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 ...

II. To understand the particular Articles thereof; namely,

First, The Mercies on God's part, viz.

1. Justification or Pardon of Sins, may be read

• Mr. Allen against Ferguson, 8o. and
• —on Justification, 8o.
• Doctoris Bulli Harmonia Apostolica, 4o.
• Joseph Truman's Endeavours to rectifie some prevailing Opinions contrary to the Doctrines of the Church of England, 8o.
• Doctoris Tullii Justificatio Paulina, 4o.
• Doctoris Bulli Examen Censurae quo Trumanno respondit a pagina, 149. us{que} ad 173. & Tullio in Apologia sua pro Harmonia quae ad Calcem Examinis Censurae extat, 4o.
• Dr. Bates's Sermons of Forgiveness, 8o.

N. Legatur & Dio∣nysiii Petavii Dogma∣ta, Lib. 10. Cap. 16.17, 18, 19, 20, 21. Expositions of the Creed upon the Article of the Forgiveness of Sins. The Systems also in Locum de Ju∣stificatione.

2. Divine Grace and Assistance, upon which may be read.

• Vossii Historia Pelagiana, 4o.
• Augustini Polemica contra Pelagianos.

• Hieronymi polemica contra Pelagianos.
• Mr. Allen of Divine Assistance, 12o.
• Dr. Claget of the Operations of the Holy Spirit, 2 Vol. 8o.

N. Here also Read the Expositions of the Creed upon the Article of the Holy Ghost, Dr. Scot's Christian Life, Part 2. p. 578. Dr. Hammond's pacifick Discourse of God's Grace and Decrees, among his pra∣ctical Discourses, p. 551. Petavii Dogmata, Lib. 10. The Summists and Systems in Locum de Gratia.

3. Everlasting Life and Happiness.

• Lactantius de Vita Beata, Instit. Lib. 7.
• Chrysostomus de praemiis Sanctorum.
• Bellarminus de Aeterna faelicitate.
• Lessius de Summo Bono inter Opuscula.
• Mr. Baxter's Saints Everlasting Rest, 4o.
• Bishop Taylor's Contemplations of the State of Man, 8o.

N. Hic etiam Legatur Vir∣gilii Aeneid. Lib. Sextus, quo tota Doctrina Paganorum de justorum Gaudiis, Impiorum{que} suppliciis habetur. Item Cicero Ora. pro Archia Poeta, & Lib. 1. Tusculan. Questio∣num de contemnenda morte: As also the Expositions on the Creed up∣on the Article Everlasting Life. Mr. Mede of Different Degrees of Re∣ward in the Life to come, B. 1. Disc. 23. p. 48. The Summs and Systems also in Locum de summo bono.

Secondly, The Conditions to be performed on our part, viz.

1. Faith and the Doctrines thereof contain'd in the Apostles Creed. And since on this Subject the first thing to be consider'd, is the Nature and Pro∣perties of Justifying Faith; The second, the Objects or Articles to be believed, vix. those contain'd in the Apo∣stles Creed; towards the full understanding therefore of this great Article of the Covenant.

First, Upon the Nature and Properties of Justifying and Saving Faith.

• Basilius de Vera & Pia Fide.

N. And amongst the Moderns it will be proper to read on this prime Subject the several Expositors of the Creed immediately hereafter specified, which treat upon the words, I believe; and particularly Dr. Barrow's Exposition thereof, from p. 1. to p. 68 Mr. Allen's Discourse on the two Covenants; especially his Appendix to the Discourse touching the Nature of that Faith which is Justifying, and that which is not; and the Reason of that Difference. Dr. Bull's Har∣monia Evangelica; as also his Examen Censurae Harmoniae Evangelicae. Dr. Jackson, Tom. 1. from p. 1. to p. the 10th, and from p. the 601. to p. the 832. In the Oxford Paraphrase, the Preface to the Ep. to the Rom. As also the several Summaries and Systems herein mentioned on the common place de Fide. But more especially Dr. Hammond of Faith in his Pract. Cat. Le Blanc's Thesis prima de Fide.

Secondly, On the Objects to be Believed, it is wished they may be supplyed with.

1. Historical Discourses of the Antiquity and Authority of the Creed.

• J. G. Vossius de Tribus Symbolis. 4o.
• Usserius de Romanae Ecclesiae Symbolo Apostolico vetere & aliis Fidei formulis. 4o.
• Ashwel's Fides Apostolica, with his Double Appen∣dix, the 1st touching the Athanasian, the 2d the Nicene Creed. 8o.

N. Here also read Ellies Du Pin's New History of Ecclesiastical Writers, Vol. 1. p. 9. Dr. Heylin's Preface to his Theolo∣gia Veterum. Dr. Cave's Lives of the Fathers of the fourth Century, in which there is so ample an History of Creeds.

2. With Expositions upon all, or most of the several Articles of the Creed it self.

First, The Expositions of the Antient Fathers.

