_6thly_, Can any who spend several years in those seats of learning, be excused, if they do not add to that of the _languages_ and _sciences_, the knowledge of the _fathers_? The most authentic commentators on scripture, as being both nearest the fountain, and eminently endued with that spirit by whom _all scripture was given_? It will be easily perceived, I speak chiefly of those who wrote before the council of _Nice_. But who would not likewise desire to have some acquaintance with those that followed them? With St. _Chrysostom_, _Basil_, _Jerome_, _Austin_; and above all, the man of a broken heart, _Ephraim Syrus_. _7thly_, There is yet another branch of knowledge highly necessary for a clergyman, and that is, _knowledge of the world_; a knowledge of men, of their maxims, tempers and manners, such as they occur in real life. Without this he will be liable to receive much hurt, and capable of doing little good; as he will not know, either how to deal with men, according to the vast variety of their characters; or to preserve himself from those, who almost in every place lie in wait to deceive. How nearly allied to this, is, _the discernment of spirits_? so far as it may be acquired by diligent observation. And can a guide of souls be without it? If he is, is he not liable to stumble at every step? _8thly_, Can he be without an eminent share of _prudence_? that most uncommon thing which is usually called _common sense_? But how shall we define it? Shall we say, with the schools, that it is, _recta ratio rerum agibilium particularium_? Or is it, an habitual consideration of all the circumstances of a thing? _Quis, quid, ubi, quibus auxiliis, cur, quomodo quando?_ And a facility of adapting our behaviour to the various combinations of them? However it be defined, should it not be studied with all care, and pursued with all earnestness of application? For what terrible inconveniences ensue, whenever it is remarkably wanting? _9thly_, Next to _prudence_ or _common sense_ (if it be not included therein) a clergyman ought certainly to have some degree of _good-breeding_: I mean, address, easiness and propriety of behaviour, wherever his lot is cast: perhaps one might add, he should have (tho’ not the stateliness; _for he is the servant of all_, yet) all the _courtesy_ of a _gentleman_, joined with the correctness of a _scholar_. Do we want a pattern of this? We have one in St. _Paul_, even before _Felix_, _Festus_, King _Agrippa_. One can scarce help thinking, he was one of the best bred men, one of the finest gentlemen in the world. O that we likewise had the skill to _please all men, for their good unto edification_!