N02338:158
Manuductio ad ministerium. Directions for a candidate of the ministry
Manuductio ad ministerium. Directions for a candidate of the ministry. : Wherein, first, a right foundation is laid for his future improvement; and, then, rules are offered for such a management of his academical & preparatory studies; and thereupon, for such a conduct after his appearance in the world; as may render his a skilful and useful minister of the Gospel. : [Three lines of quotation in Latin]
Boston: printed for Thomas Hancock, 1726
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
There have been also more particular Essays of Church History, which you may do well to find some time for Conversation with. Such more especially are what we have had from Eusebius, whom they call The Father of Church History; Together with, The Tripartite History, of Socrates, and Theodoret, and Sozomen, continued by Evagri•s. ⟨p. 66⟩As a kind of a Postscript whereunto, you can scarce Read a more profitable Thing than, Vedelius, his, Prudentia Veteris Ecclesiae. But you may prudently Join with it, Millar, his, History of the Propagation of Christianity. And with how much Edification run over, Illyricus, his Catalogus Testium Veritatis! Coming lower down, I am fond of your Familiarity with a Book, very little known among us; 'Tis Regenvolscius, his, Systema Historico-Chronologicum Ecclesiarum Sclavonicarum. But you will do well also to read Sleidan, his, Commentaries; Moreland, his History of the Waldenses; Calderwood, his Church-History of Scotland; Fuller, his Church-History of England: And Burnet, his History of the Reformation Therein make wise Reflections on the Providence of Him, who has all Power in Heaven and Earth, for the upholding of His Kingdom in the World. Nor should our Martyrologies be left unconsulted. But in them you will behold the Cup given to CHRIST Mystical, in the Sufferings of His Faithful People; and admire the Operations of the SPIRIT that strengthened the Sufferers with such Patience, and such Fortitude: The Grace given to the Children of Men! As for the Histories of Councils, if Angelocrator's brief Epitome Conciliorum do not content you, I cannot wish you to go beyond Coriolanus. The more Elephantine Books of them, I won't so much as give you the Titles; But instead of them, I pray read Baxter, his, Church-History of the Government of Bishops and their Councils. Nevertheless, The History of the Council of Trent, and the, Acta of the Synod of Dort, I could be glad, if you could give some Winter-Evenings to. And what an Illustrious Person ⟨p. 67⟩has offered as a KING upon, The Discipline of the Primitive Church; and, The History of the Creed; must by no means be forgotten in the Visits of your Studies.