• Cyrilii Hierosolymi••ani Catecheses 18.
• Gregorii Nysseni Catechetica magna Oratio.
• Sancti Epiphanii Anchoratus; qui complures Fi∣dei par••es continct.
• Ruffini Expositio Symboli ad Laurentium Episco∣pum. Extat ad calcem Cypriani.
• Augustinus de Fide & Symbolo.
• — Enchiridion ad Laurentium de Fide, Spe, & Charitate.
• — De Agone Christiano Liber. N. In quo ad finem, Symbolum Exponitur, & Haereses Contrariae refelluntur.
• —De Symbolo sive Regula Fidei ad Catechu∣menos.
• Ambrosii in Symbolum Apostolicum Tractatus.
• Theodoretus Haereticarum Fabularum Libro Quinto.

Secondly, The Exposition of the later Writers.

• Dr. Heylin's Theologia veterum. Fol.

N. I place him first, because giving something of the History of the several Articles.

• Petavii Dogmata 5 Vol. Fol.
• Dr. Jackson's Works. 3 Vol. Fol.
• Bp. Pearson on the Creed. Fol.
• Dr. Towerson on the Creed. Fol.
• Dr. Barrow on the Creed. Fel.
• Mr. Kettlewel's Practical Believer. 8o.

• Dr. Hen. Moor's Mystery of Godliness, Fol.
• Dr. Scot's Christian Life, 2d Part. Vol. 1. & 2d.

N. These two last Pieces may be reckoned amongst the Expositions of the Apostles Creed; since they treat upon all or most of its Ar∣ticles, though not altogether in the same order as they lie therein.

2. Evangelical Obedience, to understand the true State and Extent of which vast and comprehensive Article of that Covenant entred into betwixt God and us at our Baptism, and so indispensable a condition of our Salvation, as this is; First, Because all Duty is measured by some Law, as its Rule; and a Duty is more or less necessary or incumbent upon us, accord∣ing to the Nature and Obligation of the several kind of Laws that may oblige us thereunto; Secondly, Al∣so because the Acts of some Duties do so nearly bor∣der upon Vices, and the Duties themselves interfering; it is necessary we should be able to state the measures and extent of every single Duty, and to know accord∣ing to the variety of Circumstances occurring, to which of the interfering Duties the preference in pra∣ctice is to be given; And Thirdly, Since through the course of a Man's Life (especially where our People are consciencious, and to render all Men such, is the work we are to mind) there will arise several Cases of Conscience (especially in their Sickness, a time of Doubts and Fears) which every Pastor of a Flock ought to be able to Resolve: And these Cases being Doubts about the Lawfulness, or Unlawfulness, or

Indifference of Actions, arising either from the inter∣fering of several Laws, and different Duties, or from the Ignorance of the Force and Obligation of those several Laws respectively, and of the just Limits of every Duty; it is not possible the Case should be re∣solv'd with safety of the Penitents Innocence, or the Tranquillity of his Mind, if we are ignorant of the Nature and Obligation of the Laws obliging, and the Duties resulting from them; All these things considered, I humbly conceive it is very requisite, as it is expected we should be useful to the World, that we should be very well provided of some of the best Authors up∣on each of these particulars: That is, First, Upon the Nature and Obligation of Law in general, and of the different kinds of Laws in particular: Secondly, Upon Duties obligatory upon us from those several kinds of Laws: Thirdly, Upon Casuistry, whereby the Difficulties that shall upon any occasion perplex Persons Consciences, with reference to those Laws, and the Duties resulting from thence, may be resol∣ved. And,

First, As to the Nature and Obligation of Law in general, as also the Nature, Division and Obligation of the several kinds of Laws in particular; To great Use and Purpose, may be read upon this Sub∣ject, and accordingly it is desired our Pastor should be provided of.

• Suarez de Legibus. Fol.

• Dawson's Origo Legum: Or, a Treatise of the Origin of Laws, and their obliging Power: As also of their great Variety; And why some Laws are Immutable, and some not, but may suffer Change, or cease to be, or be suspended, or Abrogated, Fol.

N. Hic etiam Legatur Aquinatis summae, 1. 2. a Quaestione 90. usque ad 109. Gerson Tract. de Vita Spirituali Lect. 2. & se∣quent. Et si Ciceronem audiamus, nullo in genere disputandi, quam de jure, magis honestè patefit, quid sit homini tributum Naturà, quantam vim rerum optimarum mens humana Continent, cujus muneris colendi, efficiendi{que} causa nati, & in lucem editi simus, quae sit conjunctio hominum, quae Naturalis so∣cietas inter se. Cicero de Legibus Lib. 1. Sect 4.

Secondly, As to the Duties Obligatory upon us from these several Laws.

1. From the Law of Nature: such as are deducible from the Law written in our Hearts, may be seen.

First, In the Antient Philosophers, viz.

• Plato de Legibus.
• Cicero de Legibus.
• — De Officiis.

N. As also in all, or most of the Antient Moralists a∣bove mentioned: For as Suarez prooemio ad Lib. de Legibus. Aristoteles licet proprium Opus de Legibus non reliquerit in suis moralibus multa sparsim de Legibus tradidit, sicut & Seneca, Plutarchus, & Alii.

