Let the the Harmony of the Gospels, as McKnight's or Bishop Newcome's. student before entering on the Gospels, read Dr. Campbell's Introductory Dissertations. Toward 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 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, with out 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 Polity, 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 mean ing 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 connection with what belongs in Scripture to the Minis terial 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 pas sages 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 disproportioned 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 God, 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. Clarke's Evidences of Natural and Bible, with marginal references, 8vo. Lardner's Works, 11 vols. 8vo. 4to. Butterworth's Concordance, 8vo. Svo. Pool's Synopsis, 5 vols. fol. Paley's Evidences, 2 vols. 8vo. Collier's Sacred Interpreter, 2 vols. 8vo. Butler's Analogy, 8vo. Lowman's Rationale of the Hebrew Ritual, 8vo. Gray's Key to the Old Testament, Svo. Home's Scripture History of the Jews, 2 vols. 8vo. Parkhurst's Greek Lexicon, 4to. Campbell's Translation of the Gospels, 2 vols. 4to. Marsh's Michaelis, 3 vols. 8vo. Bowyer's conjectures on the New Testament, 4to. Macknight's Harmony, 4to. Newton, on the Prophecies, 2 vols. 8vo. Kett's History the Interpreter of Prophecy, 3 vols. 12mo. Leland, on the Divine Authority of the Old and New Testament, 2 vols. Svo. CLASS THE THIRD. Burnet's History of the Reformation, 3 vols. fol. Macknight on the Epistles, 3 vols. 4to. Burnet's Exposition of the Thirty Lowman on the Revelation, 8vo. Oliver's Scripture Lexicon, 8vo. Nine Articles, 8vo. Burnet's Pastoral Care, 8vo. Macbean's Dictionary of the Bible, 8vo. Pearson, on the Creed, 2 vols. 8vo. CLASS THE SECOND. Nicholls, on the Common Prayer, 8vo. Stillingfleet's Origines Sacræ, 2 vols. Wall, on Infant Baptism, 2 vols. 8vo. 8vo. Clarke's Grotius, 8vo. Secker, on the Catechism, 12mo. The Homilies, by Sir Adam Gordon, | Mosheim's Ecclesiastical History, 6 8vo. vols. 8vo. Burns' Ecclesiastical Law, 4 vols. 8vo. Common-place Book to the Holy Bible, 4to. Barrow's Works, 3 vols. folio. In addition to the preceding, may be recommended the following List of Sermons, and Devotional and Practical Books. By order of the House of Bishops, WILLIAM WHITE, D.D., Presiding Bishop. INDEX TO CANONS. PAGE Canon I. Of the Orders of Ministers in this Church. II. Of the Election of Bishops (repealed by Canon I., 1835)... III. Of the Certificates to be produced on the part of the Bishops Elect......... V. Of the Consecration of Bishops during the Recess of the General Convention. VII. Of the Performance of Episcopal Duties in Vacant Dioceses (repealed by VIII. Of the Age of those who are to be ordained or Consecrated. IX. Of Candidates for Orders, (repealed by Canon IV., 1838). XIV. Of the Preparatory Exercises of a Candidate for Deacons' Orders (repealed by XV. Of the testimonials to be produced on the part of those who are to be ordained XVI. Of Candidates coming from places within the United States in which the Constitution of this Church has not been acceded to......... XVIII. Of the Preparatory Exercises of a Candidate for Priests' Orders........... XIX. Of the Titles of those who are to be ordained Priests.... XXI. Of those who have officiated as Ministers among other Denominations of Christians, and apply for Orders in this Church (repealed by Canon III., XXIII. Of Clergymen Ordained by Foreign Bishops, or by Bishops not in Communion with this Church, and desirous of Officiating or Settling in this Church XXVI. Of the Duty of Ministers in regard to Episcopal Visitations............. XXX. Of the Election and Institution of Ministers into Parishes or Churches.. XXXI. Of the Officiating of Ministers of this Church in the Churches, or within the XXXVI. Of the Officiating of Persons not Ministers of this Church XXXVII. Of Offences for which Ministers shall be Tried and Punished.. XXXVIII. Of a Minister declaring that he will no longer be a Minister of this Church... XXXIX. Of Degradation from the Ministry, and of Publishing the Sentence thereof... XL. Of a Clergyman in any Diocese, chargeable with Misdemeanor in any other.. XLIII. Of a Congregation in any Diocese uniting with any other Diocese XLIV. Of the Mode of Publishing Authorized Editions of the Standard Bible of this |