PREFACE. Ir has been amongst the most remarkable occurrences in an age fertile in remarkable events, that the essential principles of the Church of England have been, in our day, more freely canvassed, and more generally examined, than in any antecedent period. Nor has this been done by those who are hostile to her constitution, and opposed to her doctrines on the contrary, it has been done by those who are first and foremost in voicing her claims, and avowing their affection to her ordinances. It is the friends of the Church who have the most eminently distinguished themselves in these inquiries, and it is by them that such of her defects as the operation of time has produced, have been the most courageously exposed, and the most honestly denounced. It may appear somewhat singular-and in good sooth it is so that now that more than three hundred years have elapsed since she underwent A 3 that great change which we recognise as the Reformation;—that learned and pious of her members should be divided on those sovereign and essential points which form her very ground-work;—that the extent of her authority-the nature of her constitution-the character of her policy, should be vexed questions,-alarming to timid brethren, and a source of weakness and calamity to the Church herself. It has been a matter of charge against our Church that in her Creeds and Articles she is too straightlaced-has defined and determined matters to an extent incompatible with that freedom of opinion which is the undoubted privilege of all reasoning men. How widely different is the fact, appears from the present aspect of opinion within the Church. A greater diversity of opinion could hardly exist, unless it were one which involved the essential principles of religion-the grounds of hope and foundations of belief. Whatever some may think of it, we cannot regard the diversity which exists with any feelings of alarm. It will do good if it does no more than induce a more earnest and thoughful examination of the principles on which the Church is established, and which constitute its title to the allegiance and advocacy of all who believe and call themselves Christians. "Melius est petere fontes quam |