Secondly, In the later Writers upon the Laws of Nature and Nations.

• Gulielmus Grotius de Principiis Juris Natura∣lis. 12o.
• Hugo Grotius de jure Belli & Pacis. 8o.

N. And especially upon this Subject ought to be read those Books, which have been particularly written to Antidote Men against the Poyson of Hobbs's Principles.

• Doctoris Henrici Mori Ethica 8o.
• Bp. Cumberland de Jure Naturae & Gentium. 4o.
• Mr. Tyrril's Epitome of Bp. Cumberland's Law of Nature. 8o
• Sharrock de Officiis secundum Naturae Jus; Seu de Moribus ad Rationis normam conformandis Doctrina, unde Principia, item & Rationes Hobbesii ad Ethicam & Politicam Spectantes, quatenus huic Hypothesi contradicere videan∣tur, in Examen Veniunt. 8o.
• Puffendorf de Jure Naturae & Gentium. 4o.
• — De Officio Hominis & Civis. 8o.
• Parker's Demonstration of the Laws of Nature. 4o.
• Lowd's Discourse of the Nature of Man, both in his Natural and Political Capacity, both as he is a Rational Creature, and Member of Civil Society; with an Examination of some of Mr. Hobbs's Opinions relating hereunto. 8o.
• Dr. Echard's Dialogues between Timothy and Philautus. 8o.

Thirdly, And for a Nexus between the Laws Natural and Reveal'd, may be read.

• Selden de Jure Naturae & Gentium Juxta Di∣sciplinam Hebraeor. 4o.
• Mosaicarum & Romanarum Legum Collatio ex Integris Papiniani, Pauli, Ulpiani, Gaii, Mode∣stini, Aliorumque veterum Juris Auctorum Libris, ante Tempora Justiniani Imperatoris desumpta. Inter Crit. Sacr. Tom. 8. p. 160.
• Crellii Ethica Aristotelica & Christiana, cum Dissertatione praemissa de virtutis Ethnicae, Hebraeae, at{que} Christianae invicem compara∣tione.

2. From the Written and Revealed Laws of God. And the Duties enjoin'd us therein are treated upon,

First, By Ancient Writers.

• Philo Judaeus de Decalogo.
• Clementis Alexandrini Paedagogus.
• — Stromata.
• Cyprianus Libro tertio Testimonior. ad Quirinum.
• Basilii Ethica, Item & Ascetica.
• Grego. Nyssenus de Beatitudinibus Orationes 8. Ambrosius de Officiis.

N. We shall indeed scarcely find many just and entire Bodies of Morality in the Writings of the Fathers; but what is wanting in the Art and Accuracy of their Composures, is abundantly recompenc'd in the Ex∣cellency of their Matter, for those admirable Persons speaking as they lived; as their contempt of the World, and their Mortifications of the Body, were wonderfully great, so their Thoughts were very sublime and elevated, and their Morality pure and refin'd. There are, true it is, many more pieces of Mo∣rality interspers'd in their Works; but these being for the most part, upon par∣ticular Subjects and Duties, they will fall in to be rang'd properly under the se∣veral Heads of Duty, of which I design hereafter, God willing, in a Second Part to draw a particular Scheme, and to exhibit a List, as well of the Antient, as more Modern Writers upon each single Duty.

Secondly, By later Authors: and those,

First, Such who have Written Exposi∣tions and Discourses upon the Deca∣logue and Beatitudes.

• Bp. Andrews. Fol.
• Grotius in 20 Cap. Exod. Inter Annotata.
• Andreae Riveti Expositio in 20 Cap. Exod. 4o.

• Dr. Towerson. Fol.
• Rawlet on the Decalogue. 8o.
• Bp. Hopkins's Exposition of the Ten Com∣mandments. 4o.
• Dr. Barrow's Exposition of the Decalogue. 12o.
• Buck on the Beatitudes. 8o.
• Norris on the Beatitudes. 8o.

N. And to pre∣vent or Cure the Pestilential Infusions of Antinomian Hereticks, who would erase out of the Minds of Christians all sense of Obligations upon 'em to observe, even the Duties of the Moral Law, may be properly and usefully enough here read, both the Discourses against the Antinomians hereafter mention'd, and also Suarez, de Legibus, Lib. 1. Ch. 18. 19. Petavii Dogmata, Lib. 10. C. 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27. Dr. Henry Moor's Mystery of Godliness, Book 8. Ch. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. Measures of Christian Obedience, Book 1. Ch. 1. Preface to Mr. Allen's Discourse on the two Covenants.

Secondly, Others who have written more compleat Tracts of Christian Morality upon the whole Body of Christian Du∣ties.

• Danaei Ethica Christiana. 4o.
• The whole Duty of Man, together with the other Pieces of that Author. Fol.
• Bp. Taylor's Holy Living and Dying. 8o.
• Dr. Scot's Christian Life. Part 1. and 4.
• Ketlewel's Christian Obedience. 8o.
• Mr. Baxter's Christian Directory. Fol.
• Sam. Cradock's Knowledge and Practice, with the Appendix. 4o.
• Rawlei's Christian Monitor. 8o.

