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London, Published June 29th 1812. by Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme & Brown, Paternoster Row

Sid Hall sculp

APPENDIX, No. 1.

ADVICE OF WILLIAM EARL OF BEDFORD TO HIS SONS.

[This paper was sent to me after the rest of the work was gone to the press. The title is in the hand-writing of John Duke of Bedford, who died in 1771, and the letter itself is in the hand-writing of his secretary, Mr. Beaumont. It is difficult, however, to reconcile the contents of the paper with the title. Mention is made of the mother of the persons to whom it is addressed, as one some time dead; but Anne, Countess of Bedford, the mother of Francis Lord Russell, and his brother William, did not die till 1684. Neither can I reconcile the details of the family given in this paper with an Earl of Bedford of any other period. The style seems to be that of the reign of Charles the First.]

Copy of a Letter wrote by William Earl of Bedford, to his Sons, Francis and William.

Dear Frank;

IGNORANCE and vice are the usual effects of an unlearned and undisciplined education. Of my passionate desire to free you and your brother from both these, I suppose I have given you and the world sufficient testimony, sure I am, I have satisfied myself; you may guess how violent my longings are to advance your piety and understanding, that is, to render you perfect

men, in that, death is only displeasing when I think of dying before I see this my desire accomplished, or at least so far as my hopes may be greater than my fears and as death every day makes his approaches nearer and nearer, (God knows how soon he will make a long separation between us:) and in this other regard too, that whilst I live I shall always be with thee. Be this, then, received either as a legacy for the will of a dying, or the advice of a living father, if it be observed or obeyed in either capacity, I shall think myself neither dead nor absent; I put it into your hands with a prayer, that God will give it his blessing, and then you have mine.

It was the wisest saying of the wisest man, the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Holiness then is the introduction of all wisdom ; so it shall be the first of my advice, fear God, and if holiness give knowledge, knowledge will give thee happiness, long life, riches, and honour. Length of days is in the right hand of wisdom, and in her left hand are riches and honour, (said the wise King :) how exalted a thing, then, is religion, which is the mother of so great blessings, and who will pity thy complaints for the want of any of these, if they be obtained by the pleasure of (that which will also crown thee

with heaven) an holy life; be pious, and thou art all these; fear God, and thou shalt not fear man, or devil, for it will set thee above the reach of fortune, or malice.

RELIGION.

For thy religion, distinguish not thyself by, be not factious for, nor serve under any sect whatsoever be thou a Christian, the most pure, certain, noblest worshipper of God of all others. But if thou art pressed to give up thy name to any one profession, enquire after and embrace that whose principles conduce most to piety, that which comes nearest the doctrine of Christ. And in the examination of questions in religion, though I am no divine, yet I dare venture to guide your conscience thus far. Be careful still to search into the consequences of a doctrine; rely upon the Scriptures, which are, without exposition, plain, and which, if they offer injury to the attributes of God, rendering them such as we should abhor ourselves to be, or if they open the gate to looseness and profaneness, by no means give them entertainment. Lastly, labour diligently to find the truth when God shall enable you with abilities for that great work, for I would not have you owe your religion to your education only; and for your encouragement to the search of this truth, heedfully remember the

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