Bibliotheca parochialis: or, A scheme of such theological heads both general and particular, as are more peculiarly requisite to be well studied by every pastor of a parish. Part. I. Together with a catalogue of books which may be read upon each of those points. / By Thomas Bray ...

X.

And since it has been found by Experience in every Age, that the success of all our Labours, whether in Preaching or Disputing, depends entirely, in a man∣ner, upon the Holiness of our Lives: And through the Malignity of the World, (which is more quick∣sighted to discern the minutest Failures, than the most shining Vertues of the Ministers of Religion) the scan∣dals of one vicious Clark shall Influence a Parish to more Wickedness, and occasion the Peoples running more into Heresie and Schism, than the Industry and Piety of Ten the most Vertuous and Laborious of the Clergy shall be able to retrieve from either. To compleat our American Clergy for the Purposes of their Ministry, and our Libraries also, for the Purposes also

of making 'em fit for it, and successful in it: lt is de∣sir'd they should have always before 'em such Authors as will first direct 'em in their Studies, Offices, and Duties, and excite them to Care and Vigilance in the Practice of them. Secondly, as will lay before them the Best Examples of each to be a Copy and Pattern for them to follow: And lastly, such Materials and Helps for Devotion, as will advance 'em to the high∣est degrees of Perfection in a Holy and Spiritual Life.

These foregoing Heads are a train of such Theological Points, as with submission to better Judgments, are thought to be of more Immediate concernment both to Minister and People; to the former, to be throughly read, to the latter, to be well instructed in. There are besides these other parts of Knowledge also, which may be very subservient to Theology, but they being rather to be esteemed accessary, and in some measure useful, than absolutely necessary for the Physician of Souls to be skill'd in, they may perhaps have a particular draught made of them distinctly by themselves.