N. Hic etiam legantur Magistri sententiarum Lib. 3. a Distim. 37. usque ad finem; etiiam Thomae Aquinatis Secunda Secundae, quae Anro contra non aestimanda, Item Commentarii in Sententias & in summam supra nomi∣nati.

3. From the positive Laws of Man.

First, Ecclesiastical; and that both

1. General, or from the Canon Laws of the Church in general.

• Arnoldi Corvini Jus Canonicum per Apho∣rismos explicatum, 8o.
• Francisci de Roye Institutiones Juris Cano∣nici. 8o. Par. 1681.

2. Particular, or from the Canon Law more especially in force in our own Country; As all that is said to be, which is not repugnant to the Prerogative Roy∣al, and to the Common and Statute Laws of this Kingdom.

• Rich. Cosini Ecclesiae Anglicanae Politeia in Tabulas digestas. Fol.
• Linwood's Provinciale. Fol.
• Reformatio Legum Ecclesiasticarum. Hen. 8. Ed. 6.
• Godolphin's Repertorium. 4o.
• Book of Canons.
• Sparrow's Collection of Canons. 4o.

N. Nor will it be thought that these are Authors in which a Divine is not concern'd, when it is consider'd, that many Important Cases, De Sponsalibus, de Nuptiis, &c. are no more de∣terminable in foro Conscientiae, than in foro Contentioso without a com∣petent Skill therein.

Secondly, Civil.

1. General or Imperial: Jus scilicet Civile seu Caesareum quod ab Imperiali Majestate pen∣det, quo omnes ferè populi utuntur.

• Zouche's Elementa Juris-Prudentiae. 12o.
• Justiniani Institutiones. 12o.
• Sheidewinus in Institutiones. 12o. Or,
• Corvinus in Institutiones. 12o. Or,
• Vinnii Commentarius in quatuor Libros In∣stitutionum. 4o. Or,
• Julii Pacii Isagogica in Institutiones Imperiales, Di∣gesta, Pandectas, Codicem, & Decretales. 8o.

N. How very use∣ful some degrees of knowledge at least, in the Civil Law may be to a Divine, will presently ap∣pear, when we come to speak of what Preliminaries are necessary to make a Casuist: But that a through Ʋnderstanding in all the Parts of that Noble Faculty is necessary, is more than I dare affirm, being deterr'd from that, more perhaps by the formidable Prospect of so vast a Field of Knowledge to be travers'd over, than by the reason of the thing. But however, that we may have a general View how large it is, take this Account from a Learned Civilian, Julius Pacius in his Isagogica. p. 1. Jus Civile à Justiniano Im∣peratore in tria Volumina redactarum est: Primum Institutionum, quo Juris Epitome Isagogica continetur: Alterum Digestorum seu Pandectarum,* 1.1 quod ex veterum Jure consultorum Libris compositum est: Ter∣tium Codicis, quo Imperatorum Constitutiones continentur, exceptis ipsius Justiniani Novellis, non uno tempore post compositionem Codicis promulgatis, quae in unum volumen à nescio quo relatae fuerunt. His sabjugi solent Feudales à privatis quibusdam Doctoribus literis Mandatae. Or as he elsewhere speaks, ib. p. 46. Institutioues tantum prima Juris e∣lementa continent, Codex practicas Decisiones habet; in Digestis tam Legis Theoria quam Praxis plenè habetur. And now if the two later are thought necessary to be search'd into by those only who are Practitioners

in foro contentioso: However the former; viz. Institutiones Justinia with some Commentators thereon, wherein are contain'd the Principia Boni & Aequi, are what it becomes no Divine to be a Stranger to. And that he may be sufficiently prepar'd for his Enquiries therein, I shall crave leave to add the Advice of that Great Man Hugo Grotius, which he gave his Brother, as the best Method wherewith he ought to begin his Studies of the Civil Law. Auctor sum ut rectè informeris ad Juris Disciplinam, an∣tequam attingas Scholasticos,* 1.2 diligentèr perlegas secundum Ethicorum, Nichomacheorum, & quintum apud Aristotelem, aut ejus Optimum Paraphrasten à D. Heinsio Editum. De∣indè ejusdem Aristotelis Rhetorica, quae seorsim extant cum erudito satis Commentario. Mox Ciceronis Officia, Paradoxa, de finibus, & de Legibus. Item Topica, & de Inventione. Inter legendum vero cui∣piam aut excerpas, aut diligenter ad Marginem Libri annotes ea, quae ad jus Naturae & Gentium, ad Legum ac Magistratuum originem, de∣nique ad Rempub. & jus tam publicum tam privatum pertinebunt. Thus this Great Man prescribes what is requisite to precede our entrance upon the Study of the Civil Law. And as to what Books are to be always ready at hand, when we are actually upon the study thereof; It will be necessary to have such Glossaries and Law Dictionaries as explain the Terms of Law, such as

• Jo. Calvini Lexicon magnum Juris Caesarii & Canonici. Fol.
• Bernardi Brissonii de Verborum quae ad Jus pertinent significatione Lib. 19 Francofurti. 1683. Fol.

