Today I’ll begin working through parts of the Country Parson adding comments, taking Herbert up on his invitation to ‘add to those points’. I would appreciate it if you would add comments on the readings as well. The sections are small enough to post completely, you can find the full text at Project Canterbury or at Christian Classics Ethereal Library. I hard copy of Herbert’s poems and the Country Parson, along with good annotations and introductory material can be found here. For biographical information see here.
The Authour to the Reader.
BEing desirous (thorow the Mercy of GOD) to please Him, for whom I am, and live, and who giveth mee my Desires and Performances; and considering with my self, That the way to please him, is to feed my Flocke diligently and faithfully, since our Saviour hath made that the argument of a Pastour’s love, I have resolved to set down the Form and Character of a true Pastour, that I may have a Mark to aim at: which also I will set as high as I can, since hee shoots higher that threatens the Moon, then hee that aims at a Tree. Not that I think, if a man do not all which is here expressed, hee presently sinns, and displeases God, but that it is a good strife to go as farre as wee can in pleasing of him, who hath done so much for us. The Lord prosper the intention to my selfe, and others, who may not despise my poor labours, but add to those points, which I have observed, untill the Book grow to a compleat Pastorall.
When I first read the Country Parson I had thought that it was the wisdom of an old pastor passing on what he had learned to younger minsters. I was surprised to find that it was actually written by Herbert before beginning his pastoral ministry. Here he describes his book as a target or a goal. What an excellent idea, writing and publishing to everyone, ‘this is who I want to be’. Could you imagine someone publishing guide-book today before beginning work in a field? What I find so appealing about this is that Herbert brings ideals to the pastorate that might have been worn down after years in the parish — the first few years of ministry are usually very disillusioning.
I love the line ‘hee shoots higher that threatens the Moon, then hee that aims at a Tree’. Reach for goals higher than you can hit and you’ll do better than simply grabbing for something within reach.
Here we are at Salisbury Cathedral, where Herbert was ordained a priest 19 September 1630.
Scott,
I have grown to appreciate your perspective over the past few months as I’ve peeked in on your blog. I am looking forward to your upcoming “additions.” Very little of my education ever looked to the wisdom of the past, it was mostly contemporary “scholars” who seemed to know little of walking long or often with their God. The concept of “Shepherding” had to take a back seat to “Liberating.” And yet those of us in rural ministries find “success” in close proximity to the role of faithful shepherd.
We CP’s are certainly very accurate at hitting the tree, very effective and precise…too bad God beckons us to shoot for the moon. I would dare say we do a better job at striving to serve our own ambitions than we do our Lord’s pleasure. Of course, personal opinion and nothing more. Looking forward to a more complete “Pastorall.”
This method would be an excellent educational tool. I wonder what I would have said had I been asked in school to lay out what I expected of myself as a programmer or sysadmin. It would certainly be helpful to then compare the real world to the ideals and possibly inspirational in keeping close to those ideals.