The Patent Hat

which may be procured, gratis, at the aforesaid establishment, and he will soon find that not only his head, but also his heart, has been greatly benefited.

Hoping and praying that The Patent Hat may prove beneficial to his fellow-men, by causing a few, at least, to consider more seriously what is required at their hands, and to act more energetically in performing those requirements, it is respectfully offered to their use by the author.

PHILO.

CONTENTS.

PART I.

INVOCATION to the Great Shepherd of Souls-The Subject proposed-
The Lord wills that men should be saved by the Simple Act of
preaching, but nowhere intimates that foolish Preaching is neces-
sary-The Great Responsibility of the Pastor's Station, and his
Glorious Reward if faithful to his Charge-What this should act-
uate him to do-Allusion to the Former Custom of Eastern Shep-
herds-How Christ's Shepherds should attend to their Flocks and
hunt up Wandering Sheep-This sufficient to engross their Time-
The Devil's Success as a Teacher of the Idle-Some Things to be
considered by him, who is about offering his Services as a Leader
in the Heavenly Warfare-Allusion to the Responsibilities of Mili-
tary Generals-Necessity of Christ's Generals being skilled in
Christian Tactics-The same Gifts not bestowed on all-He who
hath but one Talent should improve it, but not aspire to soar higher
than he who hath two, lest in his lofty flight he get too near the
Sun-Some work against Nature and Reason, and consequently
accomplish little or nothing-The necessity of putting on the
Whole Armor-The Power thus gained-How some Preachers at-
tempt to take the World by storm, and how others through fear
of raising Excitement, preach their Hearers asleep-The Medium
Class-How that Minister must act who would do all in his Power
for the Glory of God-A Little Learning and a Deal of Pride dan-
gerous to Clergymen-The Ludicrous Manner of some Preachers
described, and their Hearers exhorted to bear it patiently-En-
couragement to such as desire to mend their Ways-A properly-
qualified Minister, God's noblest Work-No one need hope to be
successful in his Calling without putting forth his own Exertions,

but by using all Means in his Power to qualify himself for Use-

fulness, will accomplish what God has assigned him to do-Indo-

lent Preachers shamed, and exhorted to arouse from their Leth-

argy-Enumeration of Various Duties connected with the Minis-

try-Preachers should seriously consider their Actions, lest one

Soul should be eternally lost through their Neglect.........Page 17

PART II.

INVOCATION to the Ruler of Earth and Skies for aid in the Work

here proposed-Contentions between the Different Branches of

the Christian Church noticed-How tenaciously some regard the

views of their Leader, and condemn the Opinions of all others as

heretical-No marvel that some live out of the Church-Impropri-

ety of such a Course illustrated-All going right who labor for the

Advancement of Christianity, and whose Labors are owned and

blessed of God in the Regeneration of Souls-Duty of all to lay

aside Prejudice, and search the Scriptures for Truth-The Daily

Walk and Actions of many Churchmen inconsistent with their Pro-

fession-A certain Class compared to Unruly Children-Church

Aristocracy-Domestic Affairs-Husband-Wife-Children-Ser-

vants-Masters-Railers-The Christian Church compared to a

Noble Ship engaged in saving the Passengers and Crew of a

wrecked Vessel-Ignorance of the Laws of our Land not taken as

an Excuse for their Violation; likewise he who neglects to read

the Bible cannot hope to be pardoned for the Violation of the

Divine Law, through the Plea of Ignorance-Tricks of the Devil

to deceive the People-Who are secure-Duty of all to hear God's

Word expounded as often as convenient-Excuses made by some

for not attending Public Worship-Some always too late-Various

Objects different Persons have in view, in going to Church-Who

go aright-Duty of the People to do everything in their power

to enable him to set them a Holy Example-Argument of a Penu-

rious Brother against paying Preachers-Duty of Church Mem-

bers to supply the Wants of their Pastor, and free him from all

Cares arising from a lack of this World's Blessings-Their duty

to render each other Assistance whenever in need, to love as

becometh Christians, and thus let their Light shine before the

World..........

PART III.

CHAPTER I.

STATE of Learning and Religion at the Time of Christ's Advent-

Greek and Roman Literature-The Jews; their Expectation of

the Messiah, previous to his Advent; why they rejected him—

The Circumstance of Christ's choosing Fishermen for Apostles

shown to be a Poor Argument against an Educated Ministry-

Means instituted by the Saviour for the Spread and Defense of the

Gospel, after he should leave the World-Duty of Preachers to

make use of those Means; also to consider their frailty, and not

trust in an Arm of Flesh-Paul's Advice to his Pupil-Christ's

Counsel to the Twelve-The weak Things, also the great ones of

the World; examples, Paul and Felix-The former's Manner of

reasoning worthy of imitation-Pleasures and Profit to be sacri-

ficed when they stand in the Way of Usefulness-Antony and

Luther........

Page 61

CHAPTER II.

Power of working Miracles-Erection of Seminaries in the First

Century-Mark Clemens-Josephus-Second Century-Justin

Martyr-Polycarp-Irenæus-Learning opposed by the Ascetics;

the Result-Montanus-Tertullian-Third Century-Origen-

Julius Africanus --Cyprian-Influence of the Labors of the

Learned-Decline of Literature-Neander's Testimony concern-

ing the Support of Ministers in early Times-Usurpation of Power

by the Clergy-Origin of Celibacy among them-Fourth Century

-Constantine the Great-Julian the Apostate-Election of Min-

isters-Eusebius-Basil -Chrysostom-Jerome--Theodosius the

Great-Antony-Dionysius-Fifth Century-Cyril - Isadore-

Theodorus - Leo I.-Mosheim's Testimony concerning Purga-

tory.......
78

CHAPTER III.

Deplorable State of Learning, and Christianity in the Sixth Century
-Extinction of Modern Platonism-Aristotelian Philosophy re-
vived-Seventh Century-Mohammed-Origin of the Doctrine of

Infallibility in the Church of Rome-Eighth Century-Charle

magne-Boniface-Ninth Century-Revival of Learning and Re-

ligion Relapses again into Idolatry-Prosperous Reign of the

Grecian Emperor Basilius-Gibbon's Testimony concerning some

of the Happy Results of Christianity-Tenth Century, the dark-

est of the Dark Ages-Dambrowska-Anne-Woman's Influ-

ence-Theophylact, Anecdote of-Gerbert-Eleventh Century-

Revival of Literature-Peter the Hermit--Twelfth Century—

Origin of Indulgences-Thirteenth Century-Roger Bacon-Court

of Inquisition instituted-Transubstantiation introduced-An

account of Private Confessions-Fourteenth Century-Decline of

Pontifical Power-Boniface VIII.-Philip-De Nogaret-Bene-