THE STUDENT AND PASTOR: OR, Directions how to attain to Eminence 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 extensive use; 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 treatifes on this fubject) I don't remember to have feen any thing in our own language fo A 2 compre comprehenfive of the Student's and Paftor's Office, or which represents both in fo short a view. Oftervald de l'Exercife du Ministére (which a learned and valuable friend recommended to me when I was collecting thefe thoughts) comes the nearest to my plan, both in method and precifion, of any thing I have feen. But as that is written in French, and is confined to the duties of the ministeral function, without any directions in the preparatory ftudies, I thought it not fufficient to fuperfede the profecution of my defign. 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 enthusiasm 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 reSA pelled, |