cision, of any thing I have seen. But as that is written in French, and is confined to the duties of the ministerial function, without any directions in the preparatory studies, I thought it not sufficient to supersede the prosecution of my design. The present low state of practical christianity in this nation, from the prevalence of infidelity and libertinism on the one hand, and the power of delusion and enthusiasm on the other, is never enough to be lamented by those who have the religion of the gospel at heart. And though we must expect a divine Power to intro duce a better face of things amongst us, yet how far this growing evil may be re pelled, or diminished, by the awakened zeal, vigilance and wisdom of pastors and preachers in their respective departments, it becomes those who have the honour to appear in that sacred character seriously to consider. At least this is a powerful argument to excite their efforts to see what can be done; and to quicken them to greater diligence diligence in the several parts of their holy function, in dependence on the divine blessing for the desired success. And now reader, if thou art a candidate for the sacred ministry, or already entered upon it, I would (with my sincere prayer for the divine blessing) recommend the following sheets to thy serious perusal; not as a mere speculative treatise, but as a practical enchiridion. -Si quid novisti rectius istis, Candidus imperti; si non, his utere mecum. THE HORACE PREFACE TO THIS EDITION. THE name of MR. MASON, though the author of many publications of merit and utility, is chiefly known by a valuable and useful useful treatise on "Self-Knowledge," which first appeared from the press, in 1745, and has passed through many editions at home and been translated and circulated in several countries on the Continent. We are indebted to the editor of that impression, which issued from the press of Messrs. Wilks and Taylor, in 1802. for an interesting "Account of his Life and Writings;" as far as he could collect materials for it, at so distant a date from his death. From which the following particulars may be, with propriety selected. The Rev. JoHN MASON, was born at Dunmow, in Essex, in the year 1705-6. His father was a dissenting minister, and successively pastor to congregations at Daventry in Northamptonshire, Dunmow in Essex, and at Spalding in Lincolnshire, where he died, and was buried in 1722-3. It is not known, under whom Mr. Mason, received the earlier part of his education; but he pursued his academical studies, as a candidate for the ministry, under the Rev. Rev. and learned John Jennings, who conducted a very respectable seminary, about the year 1719, at Kibworth, and then at Hinkley, in Leicestershire. When he had finished his academical course, he became chaplain and private tutor in the family of Governor Feakes, at his seat near Hatfield. In 1729-30, he accepted an invitation to the pastoral charge of a congregation at Dorking, in Surry, where he continued, held in high estimation, both as a preacher and a friend, till July the 6th, 1746. To his hearers, he was able at the close, of seventeen years' ministry, to appeal for their testimony to the sincerity and earnestness of his labours in the cause in which he appears to have engaged from his heart. In this year, upon the invitation of a large and respectable congregation of dissenters, he removed to Cheshunt in Hertfordshire, where he spent the remainder of his days, as a very useful preacher. Nor was he less known as an author. During this period he found time, amidst his other other important engagements, for the education of several young gentlemen for the ministry and the course of polemical lectures, which he read to them, were printed in the Protestant Dissenter's Magazine, for the years 1794, 1795 and 1796. After a life devoted to the attainment and diffusion of useful knowledge, he died February 10th, 1763, in the 58th year of his age; his death was occasioned by a cold caught from a fog and mist, with which he was surrounded, as he went to visit a friend about two miles from Cheshunt. He left behind him a widow, the daughter of the Rev. James Waters of Uxbridge; but no child to exhibit a father's virtues, or emulate his example. He was buried in the church-yard of Cheshunt, where there is the following inscription to his memory. Here rests all that was mortal Of the late rev. learned and pious who |