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See pp. 202, 265, 266. ‘Acquaint yourselves’ (was the excellent advice of Matthew Henry) ‘with the state of your people’s souls—their temptations—their infirmities. You will then know better how to preach to them.’ Life, p. 124. ‘Rely on it, he who hopes to discharge the duties of the pulpit ably, appropriately, seasonably, and to the greatest advantage of his flock, without being with them much, entertains a hope which is perfectly unreasonable, and he will certainly be disappointed.’ Professor Miller’s Letters. The parcelling out of our country into parishes under their several Ministers, obviously tends to facilitate this pastoral system. So fully sensible was Philip Henry of this “that he often wished and prayed for the opening of a door by which to return to that order again.” Life, pp. 47, 48. On this point, see the valuable remarks and discussion in an ‘Essay on the Parochial System,’ by Rev. H. W. Wilberforce.