N02338:222
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.
For your Secret Prayers, I can bate you nothing of David's, and of Daniel's Number, Three times in a Day: For your Pious Ejaculations, I have nothing against the Number, which they report of ⟨p. 109⟩the Apostle Bartholomew, [One Hundred in a Day!] Yea, Or that which they report of a Father whose Name was Paulus; [Three Hundred in a Day!] If you can attain so far to have your Eyes ever towards the Lord. Excellent is the Counsel of Lansbergius, in his Enchiridion Militis Christiani, [And by the Way, Erasmus, his Golden Book of the same Title, I earnestly advise you to the Reading of!] Ex Omnibus quae vides, quaequae audis, disce orandi sumere Occasionem, mentemque ad Deum elevandi. Besides your stated Prayers for every Day, you will also have Numberless Errands to Heaven, which will oblige you frequently to make your Occasional Addresses thither upon Emergencies. But what in a very particular Manner I advise you to, is, Now and then to set a part WHOLE DAYS for Interviews with Heaven; and this with such Fasting as you may find you are able to bear, and may be for the Help of your Devotions. On such Days, go through' a Process of Repentance, which cannot be too often Repeated. Renew your Flights unto your SAVIOUR, that you may be more Quickened in the Life of GOD. Present the Sacrifices wherein you shall offer up your All unto Him, and embrace and enjoy a CHRIST instead of All. Carry to Him all your Concerns; and let all your Desire be before Him, and none of your Groaning be hid from Him. Let your Petitions for Others, and for all the Societies you belong unto, Express the true Spirit of Grace in your Supplications, and be like those of the Man greatly Beloved. Soar up as high as you can towards an Union with GOD. Intermix all along, the Reading of proper Things, wherein GOD from the Holy ⟨p. 110⟩Oracle may Commune with you; and you may Assist and Inflame the Work wherein you are engaged. Let the Minutes of Spaces between your Devotions, be filled with Reflections, that may have a Tendency to bring you into Abasements of your self, or into Adorations of your GOD; and from your Heart within you, Let them go up silently unto the Lord. Conclude all, with Holy Projections and Purposes, for further Improvements in a Careful, Fruitful, Humble Walk with GOD. But how much could I wish, That in this Religion of the Closet, you may know what it is to keep Days of Thanksgiving too?