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NOW FIRST DIGESTED INTO ONE CONTINUED SERIES, AND FORMING A COMMENTARY
TO WHICH IS ANNEXED, AN IMPROVED EDITION OF A TRANSLATION OF
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18, st. paul's church-yard.
mdccc xxxii. - B3
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My Lord Archbishop,
In offering this work to your Grace's patronage, I beg permission to state what occa- sion there is for such a work, and what I have aimed at in the composition of it.
It is to be regretted, that, whilst the edu- cation we receive in our Universities is admirably adapted to lay a good foundation for us to build upon, there is no subsequent instruction given us to fit us for the employment of the ministry. Before men are called to the public exercise of vol. i. a
the medical or legal profession, they have an appropriate line of study assigned them : nor does any one expect to succeed in either of those professions, till he has, with much labour and study, qualified himself for the discharge of the duties pertaining to it. But for the service of the Established Church no such preparatory studies are required ; nor are any great facilities afforded for the acquisition of that knowledge, which ought to be possessed before we become stated and accredited teachers in the Church of Christ. Even that species of composition which is peculiarly proper for an edifying exposition of God's blessed Word, is never made a subject of specific instruction ; or, at least, is never marked out with such clearness as to render the attain- ment of it easy to persons at their first entrance on their clerical duties. Hence considerable dis- couragement is felt by the Younger Clergy, and a great temptation is thrown in their way, to avail themselves of the labours of others, instead of striking out at first a path for themselves.
To remedy this defect, as far as was in my power, I have endeavoured to unfold the most important and instructive parts of Holy Writ,