2. Particular, or the Municipal Laws of our own Country; To have a general Insight into which, and to know the Reason and Grounds of 'em, as I do think it by no means foreign to the bu∣siness, even of a Parochial Minister; so I shall adventure to lay down these fol∣lowing Books, as proper to be read by him upon the Subject, viz.

• Cook's Institutes. 4 Vol. Fol.
• Doctor and Student, being two Dialogues be∣tween a Doctor in Divinity, and a Student in the Laws of England, of the Grounds of the said Laws, and of Conscience. 12o.
• Wingate's Maxims of Reason, or the Reason of the Common Law of England. Fol.

N. To which must be added for the Interpretation of Law Terms,

• Cowel's Interpreter, and Manley. Fol.
• Blount's Law Dictionary, Fol.

N. And to Apologize for prescribing Books of this Nature, I must take leave to Muster up both Authority and Reason for so doing. And I think Suarez, tho' a very Great Man, is not more considera∣ble for his Authority, than for the weight of his Reason in this case: Whose words are these: Nulli mirum videri debet, si homini Theologiam prositenti, Leges Incidant disputandae.* 1.3 Imo si res ipsa rectè dispiciatur, palam erit, ita Le∣gum Tractationem Theologiae ambitu concludi, ut Theologus subjectum ejus exhaurire non valeat, nísi legibus conside∣randis immoretur. Theologicum enim est negotium Conscientiis pro∣spicere viatorum; Conscientiarum vero rectitudo stat legibus servandis, sicut & pravitas Violandis, cum Lex quaelibet sit regula, si ut oportet servetur, aeternae salutis Assequendae; si violetur, amittendae; ergò & legis inspectio, quatenus est conscientiae Vinculum ad Theologum pertinebit. Tandèm Catholica fides non solùm docet quatenus paren∣dum sit Deo supernaturalitèr praecipienti, sed etiam quid natura vetat, Jubeat, vel permittat; & quatenùs obediendum sit potestatibus sub∣limioribus, ut Paulus dixit, atque adeo quatenùs parendum sit tum Ec∣clesiasticis Legibus, tum laicis, ante Oculos nobis ponit. Ergo ex his fidei fundamentis Theologi est Colligere, quid in hoc, aut in illo Le∣gum genere sit habendum.

And another Ingenious Author in speaking of those

Stu∣dies which are necessary for all Men of Ingenions Birth;* 1.4 As to the Law, he tells us, that every private Person is o∣blig'd to know so much of it as is necessary to keep what he has, and to do nothing against the Laws. Every one is thus far oblig'd by the Laws themselves, which presume that all Citizens are instructed therein, since they impute the Ignorance of them as

a fault, and punish it, either by the loss of Goods, if they have failed to observe the Laws in getting or preserving them, or by more severe Punish∣ments, if this Ignorance has betray'd 'em to some Crime.

And as to such an indifferent Knowledge thereof as is necessary to all, he makes it to consist in these three particulars: First,

In understanding the Terms of Business, and which we meet in the Ordinances, Customs, and other Law Books. Secondly, In Learning the most general Maxims of the Law which relate to particular Subjects, as of Tutelage, Successions, Marriages, the most usual Contracts, without entring into the Subtilties of the Law, or much affecting that Method: And lastly, the manner of prosecuting ones Right in Courts of Judicature, he tells us should be understood. And with∣out descending to all the particulars of the Process, the order of it in general should be observ'd, and the necessity there is, of exactly observing in Ju∣dicial Proceedings, the Forms establish'd. Thus far my Author.

But thus much is farther than I dare venture to declare my Mind, as being aware how jealous the World are, least we should be over skilful in this sort of Knowledge,* 1.5 tho' if we may believe a great Judge, Po∣tius Ingnoratio Legis Litigiosa est quam Scien∣tia.

And indeed, my great Design in prescribing thus much for the Knowledge of the Law, as I have done, is in order to enable us to discharge a quite contrary Duty to Litigiousness. It is doubtless our Duty above all others to be Peace-makers amongst our Neighbours; and in order to that, to offer our Assistance to compose their Differences: But how shall we be able to do that without some general Skill in the Grounds and Reason of our Laws, and e∣specially in the governing Maxims of it, which in few words do concisely In∣struct us in the Equity that pertains to most Cases. I say, in the governing Maxims of our Law, which alone will enable us to Arbitrate equitably be∣twixt Man and Man in most Cases: For as a Gentleman Learned in that Profession tells us;

The vast multitude of Cases which the Follies or Passi∣ons, or Necessities of Men have obliged us to be ac∣quainted with,* 1.6 are all Accountable and Reducible to some few Theses; which being prime Emanations, and Grand Maxims of Reason, govern and resolve the subordinate Miscellany of Queries, and may serve for a Clue and Conduct through the Labyrinth of that perplext Variety: Saving us the labour of charging our Memories with every Particular, which in the Result is less apt to profit, than to burthen and confound us.

