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 ...

III. As to such Writings as will more immediately serve our Devotion, and tend to advance us to the highest Degrees of Perfection in the Spiritual Life.

First, For Reading.

• Ephraem Syri Opera Omnia cum Scholiis Ger. Vossii.
• Sancti Basilii Ascetica & Moralia.
• Sancti Hieronymi Ascetica & Moralia.
• Sancti Augustini Ascetica & Moralia.
• Bibliotheca Patrum Ascetica, sive Selecta Patrum de Chri∣stiana & Religiosa perfectione Opuscula, 3 Vol. 4o.

N. Per Scientiam As∣ceticam intelligitur ea quae ad perfectionem obtinendam, at{que} ad Vitia Eradicanda, Vertutesque plantandas Ordinatur: tanto{que} magis necessaria est Pastori, quanto magis proprium est illius Officium, Animas sibi commissas dirigere & Juvare, ut quis{que} perfectionem suo statui convenientem consequatur. Lohneri Instruc. Pract. 4ta. p. 24.

• Bernardi Opera.
• Thomae a Kempis Opera, praecipue de imitatione Christi.

• Gersonis Cancellarii Parisiensis Opera.
• Erasmi Enchiridion Militis Christiani, 12o.
• Drexellii Opera.
• Sales Bp. of Geneva's Introduction to a Holy Life, 12o.
• Bellarmini Opuscula, viz.
  • De Ascentione Mentis ad Deum.
  • De Aeterna faelicitate Sanctorum.
  • De Gemitu Columbae.
  • De 7 Verbis Christi in Cruce.
  • De Arte bene Moriendi.
• Robert Parson's Christian Directory or of Holy Resolution, 8o.
• Card. Bonae,
  • Manuductio ad Coelum.
  • Principia & Documenta Vitae Christianae.
  • Via Compendii ad Deum.
  • De Divina Psalmodia, 4o.
  • Horologium Asceticum, 4o.
• Lud. Granatensis Opuscula Spiritualia Varia.
• Causin's Christian Diary, 12o.
• —Entertainments for Lent, 12o.
• Drellincourt on Death 8o.
• Dr. Sherlock on Death, 8o.
• —Judgment, 8o.
• Dr. Horneck's Great Law of Consideration, 8o.
• — Happy Ascetick, 8o.
• —Delight and Judgment, 12.

N. These and the like Books in which there is found a more than ordinary Spirit of Piety, Devotion and Heavenly-minded∣ness, are such as will scarcely fail to mould those into a like temper of mind, who are much conversant in them; even as we are insensibly form'd into the Ha∣bits and Manners of those persons with whom we constantly converse; and there∣fore I think that Books of this nature cannot be too much under our Eye.

Secondly, To promote Religious Conference amongst us, ought to be often read.

• Dr. Goodman's Winter Evenings Conference, 3 Parts, 8o.

N. Christianity being the highest and noblest Philosophy, as the Primitive Fathers where wont to stile it, and lov'd to call it, it becomes us who are its Ministers, upon all occasions, and in all manner of becoming Methods, to express our Sentiments of it as such; And therefore if we scarcely ever find two or three of the Antient Philosophers met together, but the Result was some excellent Disquisition upon Morality, as may be seen in Cicero, Plutarch, and others; How infinitely becoming our Character and Profession is it, to make the great things of another World the Subject of our Conversation, and never to break up, till (as a great Prelate of our Church was wont to call upon his Friends to do, before they parted,) we have warm'd each others Hearts with an Affection to the things above. And therefore as to create in us a contempt of all Discourse when we meet together that savours in the least of Froth and Levity; and to inure our selves to a Manly Con∣versation, as it would be of good advantage in our reading of Plato's, Cicero's, and Plutarch's Morals, nicely to observe the antient way of Dialogues, that we may learn how with dexterity to introduce, and with a right management to carry on a Philosophic and Elevated Conversation; so to perfect it by making it Religious and Divine, we cannot too often read the now mentioned Winters Evening Conference, as also Dr. Hen. Moor's Divine Dialogues, recom∣mended above, p. 26. if it were only on purpose to form our Souls into the like Divine Spirit and Genius with those Excellent Writers.

Thirdly, To direct us in the Excellent Art of Di∣vine Meditation:

• Barth. Riccius de modo rectè Meditandi de rebus Divinis, 8o.
• Lud. Granatensis de Oratione & Meditatione, 12o.
• Bp. Hall's Art of Divine Meditation, in his Works.
• —Meditations, in his Works.
• —Contemplations, in his Works.
• Gerardi Meditationes, in his Works.

Lastly, Helps for Actual Devotion.

1. For the better Performance of Publick Worship.

• Bp. Sparrow's Rationale on the Common-Prayer, 12o.
• Dr. Beveridge's Sermon concerning the Excellency and Usefulness of the Common-Prayer.
• Dr. Comber's Companion to the Temple. Fol.

2. Helps for private Devotion.

• Bp. Wittenhal's Enter into the Closet. 12o.
• Bp. Wilkins's Gift of Prayer. 8o.
• Dr. Sherlock of Winwick, his Practical Christian, or Devotions in Four Parts. 8o.
• Bp. Patrick's Devout Christian. 8o.
• Inet's Guide to the Devout Christian. 8o.
• Bp. Andrew's Manual of Private Devotions. 8o.
• —Gr. & Lat. è Theatro. 12o.
• A. Bp. Laud's Devotions for the Hours of Prayer. 8o.
• Bp. Cosins's Hours of Prayer.

N. These latter have provided De∣votions for the several Hours of Prayer, which is both a Primitive, and most excellent Method of Devotion. As to its Antiquity, see Cardinal Bona de Divina Psalmodia, who C. 3, &c. De varia Diei & noctis Di∣visione, does treat upon that Subject. And as for the excellency of this Pri∣mitive Method of Devotion, I suppose it must needs tend to maintain alive the Fire of the Altar, to have it so frequently stir'd up; besides, that the determinate Times call upon us to that, which, if left to be perform'd at plea∣sure, will be in great danger of being forgot or neglected, through the multi∣tude of business. And I could wish that there were some short Ejaculations and Prayers collected out of our Psalms and Collects for the Country People, which by the frequent hearing of 'em in our Divine Service, would be easily got by Heart. And as the shortness thereof would make it easie for 'em to lift up their Souls in Pious Thoughts, without Interuption to, nay in the midst of their worldly Imployments; so that constant Exercise of such Devotion re∣curring

every third Hour in the Day, would elevate their Spirits Heaven∣ward, and keep 'em up in a perpetual Elevation above the things of this World. But to proceed, there only wants to compleat the Provision of Books I would desire for Devotion, and with that the first Theological part of our Parochial Libraries, to have some of the best Sacramental Devotions, of which the Piety of Learned Men of our own Church have furnish'd us, of late Years, with such excellent choice; as,

• Bp. Patrick's Christian Sacrifice, 8o.
• Weeks Preparation for the Sacrament.

N. Also upon this oc∣casion may be us'd, Sacramental Devotions at the end of the Whole Duty of Man; as also, Kettlewel's Help and Exhortation to Devout and Worthy Communicating.