Manuductio ad ministerium. Directions for a candidate of the ministry

IX. Don't Use your Pen, and Lose your Time, in Eristic Writings, any more than unquestionable Duty and Prudence makes to be absolutely Necessary. Writing upon a Point, and in the Way and ⟨p. 141⟩Strain of Controversy, will not only have a Tendency to discompose the Peace of your Mind, but miserably Divert the Studies of a short Pilgrimage, from such things as would be much more Profitable for your self and others. Anon, the Grand Point of the Controversy will be, only Who has most Wit or Grace of the Two, you, or your Antagonist. A mighty Business! If Jerome were pleased in an Hectoring way to forewarn his Opponents, that he was, Cornuta Bestia; I hope you won't be so.

IX. Don't Use your Pen, and Lose your Time, in Eristic Writings, any more than unquestionable Duty and Prudence makes to be absolutely Necessary. Writing upon a Point, and in the Way and ⟨p. 141⟩Strain of Controversy, will not only have a Tendency to discompose the Peace of your Mind, but miserably Divert the Studies of a short Pilgrimage, from such things as would be much more Profitable for your self and others. Anon, the Grand Point of the Controversy will be, only Who has most Wit or Grace of the Two, you, or your Antagonist. A mighty Business! If Jerom were pleased in an Hectoring way to forewarn his Opponents, that he was, Cornuta Bestia; I hope you won't be so.

X. If Calumnious Quills have publicly scratched you,— An Respondendum semper Calumniis? — No. Look as far back as Two Thousand Years ago, and you will find even a Plato giving a Pattern to a Christian, in his declining to take any Notice of the Invectives which a Xenophon had used upon him. — It may be, the Scribblers, are sorry Scoundrels, and such vile Children of Sheth, as it is beneath you to let them know that you have so much as read their Follies. — Or be they what they will, for the most part, the best way will be to, Shine on, Regardless of what the Bats and Owls may mutter against you. Or, if that Metaphor be too Sublime, let me say, At least As the Moon among the lesser Fires, keep a steady Pace, Walking in your Brightness, notwithstanding the unregardable Allatrations of your Adversaries. If they persecute you with Libels, 'tis a notable Hint, that Le Clero has given you. Instead of answering them, write such learned and useful Books, as will be of perpetual Service to Mankind. These will procure such a casting and lasting Testimony for you, that there will need no more to make a Man ill thought of, than this; That he was a Thersites to you, and