Thirdly, As to Casuistical Divinity whose Office it is to determine the Particulars and single Instances of Christian Duty, and to resolve the Difficulties that shall at any time perplex Persons Consciences, with Reference to such Laws as prescribe their Duty, and to the particular Instances of the Duties them∣selves, which arise from the Obligation of such Laws:

1. As preliminary to the Attainment of so excellent, useful, and necessary a sort of Knowledge, it is clear that

• Aristotle's Rhetorick.
• Aquinas Secunda Secundae. And,
• Tully's Offices are such.

N. I take it to be clear, to a de∣monstration, that these Books, being well Studied, are excellent Preparations for a Casuist, because the Incomparable Bishop Sanderson own'd that these were the Books he Studied most when he laid the Foundation of his great and clear Learning, especially in this way.* 1.7 And it may also appear from the Life of the same Bishop, That Zouches Ele∣menta Juris prudentiae, 12o. will be very useful hereunto. And indeed, for the same Reason, All, or any of those foremention'd Books upon the Na∣ture and Obligation of Laws, and of the Laws of Nature and Nations, must have a singular Tendency this way. And if I may have leave to add but another, I know nothing more wanting as preliminary, to make a Man a good Casuist than a good Writer or two upon that Important Title in the Civil Law Lib. 50. Digestor Tit. 17. De Diversis Regulis Juris Antiqui. This Title contains very many Maxims of Law and Reason, such as are so many Principles and Maxims of greatest Evidence and Authority. And if this Prince of Casuists now mention'd may be our Pattern, it is certain that by virtue of such Postulata and self-evident, uncontested Principles of Reason and Morality, he was wont so satisfactorily to determine what was Lawful in the most knotty and intricate Cases. And those who have explicated and limited these Regulae Juris, have been.

• Jac Cujacius. 8o.
• Philippus Decius. 8o.
• Everand. Bronchrest. 12o.

2. To Perfect a Casuist may be read.

First, Generally; To enable him to resolve whatever Cases and Doubts may arise at any time in the Course of a Man's Life.

• Sanderson de Obligatione Conscientiae; also,
• —His Cases, and his Sermons.
• Bp. Taylor's Ductor Dubitantium. Fol.
• Lessius de jure & Justitia. Fol. Or.
• Lessii Compendium. 8o.
• Amesius de Conscientia & ejus Jure. 12o.
• Perkins's Cases of Conscience. Fol.
• Bp. Hall's Cases of Conscience. Fol.
• Dr. Hammon's Resolution to 6 Quaeries. In his Practical Discourses. Fol.
• Bp. Barlow's Cases of Conscience. 8o.

Secondly, More particularly to render him a good Confessor to the Sick and troubled in Mind.

• Mr. Kettlewel's Companion to the Penitent. 12o.
• —Death made Comfortable. 12o.
• Dr. Wake's Preparation for Death. 8o.
• Go in Peace, being Directions to a Young Di∣vine to Administer Discourse to the Necessities of the Sick. 8o.

N. Ʋpon this Occasion ought also to be perused, Lohneri Instructionis Practicae Institutio Tertia, complectens varios &

Solidos modos Juvandi & consolandi Diversorum Statuum personas Af∣flictas, praecipue aegras & Captivas. Item & Quinta Complectens de Confessionibus ritè & fructuosè Excipendis Doctrinas, tam Generales quam Speciales, ad Varios Hominum Status accommodatas: As also Taylor's Holy Dying, being the Second Part of his Book, Entituled Holy Living and Dying. And that useful Table of self Examination at the end of the Whole Duty of Man.

Now that most unreasonable and pernicious reservedness of Persons, in not opening their Consciences to the Ministers of our Church, especially as they ought, in times of Sickness, when it concerns 'em so much to take all the Care immaginable, and to require all the Assistance possible to help 'em to state their Accounts with God against the great Audit. Such Contempt, I say, in the People, of our Ghostly Counsel and Advice, has made this part of Penitential Divinity to be so much uncultivated by our English Divines. The Romish Church indeed, as they are in nothing more voluminous that in this, so they abound in Confessories and Penitentials: But instead of tying up the Conscience to the strictest Rules of Holy Living, the more peculiar business of a Casuist, by their great Doctrine of Probability, and some others of the like nature, their Moral and Casuistical, tend as much as their Doctrinal Divinity, to encourage Licen∣tiousness, and to make Mens Consciences easie in a course of unrepented sins; as is evident to those who have either read their own Authors, or what is Col∣lected to our hands, out of 'em, even by the Jansenists, Men of their own Com∣munion,

• In the Jesuits Morals. Fol.
• And the Mystery of Jesuitism. 8o. 5 Vol.

