therefore, are not hasty nor crude, nor are they in any respect, new doctrines. But they are results derived, as he conceives, from the Fountain of Truth, approved by the primitive Church, and sustained by the principles of the reformation; and he puts them forth because he believes them to be THE TRUTH, and because he is fully persuaded that the interests of truth are identical with the interests of the Gospel. But although the ideas expressed in the following pages, are neither new nor hastily adopted by the author, yet he has to acknowledge that they have been somewhat hastily put together-too hastily for his own satisfaction, and-it may be-for the satisfaction of his friends. His apology rests upon his strong desire,' that the chapters contained in the latter part of the dissertation, and treating on our ecclesiastical judiciary system, might be placed before the Church some months previous to the approaching General Convention, in the hope that some course may there be taken which might save his own diocese the trouble of any particular legislation on the subject, and enable our clergy and our people to arrive at definite conclusions on a class of topics, always of high practical importance to the peace, the order, and the character of the Church, but only felt to be of consequence, unhappily, during those occasional emergencies, which occur but rarely, and do not continue long. Doubtless, this is one reason why the subject has not been fully provided for before. Surely, however, since the Church possesses a constitution and laws, it is high time that all should know, who are the judges, whose official duty it is to construe them. Surely, since we have Governors or Presidents appointed over our dioceses, and justly characterize them as having descended from the original Apostolic platform, it is high time to understand what powers they have derived from that primitive source, and how they are to be sustained in exercising them. And as these topics involve principles of equal interest to every part of the Church, it seems fit that they should not be asserted in any particular diocese, until the whole Church has had an opportunity of acting, understandingly, upon them. Separated, as we are, from each other, throughout the wide extent of the United States, and each continually occupied by those daily duties which may not be slighted nor postponed, the author had no method within his reach, more likely to turn the attention of the General Convention to the defects of our ecclesiastical judiciary system, than an early publication of this volume. Let this be accepted as his motive for a measure of haste, which under other circumstances, he would himself have deprecated; although he does not aspire to that class of authorship, which finds a stimulus for protracted labor, in the hope of wide renown, or in the anticipated praises of posterity. The writer has but one word to add, and that is on the subject of his authorities. He thought it better to confine himself to a few distinguished names in two particular periods—the first, the period of the primitive Church before the Nicene Council -the second, the period connected with, and immediately succeeding the reformation. Irenæus, Tertullian, Cyprian and Eusebius, of the first,-Luther, Melancthon, Calvin, Hooker, Chillingworth, Burnet, &c. of the second, are chiefly cited. The notes were in no instance taken at second hand; and therefore, he considers himself altogether responsible for their entire fidelity: and the originals are added, at the foot of the page, in order that all who prefer it may make their own translation. The limits assigned to the book, which it B was important to confine within a moderate compass, obliged the author to adopt this course, instead of undertaking to expatiate at large through the immense field of learning, which has been cultivated-and sometimes unprofitably enough-on the subjects in question. Nor even upon this plan, has he given place to more than a small part of the passages which he had noted for insertion; although, if he is not greatly deceived, there will be found an ample sufficiency of the best authority on every point which called for its support. He commits his humble work to the candid consideration of his readers; and especially to the blessing of Him, who is the Great Head of the Church, and who has promised to be with it, 'alway, even to the end of the world.' Burlington, Vermont, CONTENTS. LECTURE I. The command to come to Christ-Obedience LECTURE II. The Protestant Episcopal Church misunder- |