An essay towards promoting all necessary and useful knowledge, both divine and human, in all the parts of His Majesty's dominions, both at home and abroad

=(0

A N

K S S A Y

Towards Promoting all

Necessary and Useful Knowledge^

B O T II

MMm antJ Human.

V"!^o"T a V

WITH ALL GOOD WISHES

H&SS

AT CHRISTMAS

A '

1 ^ 1 .

6782

1

'.:^'«^i

CRA/?^

1 6 1968

^IIY

Of TO?S

INTRODUCTORY NOTE

THE Reverend Thomas Bray, D.D. (1656-1730), is well
known as the founder of the Society for Promoting Chris-
tian Knowledge, organized in 1699, and the Society for the Propa-
gation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, chartered in 1701. In 1695
he had been chosen by Henry Compton, Bishop of London, as his
Ecclesiastical Commissary for Maryland, to aid in the establish-
ment of the Church of England in that colony. Dr. Bray felt that
one way to encourage clergymen to settle in the remote parishes
would be to provide libraries for their use.

He first set forth his plans in December 1695, in Profosals for
the Incouragement and Promoting of Religion and Learning in
the Foreign Plantations. Soon afterwards he expanded this idea to
include parochial libraries in "all the English colonies in Amer-
ica," as well as "Lending-Libraries to be fix'd in all the Market-
Towns in England." These proposals he published m An Essay
Towards Promoting all Necessary and Useful Knowledge . . . ,
London, 1697, here reproduced.

It is probably not accurate to claim, as has sometimes been done,
that there is a direct relationship between Thomas Bray's parochial
libraries and the modern public library system in this country.
Nevertheless, the Bray libraries did foreshadow these later devel-
opments, and, in the eighteenth century, were definitely an impor-
tant cultural influence in the American colonies.

LEWIS M. STARK

Chief y Rare Book Division
The New York Public Library

E S

A N

s

Y

Towards Prcmotiiig £.!i

NeccHkry and Ufcful Knowledge

B o

tl

In all the P a ;i t s of
His M A J E S T Y'x Dommmsy

Both at Home and Abroad.

»

% THOMAS BRAY, D.U.

'

'y\j'3j5:f7r@l ajfo;9c'/?i.<?^a^icraii'©^. Clemens Alex.Ad-

mo.(lr^aa vi' -v. t5.

k \ ^ J L 0 N D 0 .^\, 1/

I c'^rinted bv ^. Holt ior iiolert Ciuvel, ar tl^>e Peacock
I inS^ /'.r^/'s Cnurci>Ya.d, ^i DC XG Vll.

j . ... i^i,.n3J. '.

T O T H E

KNorpledge is the fairejl Ornament
of the Soul of Man ; aHtl yphofo^
, ever is Endov^d therevpithjet it he
of any k^nd^ which is not mifchievous^ fails
not of Efleem amongft all forts ofTerfons.
^his is certain^thatKjiovpledge does moredi^
jlinguifh the Voffeffors of it ^ than Titles^
Kiches^or great Tlaces\Fortho hhefe ISden
may x:ommand the Cap and the Knee^ and
extort fome outward l^nd of R everence
from Inferiors 'y jet the Man of%)nder--
Jlanding is he^ who is inwardly and truly
refpeUed^ whilfl the Gaudy^ but Empty
"Beauyis no other than tjhe Scorn and Deri-
jion of all who Converfe with him. ^ut

^^ A z efpC'

The Preface.

efpecklly a Man is then Ejleemed for his
Kno)i- ledge, if his Vnderjhanding is Emi-
nent in things laudable, and of great (Veight
and Moment, for whatever is greatly useful
is highly valuable.

And fuch is the Knowledge, Ti>hich lam
endeavouring to provide for^ by the follow-
ing Trof>o/als.

For why ? as to the Theological part ;
In the firjl place, this is a Knowledge
Converfant about the great efi ObjeBs , God,
and our felves-. Secondly, and that a-
bout the GrandeU and mo si Concerning
Truths relating to thoje ObjeBs. Thirdly,
It is a Knowledge to which the mo(t con-
fidcrable of other Sciences are fome way or
other appendant and Jubfervient. Fourths
ly, his a Knowledge founded upon more
certain Principles than all other Sciences
whatfocver (jcarce the Afathematic/{s ex-
cepted) All which fpcak^ the Noble Na-
ture

The Preface.

ture of divine Einovpledge. And Laflly^
It is the only Knowledge which can con-
duU usfafe through the Afa^es and Laby-
rinths of this 11/ortd^ to our H efl and Hap-
pncjs in the other ; which does eminently
jloew the 'VJefulnefs of it.

