D THE STUDENT AND PASTOR: OR, Directions how to attain to Eminence By JOHN MASON, M. A. The SECOND EDITION. Επεχε σεαυτω και διδασκαλία. St. Paul ad Tim. LONDON: Printed for J. BUCKLAND, at the Buck, No. 57, in PREFACE. HESE papers were origi T nally drawn up for the be nefit of a young gentle man, who was a candidate for the facred miniftry. I conceived, that, if they were made more public, they might be of more extenfive ufe; not only to academicks who study with a view to the paftoral office, but to those who are lately entered upon it. And what the more induced me to make them fo was, that (though we have many useful treatises on this fubject) I don't remember to have seen any thing in our own language fo A 2 compre comprehensive of the Student's and Paftor's Office, or which reprefents both in fo fhort a view. Oftervald de l'Exercife du Ministére (which a learned and valuable friend recommended to me when I was collecting these thoughts) comes the nearest to my plan, both in method and precision, of any thing I have feen. But as that is written in French, and is confined to the duties of the minifteral function, without any directions in the preparatory ftudies, I thought it not fufficient to fuperfede the profecution of my defign... clla gent The prefent low state of practical christianity in this nation, from the prevalence of infidelity and libertinism on the one hand, and the power of delufion and enthufiafin on the other; is never enough to be lamented by those who have the religion of the gofpel at heart. And though we must expect a Divine Power to introduce a better face of things amongst us, yet how far this growing evil may be res pelled, pelled, or diminished, by the awakened zeal, vigilance and wisdom of pastors and preachers in their respective departments, it becomes thofe who have the honour to appear in that faain cred character feriously to confider. At least this a powerful argument to excite their efforts to fee what can be done; and to quicken them to greater diligence in the feveral parts of their holy function, in dependance on the divine bleffing for the defired fuccefs. And now, reader, if thou art a candidate for the facred miniftry, or already entered upon it, I would (with my fincere prayer for the divine bleffing) recommend the following fheets to thy ferious perufal; not as a meer fpeculative treatise, but as a practical Enchiridion. E ----Si quid novifi rectius iftis, Candidus imperti; fi non, his utere |