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The Writer has been induced to send out this New Edition in wha? will probably be considered a more convenient form. Feeling with the eminently learned, and modest Melancthon, that to be single-handed is to be weak,” he thankfully acknowledges assistance derived from various sources of substantial profit. Though his work has swelled for beyond its original dimensions, he trusts that it may be a Manual of Ministerial responsibilities, privileges, and encouragements, illustrative of the elevated standard of our Ordination engagements, and stimulating to their more devoted and cheerful exercise. The time allowed him for revision enables him to bring out this Edition with far greater satisfaction to himself than any that have preceded it. He only entreats, that those who gain from it any instruction or interest, will follow it with their prayers, that it may conduce to the grand designs of the Christian Ministry. May the prayer of an old Writer upon this subject be speedily and largely fulfilled, that our ‘God would give unto his Church pious and faithful Pastors, and unite us together that we may be One in Him; praising” Him with heart, tongue, and whole life, so that in a blessed immortality freely vouchsafed to us, we may enjoy the presence of the Chief Shepherd, our Mediator Jesus Christ, throughout eternity.’
Old Newton Vicarage,
September 17, 183.5.
1 Scott’s Continuation of Milncr, ii. 180
2 Nic. Hcmmingii Pastor. Pref. As his book is little known, the Writer is tempted to transcribe the beautiful dedicatory prayer, in the spirit of which he has endeavoured to conduct his own more extended work — ‘Te, principem pastorem, Domine Jesu Christe invoco; qui solus animam tuam pro ovibus dedisti, ut cas e faucibus lupi, qui est Diabolus, eriperes. Solus oves tuas in ovile tuuni hutncris tuis portasti. Solus saniruine tuo pretioso lavisti. Spiritu tuo sancto sanas, et pabuto sBternffi vitse pascis. Tibi supiilico, ut mihi indiirnissimo servo tuo adesse tua gratia velis, ct ea scribenti suggererc ex fontibus verbi tui dio-neris, quae ad piam faciant instructioneni eoruni, quibus oves tuas pascendascommendasti, quibusque nomen quod tibi soli proprium est, communicasti; nempe ut dicantur ovium tuarum pastores, tuam solius vocem sonantes, quain solum ut oves tuas acnoscunt; ita te solum norunt, et sequuntur pastorem. Nam in te uno omncs sinceri pastores unum sunt; quia una est vox omnium, qua tu aggregas oves tibi, quaque pascis in aniffinissimis tuis pratis aggregatas, ac fontibus salutis liberalissime potas ac reficis. Ut igitur Ministris tuis, quos pastorum nomine dignaris, optimi vivendi, agendique modura
Srsesc-ribam, tu cfficito: et simul da gratiam, ut ipse cum illis juxta disciplinae pra;scriben- 8e normam, vitam totam peragam; donee, curriculo vitJB praesentis expleto, tibi, qui Episcopus animarum nostrarum es, tradam spiritum qucm dedisti. Tibi pastori animarum nostrarum, ac soli Deo cum Patre et Spiritu Sancto, sit benedictio, et gloria, et sapientia, et gratianim actio, honor et virtus, et robur in sccula scculorum. Amen. Amen.