Nor will the other parts of Knowledge
I propoje to promote by the follomng k^nd
of Libraries^ be %)nufefuL From Hiftory
we can tal^ a noble view of all ^Xdank^nd ;
and by our Objervations from thence of the
different Fates of Aden^ and their Caufes^
we may form to our f elves moH excellent
Rules for the Condu^ of Humane Life.
Travels dif cover the Commodities of Foreign
Countries ^to the great Enriching of our own-^
and not only Merchant f^but allotherT^erfons
befidesjby reading the Accounts of fo many
Nations of Alen in the IVorld^ funl^ djwn
to the lownefs of brutes for want of Know^
ledge ^ may fee Infinite li eafon to blefs that

6od^

The Prefaca

GodyVpho by an admirable Religion enlight^
ning our Minds ^has rais'd us above the Ani^
mal "Life ; and Jo vaflly dtjlinguijhes us
from the barbarous part of Mankind.
IVhat J1)all I fay ? "By Knowledge in Hu-
manity or Morality , men become^as it vpere^
n^y/jutvoi \\% §6)Hva/d)Viov, dijpofed for the Recep-
tion of that Faith 'which will fave 'em^and
thofe divine Graces^ which will render 'em
capable of Eternal Life. S> an Inltght into
i^ature^ Gardenings Jgriculture^ &c. All
fortsof Per fons will learn how tq meliorate
their Condition and manner of Living whilft
here on Earth. And if there may be added
hereafter to our l^ibraries^the Be/l Authors
in Mathcmaticks, Phyfick and Law^
there will be no means wantin^r even in the

o

mofl Vncultivated parts of this Kingdom^
to render the T^hinking^ Readings andthe
beflpart ofthelnhahitants thereof bothlnteL
leUually^ Morally and Civilly ^as well as T>i^

vine*

The Preface.

vinely Happ : For n^hich Reafons I hope ^
though this Dejtgn feems more immedtatelji
dire&ed to the Service of the Clergy^ jet
Gentlemen^ Thyficians and Lawyers will
perceive they are not negleUed tn it^ and
mil fee themselves concerned to promote it.
And indeed thofe Terfons oj Quality ^
whoje Eldejl Sons being commonly brought
up to no Employment , , h^ve a great
deal of Time lying upon their Hands ^
feem to me to be as nearly concern das any^to
favour it. for many of thefe young Gentle^
Men^ when removed from the Vniverjtties^
thofe Fountains of ufeful and fubjlantial
Knowledge^and rejiding all their Life4ime
in Countries^ where they can meet with no
^ool^s to employ t he mf elves in readings and
whereby they may be. able to improve the 7"^-
lent they have there gained:, they do there-
upon too commonly become not fo confpicuous
for their Excellent Knowledge y and Mo-

ralsy

The Preface.

rals^ as mil he ever expe&ed from Men
of Ran^ and Station in their Country. And
iXfhenthey happen into one another's Company^
for vpant of GoodSenfe^ are forc'd too often
to fill up their ,T>iJcourfe^ and maintain a
Converfation^ in the T^orterly Language of
Sivearingy and Obfcenity.

In fhort^ I think, allTerfons of a libe-
ral and ingenuous Education^ are fo much
concern d in a Defgn of this Nature^ that
I cannot but flatter my f elf 'with the Ex-
peitations of fome fort of Succefs in the
%)ndertaking. \But hoiipevcr I hope I have
offer d at nothing yphich all candid T^crfons
mil not own to be honeftly defignd^ and
vphich Scholars of all Frofejfions mil not
^at leaH)vife mflo^vcll to^ though for n-ant
of men of a publicly and active Spirit to ma^
na^c it in their refpcclive Tomis or T>ean-
nricsjittle or nothing fhould be accompliflo'd
in it.

PRO-

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PROPOSALS

TO THE

Gentry and Clergy of this Kingdom^

For Purcliafing Lending Libraries in all the
Deanaries of England , and Parochial Libra**
ries for Maryland^ V'tr<(mia^ and other of the
Foreign Plantations, purfuant to what is fpoke
of Both, in the Prefatory Epiftlc to the iBMo^
theca Tarochialis.

Honoured S IR S^

AMongft the many Laudable Contrivances for pro-
moting Religion and Learning in the World,
in which feveral Perfons of a Publick Spirit have
labour^ more or lefs in all Ages, there feem none
to me vi^ould be of greater Advantages to either,
Would tend more to' cultivate the Minds of our young
Gentry,' and can be more adapted to the prefent Circum-
ilances. of our Parochial Clergy (one third of whom I
-am afraid are not enabled by their Preferments to pur-

A chafe

(»)

chafe a fourth part of thofe Books, which it is abfolutely
fieceflary every Paftor fhould perufe ; and yet from whom
great meafures of Knowledge are expe(5bcd in this inqui-
fitive Age) than if we could have Lending Lihrar'tes
difpos'd , one in every Deanary throughout the King-
dom, for the Service of thofe who have occafion to
borrow. I Ihall not here repeat what I have already
fpoken of the Benefit thereof, both to Clergy and Laity,
in the Prefatory EpiflJe to my aStbltOtljeca^atOCWaiig.-
But having,

f irft, Computed the Charge of each Liir^ry ;

Secondly, / will fhew hy what means they may he pur*
chas\J i

Thirdly, Bvvo they may hepreferv^J : And,

Firft, As to the Charge^ I prefume, if the Foundation of
a Library were onde laid in each Deanary, the Stock by
one means or other would foon encY^afe to a compleat
Sett of all neceflary Books : And that well-chofen Books
to the value of 30 /. would lay a good Foundation.

