A reflection on the reli∣gion and piety of the inhabitants of Burcot-Hamlet.

Thus ended the evening and morning of∣fices of worship at Burcot-Lodge, and as I cannot sufficiently praise, so I could not enough admire the religion and piety of this congregation. The purity of their worship was charming: and in the ladies and their people a devotion was manifest, that looked more like that of heavenly spirits, than of beings in an animal frame; who are warped with the customs of the world, and perplexed with difficulties which arise from sensible objects. They appeared in high admiration of God, endeared to his righteous govern∣ment, devoted to his holy laws, and power∣fully drawn to imitate him in all his imitable perfections. Not one idle word, or careless look, did I hear or see, dur∣ing the whole time of divine service; but, Page  261like creatures fixed unchangeably in the in∣terest of religion and virtue, and delighted with the joys of piety, their hearts melted in every part of their devotions, and their breasts were filled with the most grateful, transporting adorations and affections. So much beautiful religion I had not often seen in any assembly. They had a true sense in∣deed of the love and goodness of God, and of the grace and charity of Jesus Christ. They had all been carefully instructed by a wise and excellent man, who was not long since removed from them by death; and his daughter, the admirable Azora, in conjunction with his niece, the amiable Antonia, took all possible pains, since the decease of Mr. Burcot, to maintain the power of religion in their com∣munity, and keep the people hearty and steady in the principles and practice of it. This brings me again to the history of A∣zora.