CONNECTED WITH THE PUBLICATION OF THE TRACTS FOR THE TIMES, WITH REFLECTIONS ON EXISTING TENDENCIES TO ROMANISM, AND ON THE PRESENT DUTIES AND PROSPECTS OF MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH. BY THE REV. WILLIAM PALMER, M.A. OF WORCESTER COLLEGE, OXFORD. OXFORD: JOHN HENRY PARKER. LONDON: J. BURNS, PORTMAN STREET, PORTMAN SQUARE; & J. G. F. & J. RIVINGTON, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD, & WATERLOO PLACE. 281463 SEP 12 1924 ΤΟ THE RIGHT REVEREND FATHER IN GOD RICHARD, LORD BISHOP OF OXFORD, &c. MY LORD, IN thus submitting to your Lordship the humble results of an effort to separate Church principles from certain tendencies, which, to the grief of all true Churchmen, have recently manifested themselves, I am encouraged by the remembrance of the desire which your Lordship has evinced on several occasions to discriminate between the advocacy of orthodox and Catholic principles, which has been the privilege of many in this place, and any exaggerations or unsound tendencies with which it may have been occasionally combined. The spirit of equity and of discretion in which your Lordship has, on several occasions, stated, that your "fears arose for the most part rather from the disciples than the teachers," seems to render it peculiarly fitting, that a work which is calculated to show the justice of those apprehensions, and of the distinction by which their expression is accompanied, should be inscribed to a Prelate, to whom Divine Providence has given an especial interest in the theological movement now in progress, and to whom every member of the Church must feel deeply grateful, for the mode in which the demands of duty in most critical times have been met. I forbear to say what might be added on this subject, sensible that any words of mine would but imperfectly express the general sentiment of gratitude and respect. I could have much wished, that a task which has been undertaken with reluctance, and only under a sense of urgent necessity, should have fallen into other and worthier hands. Strengthened, however, by the advice of many wise and eminent men, I venture thus firmly, but, I trust, in no spirit of unkindness, to draw a line between principles which many in this place and elsewhere have maintained, and certain novel theories and doctrines which seem fraught with danger to the cause of truth. I have the honour to be, my Lord, Your obedient and grateful humble Servant, WILLIAM PALMER. PREFACE. It is the design of the following pages to clear those who uphold Church principles from the imputation of approving certain recent tendencies to Romanism. It is hoped that a plain statement of facts, avoiding controversy altogether, may conduce to the removal of mistakes on a point of so much importance. It seems a duty to truth, not to countenance, even by silence, what we feel to be erroneous and mischievous; and although it may sometimes be difficult to express our sentiments in regard to such matters, without a feeling of apprehension that our words may cause offence to some of our brethren; we must still endeavour to discharge this duty, however painful and difficult, in a spirit of steadfast reliance on the Divine assistance, of recollection and humility as regards ourselves, and of charity towards those from whom we are obliged to differ; and I trust that such feelings have not been wholly absent during the preparation of these pages. I am aware, that some respected friends are of opinion, that it is unnecessary at present to draw any line of demarcation between our principles and those of the "British Critic;" that the views of this periodical, and of its supporters, are not generally identified with Church principles—or that it will be found impossible to persuade the public at large that there is |