Secoyidly^ 1 am ntxt 'to fhew by what Methods they
may be j!)ti'rc'has*d ; and the mod eafie and likely tvie.
thod I cift propofe, will be by Subfcriptions rais'd amongft
both Clerfty and Gtntry ; each Clergy-man fubfcribing
^t the Vintatioti fome fmall matter proportionable to the
Value of his Living, or Circumftanccs in the World ; the
Gentry, what in their Generofity they Ihall think fit.
And the Subfcriptions of both to be taken, and returned
td Loyidm\ and the Libraries tranfmitted into the Coun-
try in the Method following.

I. That

(i)

1. That one Third of the Subfcription-]Mony,Tyi2. lol.
be fubfcriby , and paid at the next Eafler^iCimlon,
to the Rural Dean, or whom the Clergy of the Deanary
fliall agree upon, and returned up to the Treafurers ot
the Subfcriptions, Mr. Francis Evans, Secretary to the
Lord Biftiop of Coventr;^ ^k\A Litchfield^ or Mr. ThoMas
Taylor at the Lord Almoner's Lodgings in White-
Hall.

2. That within a Month after, the following Books to
the value of Thirty Pound, be fent down into the
fubfcribing Deanaries to fuch Places as from the Vi-
fitation fliall be direfted. And that they be made
up in fuch Boxes, or Book-PrefTes, with Shelves in
them, and Locks and Doors to 'em, as will ferve both
to preferve 'em in the Carriage down, and in the Place
where they fliall be depofited for the Publick Benefit.
And being kept in fuch moveable Repofitories, they can
at any time be removM to any other part of the
Deanary, as by the Vote of the Clergy at a Vifitation
fliall be judged moft convenient to have 'em lodg'd
in ; and that without the Charge of building any Room
wherein to lay 'em up.

3. That to make up the remaining two Thirds for the
Purchafe of the Books, each of the Clergy do in their
refpeitive Pariflies, and amongft the Gentry of their Ac-
quaintance, folHcit fome frnall Subfcription towards this
Publick Defign, by which fuch SubfcriberSj whether
Gentlemen, or Ladies, will be entitled to the Priviledge
of borrowing at any time a Book for their own Reading;
and that there may be proper and acceptable Books for
them, there are fome of the moft valuable pieces of Hi-

A X ftory.

(4)

flory, Geography, and Travels, provided in the foHbw-
ing Sett.

4. That what is Subfcrlbed by the Gentry,be brought
in to the next Michaelmas Vifitation , and entered
Jown in a Book, together with the Subfcriptions of the
Clergy, to be kept in every Library : And if there bb
fomething wanting to make up the remaining Twenty
.Pounds, it be made up by the Clergy,, if there be any
over, itbeapply'd towards paying for the Book-Prefles
and Carriage down,, and the Surplufage be hid up in
Bank againft next Eofier Vifitation after thif, towards
purchafing another like quantity of Books, in order tb
compleat a ufefui and fufficicnt Library in the refpeflivc
. Deanary.

. 5. That the Books fliallbe afforded to the Subfcribers,
. fomething below the Prices at which the Clergy, or

Gentry ufually buy em by Retail in the Bookfcllers

6hops.

6. Thar what Grans-V^ooks will be obtaln'd of. the
Bookfeller, in confideration of fo many bought of 'em
Towards thefe Lending Libraries \ that thefe be fct apart
towards making up Parochial Libraries for the Fo-
reign Plantations. And it is found, that one LiLrary in
ten at leaft, will be obtained by this* means toward'the
Publick Dcfign ; to which all Chriftian5,mcthinks, fhould
readily contribute; fuch as ar6 moll able, by 'immedi-
ate BenefaQions ; and every ore that is not unahle in fuch
a way as this^ in which they have a valuable confide'fl-
lion to themfelves for what thty do towards carrying oi>
that nece[fary Work ; for fo I ihall be bold to cafl nrj if- it

were

( 5 )

were but to ward off the Reproach under which wejuft-
ly lye, even to this day ; that whilft our Adverfaries the
Papifts^ are at vaft Charges every Year, in promoting
their falfe Superftition in the remoteft parts of the World,
there are but too few amongfl: us, pudet hcec OpprolrU
dic'ty ^ did potuiffcy who have yet fhevv'd that Value
for their Rehgion, and the Honour of God, as to con-
tribute in any confiderable way to advance the Glory
of their Saviour, by propagating the bed Rehgion in the
whole World, eithei: here at home, or amongft their
Country-men abroad.

There is but one Objedlon I can forefee againft thi^
Method of procuringthefe Lending LilrarieSy and that
is the exceffive fcarcity of Money, efpecially amongft
the Clergy at this time, when they are exhaufled more
than others by Publick Payments.

