On the Priesthood (De Sacerdotio)

Accordingly, various treatises on this subject have been published in all ages, the most celebrated of which is that, a translation of which is now submitted to the English reader. It is the oldest production extant on this great argument, and exhibits in detail the sentiments of one of the chief ornaments of the early church. Chrysostom was born lv in the year of our Lord, 354. He was made archbishop of Constantinople in 398, and died in 407. The work has been continually quoted, and appealed to by all subsequent writers on the qualifications of the ministers of the gospel. Particularly the author of the most noted treatise in our own church on the pastoral care, bishop Burnet, has the following passage in regard to it. After a quotation of some length from the second, third, fourth, and fifth books of the treatise he says—‘ I ‘hope I have drawn out enough to givea ‘ curiosity to such as have not yet read those ‘excellent books, to do it over and over ‘again: for to any, that has a true relish, ‘they can never be too often read. Every ‘reading will afford a fresh pleasure, and ‘new matter of instruction and meditation.’ It seems therefore desirable, that the English reader should be put in possession of a work, so recommended.…