PREFACE.

THESE Sermons were not composed with the slightest intention of publication. They were presented to the congregation to which it is the author's privilege to minister in the course of his ordinary pulpit instructions. For a long time he had felt that a necessity existed of directing the attention of the flock to the subject of the constitution and polity of the Church to which they were united. This opinion was formed simply upon the principle that it was right that the members of any Church should be acquainted with its history and satisfied of its scripturality and ecclesiastical soundness.

Circumstances, to which the Author adverts with reluctance, combined to confirm him in this opinion, and appeared to urge him to the step of bringing such topics before a congregation. He had observed with pain the indications of an unfriendly spirit on the part of other denominations towards the Established Church. In public and private her govern

ment was represented as unscriptural, her system as alien to the genius of the Gospel, and her formularies were censured as being detrimental to the interests of genuine religion. Satisfied, as the Author was, that such statements were the children of prejudice, or the results of a very superficial acquaintance with the subject, he conceived that he could not better discharge (what appeared to him) a sacred and urgent duty, than by submitting to his congregation the proofs which the Church of England could adduce in support of her pretensions. In taking this step, his hope was that he might be enabled to instruct his own hearers on points not usually made the subject of pulpit ministrations; and remove somewhat of that prejudice and hostility which, it distressed him to observe, occupied the minds of many in other denominations.

In the discharge of this duty, his wish, his endeavour was to speak the truth in candour, and to avoid any thing savouring of a spirit of unkindness towards others. There is nothing he would more pointedly disclaim than a desire to invade the peculiarities of other religious communities. His views on this subject were stated during the delivery of these Sermons, and are now placed on record. His design was instructive and defensive. While he advocates the duty of a minister to point out the excellences of his own Church, and to meet the objections which may

be urged against it, he deprecates aggression, and dislikes the defence which assumes the tone of recrimination.

The kindly-expressed wishes of a large number of the flock have induced him to commit these discourses to the press. He does so in deference to their opinion, though conscious that they merit no such distinction. But to shrink from such a duty when called to it by the voice of a flock whose regard he dearly values and whose establishment in the faith is the prayer of his heart; when urged to it by the wish of his Rector, and the desire of his Diocesan-this he felt to be impossible. It will be to him ever a matter of high gratification, that his willingness (for that may exist where the ability is wanting) to advocate the truth and to remove misconception, has been honored by the approval of his ecclesiastical superiors, and all classes of the beloved flock among whom his ministry has been cast.

In a work of this nature it is scarcely to be expected that much matter can be found strictly deserving to be called original. The subjects treated of have been so often and so ably discussed, that a writer entering upon them in the present day must feel conscious that he is travelling over an explored country. He may place an argument in a different light, or pursue it into details into which it has not been pressed by others, or make truth more striking

by the combination of facts and proofs; but he can scarcely hope to become a discoverer. The writer of these discourses feels that he is indebted to the labours and talents of others for the hints at least of some of the arguments adduced; and of course for many of the facts urged in illustration of them. Amongst those to whom he would acknowledge himself indebted, he would especially mention the author of " Letters to a Dissenting Minister," and the "Layman," who has placed the Church of England, and the cause of religion in general, under such deep obligation by his valuable "Essays on the Church."

March, 1838.