PREFACE.

The discourses in this volume were delivered in the parish church of Edmonton, during the winter of 1830-1. They were intended to explain, in a familiar and devotional manner, the daily service of our church.

A few notes will be found appended. The object of these is to trace, in some instances, the accordance of our ritual with the practice of antiquity; and to reply to certain objections, urged against the constitution and formularies of the church, which have not been touched on in the Lectures.

The volume is of very plain pretensions; but in days when our venerable establishment is assailed on every side, it ought hardly to be deemed presumption in any one of her affectionate sons, if he is prevailed on to state openly his cordial attachment to her principles. And it is most important to use every means of making all the members of her communion acquainted with the scriptural grounds on which her ordinances rest, and of enabling them to render a reason why they thus worship their fathers' God.

The reader must not expect originality in these lectures. Every objection that is now made to the church, has been heretofore advanced, and heretofore refuted. The author has therefore availed himself of the assistance of several earlier labourers in the same field. He is indebted chiefly to the 'judicious Hooker;' he is indebted also to Shepherd, and Nicholls on the the Common Prayer; to L'Estrange on the Alliance of

Divine Offices; to Wilks's Correlative Claims and Duties; to Cawood's Church of England and Dissent; and to some other works, to which he has always, he believes, inserted a reference.

He would only add, that it is his earnest prayer, that this little work may receive the blessing of that gracious God, who often, in the accomplishment of his purposes, chooses to employ the feeblest instruments.

Edmonton, April 23, 1833.