So that the Romish Casuistical and Penitential Divines, for the most part, can be read to little purpose of benefit, but with great danger of Corruption, ex∣cept it be by Learned Men, to enable them to demonstrate to the World, how far that Church is Apostatiz'd in all respects; Morals, as well as Doctrinals from the Truth of Christianity. However the Author above-mentioned, seems to me to have discharged this part of giving us Directions concerning our Visita∣tion of the Sick, with tolerable Honesty, as to most particulars. And to sup∣ply the Paucity of Authors of our own upon this Subject, we must make up the defect by such as have written upon the next, and last general condition of that Covenant established by the Mediation of Christ, betwixt God and Man, viz.

3. Repentance concerning which it is requisite our Indian Clerks should be furnish'd.

First, With some of the Writings of the Antients up∣on that Subject, if possible to be had.

• Tertullian de Paenitentia.
• Basilii ad Amphilochium Epistolae Canonicae Tres.
• Ambrosii de Paenitentia contra Novatianos Libri duo.
• Chrysostomus de compunctione Cordis ad Demetrium.
• —Ad Stelichium de eodem Argumento.
• —Ad Theodorum Lapsum Paraenesis.
• —De Paenitentia plurimae Homiliae

N. These and the like Books written by the Primitive Fa∣thers upon the Subject of Repentance and Penance, do infinitely deserve to be read through and through, by every Minister of the Church of Christ; and that not only, as they do most admirably describe the Nature and measures of true Repentance; But also the Discipline of the Antient Church, with reference to those who had laps'd into hainous Sins. An Account of which, if it were but represented to the People in our Discourses upon that Subject, how far would care∣less Sinners be from thinking that a slender Sorrow, and a Lord have mercy upon me, would be sufficient to reconcile them to God after a very wicked Life, and that only upon a Death-bed?

The Penitents for their parts, out of an Holy Indignation against themselves, for the sins they had committed, did in those days furrow their Cheeks with con∣tinual weeping, and became pale as Ghosts, by per∣petual fasting;* 1.8 and did day and night supplicate the God of Heaven for his Mercy in their Pardon.

* 1.9And such was the sense that the Church then had of the dishonour done to God by a flagitious Crime, such as they accounted Fornication, Adultery, Per∣jury, Murder, &c. that tho' the Penitents did prostrate themselves at the Church doors, and with Lamentations and Moans besought the Prayers of all that enter'd; embrac'd the Knees and kiss'd the Garments of the Brethren, imploring their In∣tercessions with God for Pardon, and that they

might be admitted here on Earth to Communion: Yet it was not without repeated Importunities, Mor∣tifications, and long continu'd Penances, that they were again receiv'd.

And indeed how would it awaken the stupid Wretches in these worst of Ages, to find how long the Penance of such who had fallen into the more deadly sins, was to continue, before they could be admitted to the Peace of the Church? Ʋpon Fornication,* 1.10 was impos'd a Penance of four years. Ʋpon a Woman that had procured an Abortion, ten. Ʋpon Adultery fifteen. For Perjury eleven. Even for an involuntary Mur∣ther, such as we call Manslaughter, eleven; and for voluntary Murther was impos'd a twelve years Penance. And not to men∣tion more: Those who renounced the Faith of Christ, were not to be admitted till the hour of Death. And though having been taken by Barbarians, they were forc'd thereunto by Torments, yet they were oblig'd to a Penance of eight years be∣fore they could be admitted to Communion with the Faithful.

And what then would they have impos'd upon those Miscreants of our days, who without force or compulsion; nay, who contrary to our Laws, and in defiance to their Authority and Penalties, do every day, out of the malignity of their own Hearts, deny the everlasting God, and their only Saviour Jesus Christ; And that with all the spight and scorn, not only in Transient Discourse, but in lewd Songs, and prophane Plays, (which being edg'd with Wit, and flying a∣broad, do corrupt the Minds of thousands, beyond their power ever afterwards to retrieve from the horrid Principles they have infus'd into 'em) what lasting Penances I say, would they have impos'd upon such? Would they have look'd upon it as a wonderful Honour forsooth, to God and Religion, to have such whisper privately upon their Death-bed a few Penitential Confessions within their Curtains? and then upon this would they administer to them the Sacra∣ment of Reconciliation, tho' they offer not so much as a publick and solemn Recantation of those impious Principles they have so industriously propagated, to the infinite Dishonour of God, and Destruction of those Souls for which the Son of God died? Would they not at leastwise have required so much towards the Reparation of the mischief done,* 1.11 as a publick and sorrowful Con∣fession and Declaration to all the World of the sincerity of their Conversion? True it is, as our Church complains in the Office of Commination, that the Primitive Discipline, as much as it is to be wish'd, is not easily to be restor'd; but however it is still, and ever will be in our