But indeed, the very Objedion it felf feems to me to
be the moft forcible Reafon for putting a Defign of this
Nature on foot, and that efpecially at this time. For is
it fo, that one third of the Englifli Clerg}', are not now
in a Condition to buy a fufBcient quantity of Books ?
Well, but on the other fide, I hope it will be granted,
that Books muft be had, or elfe Religion muft e'en fall
to the ground. And if fo, putting both together, I think
it will follow, that fince very few arc capable to furhifli
their Studies at their own proper Coft, it is therefore nc-
ceflary that all iliould join their Forces; and what is im-
poffible for 'era fingly, would be eafie for em jointly ;
for Multorum manibus granrje Levatur Onus ; fo thit in-
deed this is really the raofi proper Seafon to fct fuch a.
Deficn on foot. .

But

(6)

But then if we confider to what a high Perfection,
moft, if not al! parrs of ufefui Learning have advanc'd
in this lad Age, fo that we may rather fe^ra dcclcnfion
thereof (as isufual with every thing when it comes to
its full growth) than hope for much farther Improve.-
mcnts therein : But above all, if we confider the impi-
ous Principles which have begun to advance againft u$,
and have gain'd fo much gr(5und upon us by the Indu-
flry of fome, who at great Charge and Expcnce, do la-
bour to poifon both Town and Country with their Athe-
iQical and Soclnian Notions ; Thefc things, I fay, if duly
confider'd, will convince us, that this fcems to be the
very time pointed out by the Divine Providence for us
to provide ourfelves of Magazines^ out of which we may
be fufficiently furni(h*d with that Panoply of neccflary
Learning and Knowledge, whereby we ihall feoire our
fclvcs and others, aga'tnft the fiery Darts of the Devil;
and may be enabled at leaftwife to (land our ground,
whilft Atheifts, Deifts and Socinians, do fo eamejlly
contevJ agidinA the Faith. So much, upon many great
Accounts, it feems to me to be a aioft proper Seafon
now to begin the Foundation of Le^tJing Lilrdries
throughout the Kingdom.

And whereas many of our Reverend Clergy have No-
ble Libraries of their own, fo as not to need thcmfelves
a Supply of this Nature, I am not to doubt their Sub-
fcribing notwithdanding, fmce the Defignof thefe Libra-
ries is not to fcrve a Man's private, but the publick Inter-
eft of Religion and Learning ; which fuch Reverend and
Learned Pcrfons do well know (none better) that every
f)nei5 bound to provide for, more than his own, cfpcci-
aHy ^lofe whofe Condition and Grcomftan^es in the
World ihall bcft enable 'em for ftood Works.

I

( 7 )

I am not indeed (o fanguine as to hope or eypeQ, that
notwithftanding the Charge in the foregoing Method is
made foeafie, that a Clergy-man of Two hundred Pounds
pet Annum^ need not fubfcribe at a Vifitation above Ten
or Fifteen ShilUngs, of One hundred Pound above Five-
or Ten Shillings, and of Fifty Pounds above half a Crown
or Five Shillings ; notw^ithftandingthis, I am not, I fay,
fo unacquainted with the Temper of the World, as to
exped: thatan Affair of this Nature fliould not meet with
Exceptions from fome. And I alio know the Prhce of
Darknefs (^the ftrength of whcfe Kingdom does lye in
the Ignorance of Mankind) has too much Intereil at
ftake, to let a Dcfign, which does fo diredlly tend to
the Rmne of his Dominion «over the Souls of Men, go
on without Obltruilion. But however the Manage-
ment of this Affair falling into the hands of fuch as do
fo well underftand the Ufeand Benefit of Books, and who
are withal fo fenfible of the peculiar need of *em at this
time, I hope there will be a fufficient number found in
moft Deanaries of well-difpofcd and publick-fpirited Per-
fons, both amongft the Clergy and Gentry, who will
carry it on in their refpeftive Diftrids : And even thofe,
who may be backward at firft, may come in afterwards,
when they ftiall better confider theTendency which thefe
Libraries will have to the Glory of God, and to in-
creafethe Ufeftilnefs and Efteem of the Clergy : So that
the' -fome fhould happen at firft to refufe fubfcribing,
it Will not I hope difcourage others from promoting the
Defign, fo far as to make up at next Vifitation the firft
Ten Pounds amongft themfelves towards laying the
foundation.

Thirdly^

(8)

• Jhirdly\ And now I amto [bew how the Lending Libra*
ries particularly^ may be prefer vd.

