished model, than Bishop Wilson.

"His whole life appears to have been a uni form tenor of goodness, unequalled and unrivalled by any of the Philosophers, who are the pride of antiquity, and who are cited by modern sophists, when they wish to extol reason, and depreciate revelation.

His piety, charity, diligence and vigilance, were truly Apostolic; and I make no doubt that he deserved to be canonized better than many of the holiest saints in the calender, the marble steps before whose shrines, are worn by the knees of adoring pilgrims.

He rendered the beauty of holiness eminently conspicuous; and I think no man of sensibility can read his life; without being charmed by the lovely picture. Indeed he must be confirmed in his wickedness to a most deplorable degree, if he does not find his heart meliorated by it. Such a life, since example is confessedly more efficacious than precept, might possibly convert the wicked and unbelieving from their errors, when the most cloquent discourse, the most convincing reasoning, and best written treatises should fail. There must be something wonderful in that religion, which can make such a man as Bishop Wilson.

The following anecdote is recorded in his life.

Cardinal Fleury wanted much to see him, and sent over on purpose to inquire after his health, his age, and the date of his consecra tion; as they were the oldest, and he believed, the poorest Bishops in Europe; at the same time, inviting him to France. The Bishop

sent the Cardinal an answer which gave him so high an opinion of him, that he obtained an order that no privateer should ever molest the Isle of Man.

He was so charitable that it was not unaptly observed by a gentleman of the Island, that he kept beggars from every body's door but his

own.

He was offered an English Bishopric at three different times by Queen Anne, King George I. and by Queen Caroline. The latter was very desirous of keeping him in England, but he refused positively. One day as he was coming to pay his duty to the Queen, when she had several prelates with her; she turned round to her Lords, and said "see here my Lords is a Bishop who does not come for translation." No indeed, and please your majesty, said our good Bishop, I will not leave my wife in my old age, because she is poor," meaning the (Isle of man, whose income was small.)

He lived to the ninety-third year of his age, and during fifty eight of which he was Bishop of the Isle of man.

O may

I die the death of the righteous, and

may my latter end be like his,

PRAYERS

OF THE

RIGHT REV. THOMAS WILSON, D. D.

FIFTY-EIGHT YEARS

BISHOP OF SODOR AND MAN:

SELECTED FROM HIS WORKS, AND DIGESTED INTO FORMS, BUITED TO PRIVATE PERSONS

AND FAMILIES, &C.

The following observations on prayer, are collected from different parts of his works, and are worthy of frequent, and attentive perusal ;

True devotion consists in having our hearts always devoted to God, as the sole fountain of all happiness; and who is ready to hear and to help his otherwise helpless and miserable

creatures.

It is to be obtained,

1stly. By earnest prayer! He that hungers after righteousness will certainly be filled!

2ndly. By possessing our hearts with a deep sense of our own misery and sinfulness, our wants and danger.

3dly. By considering God's goodness, power and readiness to help.

Lastly. By convincing our hearts of the va nity of every thing else to afford us any real help

or comfort,

Dying persons are generally more devout than others, because they then see their misery,

B

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