TABLE OF CONTENTS. I. A Priest to the Temple, or the Country Parson, his Character, and Rule of Holy Life, by Mr. George Herbert, A. M. Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, and sometime Public Orator of that University; to which are prefixed a Preface by B. Oley, and a Pre- II. Rules and Advices to the Clergy of the Diocese of Down V. A Companion for the Candidates of Holy Orders, in two parts; the first being a Visitation Sermon, concern- ing the great difficulty and danger of the Priestly Office; and the second, a Charge to the Clergy of the Diocese of St. David's, on the principal parts and branches of the Pastoral Office, with rules and directions for the due VII. Instructions to the Clergy of the Diocese of Tuam, A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE; OR THE COUNTRY PARSON, HIS CHARACTER, AND RULE OF HOLY LIFE. BY MR. GEORGE HERBERT. B THE AUTHOR TO THE READER. BEING desirous, through the mercy of God, to please him, for whom I am, and live, and who giveth me my desires and performances; and considering with myself, that the way to please him is to feed my flock diligently and faithfully, since our Saviour hath made that the argument of a pastor's love; I have resolved to set down the form and character of a true pastor, that I may have a mark to aim at: which also I will set as high as I can, since he shoots higher that threatens the moon, than he that aims at a tree. Not that I think, if a man do not all which is here expressed, he presently sins, and displeases God; but that it is a good strife to go as far as we can in pleasing of him, who hath done so much for us. The Lord prosper the intention to myself, and others, who may not despise my poor labours, but add to those points, which I have observed, until the book grow to a complete pastoral. 1632. GEORGE HERBERT. |