How the Parochial may be fecur'd from Lofs or
Imbezelrffent, is, I hope fatisfaftorily (hewed in the
Prefatory Epiftle to xht Bibliotheca Parochialis : But^
it- being defign'd that thefe Lending Libraries fliould.
travel abroad^ it may feem that the Boc^s will be ifi
danger tobefoon loft by parting through fo many hands:
However, in order to their being fully fecur'd, it may be,
provided by thefe following Methods ; i. That they be
marked uporf the Covers to what Deanary they belong.
X. That they be lock'd up in Book-Prefles made on pur-
pofe to keep them in. 3. That they be depofited with
the Rural D^an, or with the^Mihifter or School-Mafter
mJome Market-Town, if hear the Cefitre of the Dean-
ary, that fo they may with very little trouble be fent
for any Market-day,, and as eafily returned within a li-
mited time: And it may be preCum'd, that any Minifter
or Schbol-Maftd', for die ufe of fueh a Library un-
der his Key,' will be wilGng to undertake the trouble
to lend out the 'Books, and receive thqm in uppn
occafion. 4. "that the Limitation of Time for keeping
a borrowed Book be determined by the Reverend Sub-
fcribers at the Vifitation, as a. Month for a Folio, a Fort-
night for a 4^?. arid^aWcelc for an 8(7. which will have
this good Effeftj tliata Book will be read over with fpeed
and care; which' if one's own, might lye in a Study
wittiout being quickly or very carefully perufed, upon
prefumprionthatbeing'one'sown itmay at any time be
read^ and^ther§forethisby tlie:way may be coniTderd
as one Advantage of Lending Libraries. 5*. That .thp
Borrower having font a Note defiring any Book, his

Note

( 9 >

^3ote be filed up, and his Name enter'd in a Book kept
in the Library for that pur pofe, whot Ye^r, Month and
Day he borrowed fuch a Book ; and upon the Return of
the Book, the Note be alfo returned, and the Name of
the Borrower crofs'd out. 6. That a Regifter of the
Books belonging to every Dcanary, be given to the re-
fpe^ive Bifhops, and Arch- Deacons, 7. That each
Library may be vifited once a Year by the Arch-Deacon
inPerfon, or by three of his Clergy deputed by him to
fee that the Books be not imbezeted or loft. And by
thefe means I believe they will be very well preferv'd j
for why? Their being Cetter'd to what Deanary they
belong, will prevent their being transferred into any
Man*s private keeping ; or if they arc, they'll be as rea-
dily difcover'd and own'd, as any living Creature by its
Ear-Mark ; -and the Arch- Deacon's Vifitation will call
'em ajl in once a-year: And i^ndeed fo far am I from fear-
ing ih^tthqfe Librmes will fuffer anj^ Diminution "by
loft of Books, that I believe they will daily enci'eafe ;
for the thing being once put on foot, the Clergy at eve-
ry Vifitation will be apt to continue fome fmall Sub-
fcriptiofls to buy in the new pieces as they (hall come

forth s .^(p^c^'jy f^^^ ,^^ ^^^^ *'^nd confi^rably to the
improv^eilt of any pirt of Chf iftkn Know^ledge.- Aftd
moreover, the Foundation being tmce laid, many Learned
Perfpns amongft the Clergy,and others who have a Zeal
^r i:he Cliufdiqs Good;, vviJl be likely to leave atrheir
i>0hi their pWn^ibrarifcs^,' as additions to thefe Lcitd^
Ing :lLlhi^ai^ies^^.^^ ; aSd perhaps- Legatics to buy

Boo^s : "tibt to fay that? 'the -rtiing beings bnde -be-
gun ^ I could afily propofe, how the Whole Gourfeof
JJiflc^y, and ;Ftuma^it^^ added; and that far-

5tbpr;flie«tffs^3^ay te^ in tinie, te provide Wl

"•''^^ ' C the

( lO )

the Smaller Livings throughout the Kingdom, with fuch
Lefer Parochial Libraries 2iS are ckfignM for the Plan-

tations.

But to proceed, if now and then a Book (hould be loll,
this ought no nnore to difcourage our Defrgn, than it
(hould have hindered our Fore-Fathers from building of
Parfonage-Houfes for us, becaufe fometimes they fall to
decay ; or from giving Tythes and Glebe for the Main-
tenance of the Clergy, becaufe thefe do fuffer daily di-
minutions by Modus's growing upon us through the
importunity of fome, and the more Violent Sacrilegious
Invafions of the Churches Rights by others. Not to fay,
That there may be Provifion made by Law to fecure
thefe Libraries, and to repair their Lofs, as well as tlie
other Dilapidations of the Church.

