PREFACE. THIS WORK has at least been produced by a natural process. It originated, and has gradually assumed shape, out of a necessity which has long pressed upon the Author. Having been engaged for some years in teaching theology, he has sought in vain for a manual containing the definitions and terms of that science, and distinctly enunciating the received doctrines of the Church of England. The plan of this work is precisely that which is indicated by its title. It is meant to be an introduction to the Theology of the Church of England. We are so accustomed to magnify our own divisions, and our opponents so habitually mock them, that some may be inclined to doubt whether there is such a theology. The Author would be far from saying that our differences on the doctrine of justification and the nature and efficacy of the sacraments are trivial. But, setting aside those extremes which do not really belong to our Church, though they struggle to find foot-hold within her limits, it is believed that our differences are, to say the least, very manageable, so long as they are discussed on the platform of Holy Scripture. No one accustomed to teach the subjects which, with consider able uniformity, are required by our bishops of the candidates for Holy Orders, can hesitate to acknowledge the solid basis of recognised English Theology. To this it is the object of this work to introduce the Student. It is desired to embarrass him as little as possible with extra subjects or extraneous matter. The time at his disposal is all too little. He is required to read and know many books, sometimes too many. He often fails to trace any unity of teaching or of system throughout his prescribed course. One object of this work is to be a guide to that unity, and to show how each portion of his prescribed reading falls into its place in this great doctrinal code of his Church. For example, the Student as a matter of course reads Pearson's great work on the Creed. There he finds Scripture applied with unexampled copiousness in the text, and abundant patristic learning in the notes. It is most undesirable to confuse his mind with a different arrangement when he comes to the Articles. Accordingly in the first five Articles Pearson's treatment of the subjects is epitomised, with the addition of such illustrative and explanatory matter as appeared neces sary Paley's unrivalled clearness still maintains for him an acknowledged position in the defence of our faith. The student will certainly read at least the first part of his Evidences. It is, therefore, very unwise to disturb the arrangement of the historical proof of the Canon of the New Testament which he has given. And, after all, excepting some matters of detail, that proof re mains where Paley left it. Therefore this is taken as the basis of the proof of that portion of the Sixth Article. In doctrinal subjects, for obvious reasons, Hooker occupies a foremost place. He has therefore been freely quoted, and his true place in theology is attempted to be defined. These examples will serve to illustrate the nature of the work. Everywhere references are given, sufficient to guide the more thoughtful and studious. minds to greater research, and to verify the statements in the text. Further, remembering that the Articles were written by men who had been trained in the Roman system, it is essential for their proper understanding (to say nothing of our own necessities) that the Roman theology should be fully exhibited. This has always been done from unquestionable authorities, and generally from the Council of Trent itself. It is taken for granted that ecclesiastical history has been carefully read, and that its main outlines and principal details are borne in mind. Early heresies, the papal developments, the schoolmen, the chief characters and controversies of the Reformation, gather around us at every step as we make our way through the Articles. It must be assumed that there is a suificient knowledge of these before a close study of the Articles is commenced. It has not been deemed necessary to add more than cursory details to the needful historical allusions. The English text of the Articles is that adopted in Hardwick's History of the Articles of Religion,' a 6 work distinguished by much careful research. In all matters connected with the history of the text the Author is much indebted to it. The Latin text is taken from Sparrow's collection. The chief preceding works on the Articles have been consulted, but, it is believed, have had but little influence in forming the opinions, or moulding the arrangements, here adopted. With very rare exceptions it has been thought the wiser as well as the more respectful course, not to allude to living writers. It is better to prepare the Student for controversy hereafter, if it must needs be, than to entangle him in it prematurely. It has been the desire of the Author to retire as far as possible into the background in the composition of this work. He is conscious that his own individual opinions can have little weight. He desires the Student to feel that confidence which is natural when he knows that the exposition of a given doctrine is that of divines of our Church, some of whom have been for centuries its pride and its ornament. He who knows that he is at one with Hooker on Justification; that he follows Pearson in dealing with the mysteries of the Holy Trinity; and has Barrow's masterly hand in traversing the thorny path of the Papal Supremacy, must feel those convictions strengthened, which it is hoped he has already based on the Word of God. In the more original portions the Author has anxiously endeavoured to furnish the Student with such information and explanations as shall at once be fair and sufficient to put him in a position to understand the men and the questions he will have to encounter in practical life. |