PREFACE. THE HE following pages were written as a course of Lectures; which, however, were not delivered. They are now presented to the public in their original form and arrangement, though with some alterations. in the substance of their contents, in the belief that a review of the organization and outward life of the Christian Church, as exhibited in the New Testament, and compared with the Church in the post-apostolic times, especially in what is termed the Nicene period, will suggest some useful thoughts for the Church of England in the crisis through which it is now passing. The words which M. de Pressensé wrote a few years ago in the Preface of his 'Church History' have lost none of their force and truth at the present time. "Il n'est pas un seul parti religieux qui n'éprouve le besoin ou de se raffermir ou de se transformer. Les Églises nées du grand mouvement du seizième siècle sont toutes engagées dans une crise sérieuse." Whether this crisis shall in our case issue in good, or in evil, is almost identical with the question whether the English Church has sufficient wisdom to see what ought to be done, and sufficient courage to do it. The object of these Lectures is not to advocate the views or opinions of any Church party, or theological school; but to present to thoughtful men a view of the Christian religion in its original form; to mark some of the differences between Scripture truth and Church tradition, between the primitive state of Christianity as it came from the Apostles, and what it became in the hands of uninspired men; and from thence to point out some obvious suggestions for our consideration at the present time. It has been thought desirable in almost every case, instead of merely giving references to quote the words of the authorities appealed to; and to these the attention of the reader is especially requested. TWICKENHAM, May, 1871. |