N02338:275
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.
Only This. Forever Obsta Principijs.— If any Sickness come upon you, be sure to be Sick soon enough. Maladies taken at the Beginning may be easily and presently conquered; when— Delays are dangerous. And if you are upon a Recovery from any Malady, Ben't Well too soon •
20. I have now no more to do; but only single out a Few RULES OF PRUDENCE, the Observation whereof may be your Preservation from very many Wrong Steps, in the Way you have ⟨p. 137⟩now before you. It cost the Prussians, the Trouble of a War, before they could oblige their Neighbours, to call them no longer Brutos, which they did before the Tenth Century, but, Prusses, which signifies, it seems, A Prudent People. I wish it may cost you no more Trouble, than only a little Reading of, and Thinking on, certain Maxims of Prudence to render you one of that People. I shall not say, how much it has cost me, and what a Dear-bought Experience it is, that has enabled me to recommend them.
I will first suppose, That you take that Course of PIETY, If any lack Wisdom, let him ask it of GOD: And, That you study the Book of The PROVERBS, which our Bible is enriched withal. I will also wish you to read, the Lord Verulam, his Essays. And I will mind you, That one has lately written a Book, to show, That Wisdom lies in the not doing that which may any way prejudice Humane Society, of which we are a part, but on the contrary make all our Actions tend to the Benefit of it. Then, I will offer you such Hints as these.