THIS work, at its first appearance, without the author's name, was favourably received, and an edition of one thousand copies was soon exhausted. Its republication, then and subsequently contemplated, has, from various circumstances, been thus long deferred. At the present, when a growing tendency is manifested to the exaltation of that which is external and ceremonial, over that which is spiritual -to a religion of forms rather than the religion of the heart-the hope is indulged that its presentation, after careful revision, and its wider circulation, will be found seasonable. A few slight alterations have been made, additional notes subjoined, and the closing chapter considerably enlarged.