And indeed, if it could be brought about by any means,
that we mfght have 400 Leading Libraries fixt throuh^
out tlie Kingdom, and the Clergy, by a fmall Subfcrip-
tioa in every Deanary, (hould continue to add the valu-
able new Books that (liall come out hereafter ; Here
would be afufBcient Incouragement provided for the
Learned Men of our Univerfities, to undertake the givmg
us fome more fuch Editions of the Fathers,and other Anci-
ent Writers,as that of St. Cyprian, ThucydiJes^ &c, A cer-
tain Sale of 400 Books, being enough to difcharge an Im-
preflion ; which one thing, as it.has in this Age fo much
contributed to the Learning anc^ Honour of a Neigh-
bouring Nation, where, upon the Encouragement ot the
Monafteries taking off each of 'cm, one of every New Edi-
tition of a Father, or other Book of Value, the Learned
of that Kingdom .have bc^n .thereby; encouraged, and

crtabled

enabled to give the World fucli Editions as they may jufty
glory in; fo it would make exceedingly for the Honour of
ourVniverfities^^ni not a little ht t\iQ hfreji of our Nati-
on: For as to the former, it would raife a Noble Spirit
of Emulation in thofe Learned Societies, and would excite
more of the Members thercot^to Exert themfelves in being
ferviceable to the World in this kind;who now for want of
Encoiiagemcnt, cannot fpend their time fo much to
their own, and the Publick Good in this way, as other-
wife they might. And as to the latter, whereas fome
Thoufand Pounds worth of Valuable Books, Printed in
Foreign parts, liave been Imported Yearly, we by reafon
of the better Editions of the Ancient Writers, which our
more Learned Men are able to give the World, might
be able to employ our own Paper-Makers, Stationers,
Printers, Book-Binders, Book-Sellers here at home, to
the maintaining many Thoufand Perfons amongft us,
and might export fo much of our own, and Foreign
Paper Manufadured by our felves, as would turn the
Balance of that part of Trade confiderably on our own
fide.

And now 1 am to entreat the Candour of my Reverend
Brethren, that, however I may be miftaken in the Pra-
diicablenefs of this Defign, they would believe I fincerc-
ly intend the Good of Souls, and the Honour of my
Function, and of my Nation too, in all that is here pro-
pos'd. That I am fo preffing for both Parochial Lihra-
ries in the Plantations, and Lending Libraries in Eng-
lanJj is, becaufe in the former, I know no good a Cler-
gy, who are not able to furnilh themfelves with Books
in going over, can do in a Country where none arc

C X to

( ti )

to be bought when they are there, nor to be had from
the Merchants, but at exceOive Rates. And in the lat-
ter, I am certain that Good cannot be done, which is
expedcd from every Minifter here in E)f%land, when the
Third Part of our Parochial Clergy are not enabled by
their Preferments, to buy the fourth part of thole Books,
which are neceflary to enable *em fully to inftrudt the
People in the meer Neceflaries to Salvation. ' And as ior
our younger Gentry, I cannot think but it would tend
extreamly to furnilh their Minds alfo with that ufcfal
Knowledge in Hiftory, Travels, Humanity, Agriculture,
and all fuch Noble Arts and Sciences, as wili render 'em
ferviceable to their Families and Countries, and will
make *em confiderable both at home and abroad : And
that it will very much keep 'em from idle Converlation,
and the Debaucheries attending it, eo have choice
Collections of fuch Books difpers'd through all the King-
dom, and waiting upon 'em in their own Parlors, as will
ennoble their Minds with Principles of Vertue and trae
Honour, and will file orf that Roughnefs, Ferity and
Barbarity, which are the never failing Fruits of Ignoraflce-
and llliterature. Standing Ldraries will fignifie little in
the Country, where Pcrfons muft ride feme miles to look
into a Book ; fuch Journeys being too expenfive of Time
and Money : But Lending Libraries, which come Ijoitk;
to 'cm without Charge, may tolerably well fupply the
Vacancies in their own vStudies, till ffich time as thefc
Lending may be improved into Parochial Libraries.

And whereas it may beobje^ed, that the Books will
be fo often Borrow'd, .that it will be Iwrd for any one to
have the Book he u'ants. I am fo lar kom beir^ much
roncern'd to anfwer it, that I heartily wilh the great

Ufc

Ufe and frequent Borrowing of Books' out of thefe Li-^
braries, nnay make it a real Obje£HoD. But to reply as
far as neceflary ; the Limitations mention^ above, will
fetch home any Book aPerfon iiall want, within a Month
at fartheft ; and indeed there being fcveral Authors fpe-
cify'd in fuch a Library, as I defigti, upon moft of the
Subjeds, if one be not to be had, Satisfaction mav be
fought in the mean time from another. And^ in the
whole., I am the more forward to hope for great Advan-
tages from ihtfQ LeMd/»g Libraries Gfpechlly , having
had fome Experience of the Benefit thereof in a Country,
where one fuch Library left by a Pious and Learned Di-
vine at his Death, has done much to improve many of
the Parochial Clergy within fome Miles, (who conilantly
borrow out of it,) to that degree, as to make 'em as ufe-
fulMenin their Station, as any I have had the Happi-
nefs to be acquainted with. '

