Spencer De Legibus Hebræorum. Bythner's Lyra Prophetica. Glassii Philologia Sacra, a Dathe. Fabricii Lux Salutaris Evangelii. a Michaelis Lightfoot's Works. Michaelis' Introduction to the New The Curate's Library, There are many in the situation of curates whose means render it utterly impossible for them to procure many, rare, or expensive works, and to whom it is very important to have a few of the most useful and easily procurable, the most practical and edifying works. The following list is drawn up with reference to these objects. (5.) Devotional Works. Doddridge's Regeneration, Wilberforce's Practical View. (6.) Works of English Divines. Bishop Hall's Works, 10 vol. 6 Those who have small means should be cautious not to purchase books which they do not want, but those which will be of great and standing use to them, as divines through life: such as some good critics, commentators, and practical writers.' Want of learning has been sometimes brought as a reproach against laborious ministers very unjustly. It is not surprizing that ministers who spend their strength among their people are frequently not able in mere points of learning to cope with those who not feeling the value of the direct labours of the ministry, give their time entirely to studies: but if there be this apparent disadvantage, it is abundantly compensated by the practical character of their knowledge, and their experimental acquaintance with the power of the truths which they hold. Place two ministers by a sick bed, one of whom has only theological learning, and the other scriptural knowledge and Christian experience, and it will be soon obvious who can most wisely and beneficially address himself to the necessities of the case. Having thus given a general view of the preparatory course of study requisite for Christians and students for the ministry, we shall in the following chapters add those lists of books which are serviceable for different classes in society, and then more fully and distinctly those which may lead the minister of Christ to a more enlarged acquaintance with divinity. But let the reader in the midst of books not lose sight of the insufficiency of books for teaching that which he desires to acquire, and evermore seek that unction from above which the anointed Saviour, in whom is all the fulness of grace, liberally bestows on all that seek it from him. Some have found having always at hand a devotional book, to be going through with, and to take up at intervals of study, has assisted them in resisting that tendency which literature has to invade spirituality. O that our hearts may never be buried in human writings, that we may ever rise above them all to him who is the Light of life, the wonderful Counsellor, and the abiding Prophet of his church! CHAPTER XIV. RELIGIOUS LIBRARIES FOR PERSONS IN VARIOUS CLASSES OF SOCIETY. THE Author devotes this chapter to little more than lists of books. His object is to direct Christians in general to those works which may be most suitable and profitable to them. Characters of the authors will occasionally be given in the more enlarged and arranged list, entitled the Ministers' Library. After acquiring some general knowledge of religion, intelligent Christians will desire to carry forward and increase this knowledge, and to read for daily edification of heart. In this view an enlarged list may be useful. It must not be supposed that every sentiment in each book here mentioned is wholly unexceptionable. That is true only of the inspired writings, and all others must be tried by them. Nor must it be supposed that very many books, not included in the lists here given, are not equally worthy of insertion, and equally profitable to read. Circumstances bring some books in the way of one person, and others in the way of another person; and the author is very far from wishing to assume, or dictate, and is only desirous of giving such help as he may be able. The Author is personally acquainted with a considerable number of the books named, but it is right to mention that it is sometimes from a general knowledge of the writers, and frequently from an old recollection, or a cursory review, thst he inserts a book. In many cases also he has inserted a work from the recommendation of others in whom he had confidence. A candid reader, who might be disposed on first looking at the lists to complain of them as imperfect and wanting in discrimination, will be ready to admit, on subsequent reflection, the extreme difficulty of attaining precision in the several departments. The following Lists are given. 1. The Religious Library of the Private Christian in middle life. 2. The Tradesman's Religious Library. 3. The Lady's Religious Library. (1.) The Religious Library of the Christian in the middle or higher stations of life with nearly 300 Select Works. The following list of books is designed to assist the Christian in the middle ranks of life, in pursuing a course of study that may both inform his mind and edify his heart. Most persons, even when their views are in the main correct, take up their religious know ledge in far too cursory a manner, and in too limited a range, and hence they are apt to be driven about by every wind of doctrine. It will be easy to enlarge this list by books hereafter-mentioned, or to diminish it by selecting only a few from each class into which it is subdivided. Horne's Deism refuted. Wilson's Lectures on Evidences. Newton on the Prophecies. Clarke's Promises. Spurstow on the Promises. Doddridge on the New Testament. Horne on the Psalms. Bridges on the cxix. Psalm. Lowth on Isaiah. Jones on Jonah. Luther on Galatians. (2.) Church of England. Prayer Book and Homilies. D. Wilson on Confirmation. |