Power to declare to Fornicators, Adulterers, Perjur'd Persons, Murderers and Blasphemers, as she does, the true state of their Case, and to let 'em know the Judgments of God hanging over such, as do not in the highest measure they can, make Reparation for the Dishonour they have done to God, and the Mis∣chief they have brought to other Mens Souls. This we may do by letting 'em know, in the Discourses we make, and the state we give of true Repentance, that such a Reparation towards God is as necessary, as Restitution to Man, to render their Repentance acceptable. For tho' it be commonly said in the modern way of stating the Nature of Repentance, that God not suffering by whatever we can do against him, Remission will follow upon our hearty Sorrow and Amendment only, but that our Neighbour being really damag'd by the injuries done to him, Restitution must be part of that Man's Repentance, who has any wise wrong'd him in his Reputation or Estate; yet, with Submission to better Judgments, I do humbly conceive, that God is as capable of suffering Injury from us as Man. All the Malignity indeed of Men and Devils can't make Him suffer in his Essential Perfections, in his Nature and Happiness, as to Himself; but his Honour and Authority in the World, which was so dear to Him, that He sent his only Begotten Son into it to Reinstate Him in his Dominion over it, may certainly be impair'd by the scandalous Impieties of desperately Wicked Men. And therefore if the Good Name of our Neigh∣bour, of which he has been Rob'd by us, must as openly, that is, to all the Pur∣poses of putting Him right in the Opinion of the World, be justifi'd by a Pe∣nitent, as it was formerly Defam'd by him; for much greater Reasons must a Blaspheming or Profane Atheist be put upon the solemn and most open Decla∣ration of his Repentance, and upon such a Recantation of his Principles and Practices, as will reach as far to the setting God right in the Opinions of Men, as his Lewd Speeches, Songs, Plays, or Books have fled abroad to the Dishonour of Him. Thus a late (and till then an unhappy) Gentleman, Sir Duncomb Colchester did; and till such others as he was, do the like; as, notwithstand∣ing the utter loss of Publick Discipline, it is still in, and cannot be out of our Power to refuse Private Communion to such enormous Sinners; so I do hum∣bly conceive we ought not to give 'em the Sacrament of Reconciliation till they have done it. But to proceed,

Secondly, As to our Modern Authors upon the Sub∣ject of Repentance, it is requisite our Indian Clerks should be furnish'd with,

• Bp. Taylor's Discourse of Repentance. 8o. Or in his Polemical Discourses.

• Dr. Ingelo upon Repentance. 8o.
• Dr. Goodman's Penitent Pardon'd. 8o.
• Dr. Pain upon Repentance. 8o.
• Dr. Hammond of late, or Death-Bed Repentance. In his Pract. Disc.
• Mr. Ellis of the necessity of Serious Consideration, and speedy Repentance, as the only way to be safe both Living and Dying. 8o.

Thirdly, And as Appendant to the Doctrine of Repentance, nothing is more Requisite, than that they be furnish'd with Tracts both Ancient and Modern.

1. Upon Fasting and the Lent-Fast.

First, Amongst the Ancient Writers.

• Tertullian de Jejuniis.
• Basilii de Jejunio Sermones tres.
• Ambrosius de Elia & Jejunio.
• Chrysostomus de Jejunio & Eleemosyna.
• — Homiliae plurimae.

Secondly, Amongst the Later and more Modern Writers.

• Dallaeus de Jejuniis Quadragesimalibus. 4o.
• Bp. Gunning of the Lent-Fast. 4o.
• Bp. Patrick on the Lent-Fast. 8o.
• Dr. Hooper's Discourse concerning Lent. 8o.

2. Upon the Power of the Keys, and of Binding and Loosing.

• Chrysostomus de Anathemate.
• Dr. Hammond of the Power of the Keys, or of Binding and Loosing. Amongst his Pract. Disc.

N. Here also may be read, Thorndike's E∣pilogue Passim. Likewise Dodwel of Schism, Passim. In which there is much of this Argument.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Digesta vocantur quia Tituli non sunt temere congesti, sed ordine di∣gesti. Pandectae verò ap∣pellantur, quia universam ferè juris artem ac pene omnes ligitimas decisio∣ones complectuntur.
• * 1.2

  Grotii Ep. 1751.
• * 1.3

  Suarez Prooemio Tract. de Legibus.
• * 1.4

  Mr. Fleury History of the Choice and Method of Studies, p. 123, &c.
• * 1.5

  Cicero de Leg. Lib. 1.
• * 1.6

  Mr. Wingate's Maxims of Rea∣son. Initio.
• * 1.7

  Bishop Sander∣son's Life, by Isaac Walton.
• * 1.8

  Tertul. de Paenitentia Lib.
• * 1.9

  Volo veniam reus sperat, petat eam Lacrymis petat gemitibus; petat populi to∣tius fletibus: Ut ignoscatur & obsecrat: & cum secundo & tertiò fuerit dilata ejus communio, credat remissius se supplicasse, fletus augeat miserabilior, postea rever∣sus teneat pedes brachiis, os∣culetur osculis, lavet fletibus, ut de ipso dicat Dominus Je∣sus: Remissa sunt Peccata ejus multa quoniam dilexit multum. Ambrose de Paeni∣tentia Lib. primo.
• * 1.10

  Vide Basilii Epistolas tres ad Amphilochium Canones Paenitentiales de his & hu∣jusmodi Criminibus conti∣nentes.
• * 1.11

  Tantum fiat conversio ut qui Deum non Agnosceba∣mus, ipsi eam jam aliis de∣monstremus. Amb. de pae∣nit. Lib 1.