In fliort, as meer Zeal for Publick Service hath excited
me to leave no Stone unturn'd, to procure Parochial Li-
Iraries for the Plantations, in which I thank God I have
had hitherto no mean Succefs; fo if with the fame Labour
I can be ferviceable in the like Defign to my deareft Mo-
ther the Church,and my Reverend Brethren at home,I fhall
think my felf fufBciently happy in fuch an Employment :
And indeed,as I know not that thing in the WorId,where-
in I could take that SatisfadioPjas in this piece of Service
to our Church at home ; fo provided this Dd\^x\ of
Lending Lilraries in England ihould univerfally take
whereby, without any Man's Charge, properly fpeak-
ingi Jo great an Advance wijl be made towards Faiocbial
Lwfaries in the Plantations : Initead of Libraries for
Maryland^ the bounds of my firfl Defign, I /hall not on-
ly

r '4 )

ly extend my Endeavours for the Supply of all the Ehg-
lijh Colonies in America therewith ; but can moft wil-
ling be a Miflionary into every one of thofe Provinces, to
fix and fettle them therein when they are obtained, being,
fo fully pcrfwaded of the great Benefit of thefe kind of
Lilrar'tes^ that I Ihould not think em too dear a Pur- .
chafe, even at the hazard of my Life, being to both Church
and Clergy

A most Devottd^ and

Humhle Servant^

T H o. Bray,

Note

Note, r. In thofe Large and Populous Cities^ where there will be
Subfcr.ibers enough to raife a Library^ there the Library may be
appropriated folely to the Vfe of the Clergy and Gentry of that
Place ^ only it may be expeBed from the Clergy efpecially^ that
their Quota of Subfcriptions be made alfo towards the Deanary-
Libraries for the Vfe of the Rural Clergy^ it being the Firfl and
Principal Deftgn to fupply them^ efpecially thofe in fmalkr Vi^
car ages and Curacies,,

2. Jfin the fame Deanary there are fever al Market -Towns ^ it
would be happy if the Foundation of a Library could be laid in each
of Vw, Libraries being more peculiarly ufeful in Market-Towns^
where ^though it be requijite the Abilities of the Clergy fhouldhe the
greateft^ yet the Provijion and Maintenance for that Purpofe is
commonly the leajl,

3. If the Foundation of a Library can be laid in every 'Market-
Tdwn^ then the adjacent Clergy and Gentry may entitle them-
felver by their Subfcriptions ^ to the Library of fuch Neighbour^
ing Towns ^ from whence they /hall be able with mofi cafe and
conveniency to fend for a Book at any time,,

4. // thefe Deanary 'Subfcribtions fhall fo multiply^ that any one
of the Books propofed in the following Sett fhall become fo fear ce^ as
not to be had at all^ or at an unreafonable rate^ then another
Book equivalent in its intrinfick Worth and Price fhaU befent in
itsjlead.

(17)

■III if

•■••■MBMmaak

T H E

CATALOGUE of BOOKS

. Defign'd to lay the Foundation of

EenDmg Eil)?aw$

Tobefix'd in all the Market-Towiisin &ig^W,

FOR

The Vfe of the Clergy , School-

Mafters, and Gentlemen of fuch

ToTi'm, andTari/hes adjoining^ as /hall

fubfcribe towards the Tur chafe of the

/aid ^oof{s.

Biftory,

Eccelefiafticai,
General.

D

Zfp/ns Ecclefiaftical Hiftory, 5 rj, FoL

Platinas Lives of the Pope's ; conciau'd by
Sir Paul Rkaut. Fol.

D Parti- •

(t8)

Particular,

Sleidans Hiftory of the Reformation of the
Church, from the Errors and Corruptions of
the Church of Rome^ FoL

Biihop Burnetts Hiftory of the Reformation of the
Church of Engl an d^ z f^ol. FoL

Civil,
General, \

Vferii Annales V. & N. Teftamenti, FoL
Particular,

?uffendorf\ IntroduQion to the Hiftory of Ew

rope, 8^
Mazarays Hiftory of France, FoL
Sir R. Baker's Chronicle of the Kings of England,

continu'd to the latter End of King Charles the

Second, FoL

Geography and Tra\elsy

General,

f^4rf«/iAf's Geography, with ^S'jw/^^'s Maps, and

the County-Maps of England, FoL
Thefaurus GeografhiciUy FoL

Particular,

Camden s Britannia, FoL
Dr. Browns Travels through the greateft part of
Europe, FoL -^(/-

{ Vp )

MifoHsTwrds to Jtafy, %f^cLZ%.

Sir George iVheelers Travels into Greece^ FoL

Sir John CharJins Travels through the Black

Sea^ and the Ciountry oF Colchii into Ferjiay and

the EaJl'InJies.
Knox sHi^oty of thelflandof Ceylony FoL
Gage's Dcfcription of the WeH- Indies^ 8?.
Dampie/s Voyage round the World, 83.

Theology
I. Apologetical,

Grotius de Veritate Chrifliana ReligioHts^i?,.

Parkers Demonftration of the Law of Nature, and
of the Divine Authority of the Chriftian Reli-
gion, 4®,.

Biihop l^/i?/Ws Sermons at Mr. J??y/^'s Lc^
durcs, 4^.

Bilhop JVUkins Natural Religion, 8^.

II. General Bodies of Divinity,

Ell'ts 39 Articuli, xx"^.

