N02338:78
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.
Here you have, what may challenge the Title of, Jmre Binah, with you.
Sic Vivitur.
With a single Eye, to keep up a Regular and Perpetual Aim at the RIGHT END, of all that I do, and of all that I have; This will be to walk in the Light continually. The GLORY of GOD is the only RIGHT END of all; and it will gloriously Lighten the Mind that has an Eye upon it. But the Lamb is to be at the same time, the Light of such a Soul, and a CHRIST is to be considered: GOD in that Lord of Glory, is to be the Object which my Eye must be for ever to, if I would not have my Foot in the Net of the Evil Ones. That I may truly Live, Oh! may the Life of GOD, and of His CHRIST, be thus manifested in me! Every thing which the Candle of the Lord condemns as an Evil Thing,; I would forever Abhor it, and Avoid it; Because it will incur that Rebuke, By Sin thou dishonourest GOD. I apprehend every Act of Obedience to GOD, as a Thing which the Eye of that Infinite One does with Pleasure take Notice of. That which procures any Act of my Obedience to be pleasing unto the Infinite GOD, is the Mediation of my SAVIOUR. HE has by His Obedience to GOD for me, made Expiation for the Defects of my Obedience, and bespoke a gracious Acceptance for it. This Obedience of His, I look upon, and lean upon, as the only Righteousness ⟨p. 10⟩that Justifies me. But mine has in it a faint Resemblance of that perfect Obedience which my JESUS has yielded unto GOD for me; And it is an Obedience, which the SPIRIT of my JESUS, influencing and actuating of me, is the Worker of. Yea, 'Tis more immediately to a Glorious CHRIST, and GOD shining upon me in Him, that I may pay my Obedience. If I may in any Act of Obedience, or of Submission, to the Will of GOD, be a Grateful Spectacle to HIM, or, if HE may take Satisfaction in what He helps me to Be, and to Do, before Him, This is the Highest Felicity I can wish for; the Top of my Ambition; the last END, the main and chief Scope, of my Life. Lord, Beyond This, there is nothing that I can Ask or Think. Prepared with such Sentiments, I proceed now thus to fix my Eye upon the RIGHT END of all that my Hand finds to do, or that GOD puts into it. Why do I attend on the DAILY SACRIFICES of the Closet and of the Household? LORD, I desire now to pay that Homage to thee, which Thou wilt, for the sake of Thy CHRIST, look down with Delight upon. Why do I give Attendance on the PUBLIC EXERCISES of Religion?