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COURSE OF ECCLESIASTICAL STUDIES

Established by the House of Bishops, in the Convention of 1804, in pursuance of a Resolution of the preceding General Convention.

IN attending to this subject, a considerable difficulty occurs, arising out of the difference of the circumstances of students, in regard not only to intellectual endowments, and preparatory knowledge of languages and science, but to access to authors, and time to be devoted to a preparation for the ministry. For, in accommodating to those whose means are slender, we are in danger of derogating from the importance of religious knowledge; while, on the other hand, although we should demand all that is desirable, we shall be obliged to content ourselves, in some cases, with what is barely necessary.

In consideration of the above, it will be expedient to set down such a course of study as is accommodated to a moderate portion of time and means: and afterward to suggest provision, as well for a more limited, as for a more enlarged share of both.

Let the student be required to begin with some books in proof of the divine authority of Christianity, such as Grotius on the Truth of the Christian Religion; Jenkins on the Reasonableness of Christianity; Paley's Evidences; Leslie's Methods with the Jews and Deists; Stillingfleet's Origines Sacra; and Butler's Analogy. To the above should be added some books which give a knowledge of the objections made by deists. For this, Leland's View may be sufficient; except that it should be followed by answers to deistical writers since Leland, whose works and the answers to them may be supposed known to the student. It would be best, if circumstances permit, that he should read what the deists themselves have written.

After the books in proof of revelation, let the student, previously to the reading of any system of divinity, study the Scriptures, with the help of some approved commentators, such as Patrick and Lowth on the Old Testament, and Hammond, or Whitby, or Doddridge, on the New; being aware, in regard to the last mentioned author, of the points on which he differs from

our church, although it be with moderation and candor. During such, his study of the Scriptures, let him read some work or works which give an account of the design of the different books, and the grounds on which their respective authority is asserted; for instance, Father Simon's Canon of Scripture; Collier's Sacred Interpreter; Gray's Key to the Old Testament, and Percy's Key to the New. Let the student read the Scriptures over and over, referring to his commentators as need may require, until he can give an account of the design and character of each book, and explain the more difficult passages of it. He is supposed to know enough of profane history, to give an account of that also, whenever it mixes with the sacred. There are certain important subjects which may be profitably attended to, as matters of distinct study, during the course of the general study of Scripture. For instance: the student having proceeded as far as the deluge, may read some author who gives a larger account than the commentators, of the particulars attached to that crisis; and also the principles on which are founded the different systems of chronology; all which will be found clearly done in the Universal History. In reading the book of Leviticus, it will be useful to attend to some connected scheme of the sacrifices; such as is exhibited by Bishop Kidder in his Introduction to the Pentateuch, and by Mr. Joseph Mede in some of his discourses. A more full and interesting interpretation of the prophecies than can be expected from the commentators, will be desirable, and for this purpose let Bishop Newton's work be taken. Between the study of the Old Testament and that of the New, should be read Prideaux's and Shuckford's Connexions. With the New Testament should be taken some book relating to the Harmony of the Gospels, as M'Knight's or Bishop Newcome's. Let the student, before entering on the Gospels, read Dr. Campbell's Introductory Dissertations. Towards the close of the Gospels, the subject of the Resurrection should be particularly attended to: for which purpose, let there be taken either Mr. West on the subject, or Bishop Sherlock's Trial of the Witnesses.

After the study of the Scriptures, let attention be given to ecclesiastical history, so far as to the Council of Nice. This period is distinctly taken, from a desire that the portion of history preceding it, as well as the opinions then entertained, may be learned from original writers, which may be considered as one of the best expedients for the guarding of the student against many errors of modern times. The writers of that interval are not numerous or bulky. Eusebius is soon read through; and so are the Apostolic Fathers. Even the other writers are not voluminous, except Origen, the greater part of whose works may be passed

336 COURSE OF ECCLESIASTICAL STUDIES.

over.

The Apostolic Fathers may be best read in Cotelerius' edition; but there are translations of most of them, by Archbishop Wake and the Rev. William Reeves.-Cave's Lives of the Apostles and Fathers may be profitably read at this period.

This stage of the student's progress seems the most proper for the study of the two questions, of our LORD's Divinity, and of Episcopacy. The aspect of early works on these subjects, best enables us to ascertain in what shape they appear to the respective writers. And it is difficult to suppose, on the ground of what we know of human nature, that, during the first three centuries, either the character of CHRIST should have been conceived of as materially different from what had been the representation of it by the first teachers of our religion; or, that there should have been a material change of Church Government, without opposition to the innovation. For the former question, let the works of Bishop Bull and the Rev. Charles Leslie be taken: to which may well be added, the late controversy between Bishop Horsley and Dr. Priestley; and for the latter, Mr. Hooker's Ecclesiastical Policy, Archbishop Potter on Church Government, and Daubeny's Guide to the Church. As the Lord Chancellor King published a book on the Discipline of the Primitive Church, in which he has rested Episcopacy on insufficient grounds, unwarily admitted by many on his authority-let the student read his book, and the refutation of it in Mr. Slater's Original Draft of the Primitive Church.