Dr. Scots Works, 4 Vol 8^.

Fhillifp a L'tmhorcb Theologia Chrlfliana^ FoL

Turret hi Compendium^ 4^.

III. Particular upon fome of the more impor-
tant Subjc(5ts.

Firft^ Ufonihe Whole ^ody of Chriftian Faiths or
on fdme of its Great Articles.

Biftiop Pearfon on the Creed, FoL

D % Dr.

( xo )

Dr. Fellings DLviae Exi(\ence, 8?.

Bilhop StilltMfJIe^t's Vindication of the Holy

Trinity, 8^.
-—Upon the Satisfadion of Chrift, 8^.
Dr. h'oJy upon the Refurreftion, 8^.
Dr. Sherlock on Death, 8S.
•—On Judgment, 8^.

Secondly, Upon iphat relates to the Duties of
Chrifiianity^ and upon the Duties themfehes.

Suarezcle Legihiu^ FoL

Uifhop Taylors Duiior Dubitantium^ FoL

Sander jon de Qlligatione Confcientia^ 8^,

— -9 Cafus^ 8^,

Whole Duty of Man's Works.

A'<f///tfu;^i's Meafur^s of .Chriftiart Obedience, 8^.

Goodmans Penitent pardon'd, 8^.

Biiliop Patrick on Repentance, and the Lent-Faft.

Dr. Hooper on the Lent Faft, 8®.

Kettlewel on the Sacrament, 8®,

Dr. Lucm of Happinefs, 3 Parts^ 8^.

IV. Sermons.

»
Tilloijons Sermons, FoL

Sir Matth, //^/^j's Contemplations, Moral andDi-
Yioe|^3 Parts^ 8^.

V. Controvcrfie.

Dr. C^w^^r's /?^wtf« Forgeries, with the Church-

Hiftory, 4 Parts, 4^.
Mr. ^//^//'s Works, 4 Parts, 82.

Falk"

( 11 )

Falkners Lilertas Ecclejiaftica^ 8®.

Biihop Kings Inventiort s of Men in the Worftiip

of God, with the Defences, 8^.
Snake in the Grafe, 8?.

VL Humanity,

HoYac^y > In Z/fitm Delfhini.

Juvenal^ and Perfius^ ^

Vl[L Towards the promoting ojf Natural
Knowledge.

Dr. Gilfonh Anatomy, 8^.

Compleat Gardener, by HovSwuQMintinU^ FoL

AN

( « )

•AN

ADDITION of BOOKS

To the Value of Ten Pounds, to be fenc into
fuch Veanariesy where the Clergy arc in a Con-
dition, and the Centry are forward to lay
a larger Foundation for thcfe L tnding^Uhrmes ;
the Money to be returned, one half at prc-
fent; the other at the next Jfic/?^g/m4j-Vifita-
tion.

DR. Howell's Univerfal HiOory, 3 Vol. Fol.
Hiftory of the Council of Trent ^ Fol,
Archbiftiop Laud's Life, Publifli^d by Mr. Wharton, Fol.
Thevenot'sTr2Lvds into P e rjia znd tlic Eajl- Indus, Fol,
Dt. Barrows Sermon's, j yol. Fol. not now to be had, but
will be reprinted if this Defign takes, as will many
other valuable Books noVv out of Print, particularly the
next, viz.
The London Divines Cafes againft the Diflentcrs, Fol.

• N. Commentators tifon

the Scriptures^ fuch as Dr. HammondV Jmotations, andBtJhjf Pa-
tricks Paraphrafes^ are not inferted in this Catalogue, becaufe fuch
ought to he always at hand to be confulted upon occafion ^ whereas the
Books falling under this Defign are to be read through^ and then fpeedtly
returned,

^•^' ^' FINIS.

advertisement;

Bl^LIOTBBQA PA^OCBIALIS:
Or, A Scheme of (uch Theological Heads,
both General and Particular, as are more pecu*
liarly Requiiice to be well Studied by every
Paftor of a Parifli : Together with a Qataldjgue
of ^ooks which may be Read upon each of thofe
Joints- !B)f THO M A S B R A Y, D.V.

Ijondon^ Printed by JE. ff for Rohert Clavel^ at the.
Peacock in St. Pauh Church- Yard, x ^97. ,

An Essay Towards Promoting All Necessary and
Useful Knozvledge, Both Divine and Human^ In
All Parts of His Majesty^s Dominiofis^ Both at
Home and Abroad was suggested by Mr. Lewis
Stark, Chief, Rare Book Division, The New York
Public Library, for our Christmas Greeting. Wc arc
grateful to Mr. Thomas R. Adams, Librarian, John
Carter Brown Library, Brown University, for lend-
ing their copy for reproduction.

G. K. HALL S CO.

COMPOSITION nV UN AM HOENSEN PRESS, PORTLAND, MAINE
PRIN lED BY THE MERIDEN (iRAVURK COMPANY, MKRIDEN, CONNECTICUT

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