After this, let the student go on with the History of the Fourth Century, from Mosheim. But it will be of advantage to him to turn to Fleury's History, for the epitomes there given of the writings of the eminent men who abounded in that century and part of the next. Let him then return to Mosheim, and go on with that writer to the Reformation. Here let him pause and study, as the main hinges of popery, its pretences to supremacy and infallibility, on which there will be found satisfactory matter in Mr. Chillingworth's Religion of Protestants a safe Way to Salvation, and Dr. Barrow's Treatise of the Pope's Supremacy. Here also let there be read Father Paul's History of the Council of Trent. Then let the student resume Mosheim. But it will be best, if, for a more minute knowledge of the History of the Church of England since the Reformation, he take along with him Collier's History a very able work, but in the reading of which some allowance must be made for peculiar prejudices. On coming, in the reign of Elizabeth, to the questions which arose between the divines of the Established Church and the Presbyterians, then known by the name of Puritans, let recourse be again had to Mr.

Hooker's work, and to the London Cases. Then let Mosheim be proceeded with to the end.

After these studies, and not before, let Divinity be read in a systematic method. Bishop Pearson's Exposition of the Creed may be considered as a small system, and, on account of the excellence of the work, is recommended; as also, Bishop Burnet's Exposition of the Thirty-Nine Articles. Then let a larger system be taken; suppose Stackhouse's Body of Divinity, with the addition of the following modern works: Elements of Christian Theology, by the present bishop of Lincoln, and The Scholar Armed. That many works of this sort are not mentioned, is because we think their utility is principally confined to arrangement, and suppose that the knowledge they convey, is to be obtained from the Scriptures, and judicious Commentators.

It seems necessary to this course of study, to recommend the Sermons of some of the distinguished preachers, who have so abounded in the Church of England for some ages past, and the only matter will be, from among many of great name, to select a convenient number. And for this purpose we refer to the list at the end.

It seems not unnecessary to require attention to the History of the Common Prayer, the grounds on which the different services are constructed, and the meaning of the Rubrics. Perhaps a careful study of Dr. Wheatley, on the Common Prayer, and the late work of Mr. Reeves, will be sufficient.

Some books should be read on the Duties of the Pastoral Office, such as St. Chrysostom on the Priesthood, Bishop Burnet on the Pastoral Care, and Bishop Wilson's Parochialia. It is, however, to be remembered, that one reason for studying carefully the Book of Common Prayer, and its Rubrics, is, that by the help of these, in connexion with what belongs in Scripture to the Ministerial character, sufficient information of its duties may be had. A knowledge of the Constitution and the Canons should be held absolutely necessary. And it is to be hoped that they will, on this account, be soon published, detached from the Journals.

To set down what books shall be essential, no Student to be ordained without being fully prepared to answer on them, is more difficult. The lowest requisition is as follows: Paley's Evidences; Mosheim, with a reference to Mr. Hooker, for the Episcopacy; Stackhouse's Body of Divinity; and Mr. Reeves on the Common Prayer; the Constitution and Canons of the Church; allowing in the Study of the Scriptures, a latitude of choice among approved Commentators; it being understood, that if the student cannot, on the grounds contained in some good commentary, give

an account of the different books, and explain such passages, as may be proposed to him, this is of itself a disqualification.

In the beginning it was intimated, that the course to be recommended would be disproportionate to the means of some, and fall short of what would be within the compass of others. For the benefit of the latter, we publish the following list of books, on the different branches of ecclesiastical knowledge.

During the whole course of study, the student will endeavor, by the grace of Gon, to cultivate his heart by attention to devotional and practical treatises; several of which will be mentioned in the general list that follows.

LIBRARY FOR A PARISH MINISTER.

Prefixed to "Elements of Christian Theology," published by the Right Rev. the present Bishop of Lincoln.

"The books mentioned are divided into four classes.

"The first, containing such as relate to the Exposition of the Old and New Testaments: the second, such as serve to establish the Divine authority of the Scriptures: the third, such as explain the Doctrines and Discipline of the Church, and the Duties of its Ministers and the fourth, Miscellaneous, including Sermons and Ecclesiastical History."

CLASS THE FIRST.

Bible, with marginal references, 8vo.
Crutwell's Concordance of Parallels, 4to.

Butterworth's Concordance, 8vo.

Patrick, Lowth, and Whitby, on the Old and New Testament, 6 vols. fol.

Doddridge's Family Expositor, 6 vols. 8vo.

Pool's Synopsis, 5 vols. fol.

Collier's Sacred Interpreter, 2 vols. 8vo.

Jenning's Jewish Antiquities, 2 vols. 8vo.

Lowman's Rationale of the Hebrew Ritual, 8vo.

Gray's Key to the Old Testament, 8vo.

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