ΤΟ Faith and Piety. A MANUAL OF INSTRUCTION AND DEVOTIONS. Second Edition, revised. LONDON: JOSEPH MASTERS, ALDERSGATE STREET, AND NEW BOND STREET, 100. u. 134. PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. THE great revival of Church Doctrine and Ritual has given rise to the want, long felt by many, of some comprehensive and systematic book of devotions, embracing the Sacramental system more fully than those in ordinary use. As a step to. wards supplying this want, and as an act of loving service to the Church, the Compiler has been induced to put forth this book. In so doing, he has acted from a desire to do his part in giving depth and permanence to this great movement; and from a deep conviction, that while every layman is bound to do his utmost to revive the Ritual of the English Church, it is a duty he owes to GOD jealously to guard, in every pos sible way, against its degenerating into mere æstheticism, and that love of show, to which the corrupt human heart naturally tends, when watchfulness and increased strictness of life do not accompany the development of outward ceremonial. So also, in the return to the primitive practice of daily, or very frequent celebration of Holy Communion; how unspeakably precious and blessed is the privilege to those whose desire and aim is to live holy, self-denying lives, treading in the footsteps of their LORD. But to us, who are content with the ordinary routine of worldly pursuits and pleasures, there is danger, lest, from its frequency, we should neglect to "try and examine ourselves," and so not be "meet partakers of these holy Mysteries." It is related of a very holy priest, that when speaking of celebrating the Holy Eucharist, he wept, saying, one ought to be a seraph.” What humility, what searchings of heart should there not be in those also who communicate, that they "may come holy and clean to so heavenly a Feast." "Put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground:" is the spirit in which we should approach the revival of the solemnities of God's worship, and in which alone we can freely and safely use all the ordinances of His Church. Impressed by the writings of the Fathers, with such thoughts respecting the Eucharist, the Compiler has been led to appropriate a large space to Preparations for Holy Communion: omitting Devotions for the time of Communion, which are already provided in many excellent manuals. With an earnest desire to attain in some degree this important end, if not in all Churches, yet at least in that one in which he is most deeply interested, and for which he is in a measure responsible before GOD, the compiler (following the order of the Book of Common Prayer, and taking the standard of the Primitive, undivided Church, by which our own is guided,) has put together a few of those precious treasures of devotion, which are scattered in rich profusion over the bosom of the Holy Catholic Church. The fervent outpourings of the hearts of the saints, belong not to any one age or section, but are utterances and gifts of GOD the HOLY GHOST, designed for the edification of the whole Body of CHRIST; the kingdom which cannot be circumscribed within the limits of any National branch, however flourishing, but extends east and west, north and south; from Pentecost to the end of all things; for however successful Satan may have been in marring the outward unity of the Church, thanks be to GOD, he has had no power to sever the bond which unites the souls of the faithful in all ages and climes, in one communion and fellowship in CHRIST their Head. Although much valuable matter has been of necessity omitted, this Guide has exceeded the limits originally intended by the Compiler, who is deeply conscious of the imperfect way in which he has performed his important task. He resolved, however, to publish it in its present form, that he might obtain the criticisms and suggestions of his brethren, who, as Churchmen, are equally interested with himself in making this book (if another edition is called for) as complete as it can be, and worthy of the confidence of all the members of the Church. He hopes to prepare from these pages, and from unused materials, a smaller and cheap book for parochial use. In submitting this book to the criticism of friends, he would ask them to bear in mind that it has not been compiled in the quiet study of a secluded parsonage, but during the constantly interrupted leisure hours of a life of anxiety and toil, which compelled the dropping of the thread time after time, to be gathered up again as best he could, thereby causing manifold defects. It was undertaken as a labour of love, and no pains have been spared to make it conducive to the glory of GOD and the good of others. The grateful acknowledgments and thanks of the Compiler are due to those dear and valued friends who have so cordially given both counsel and help. To the Rev. T. T. Carter, for his kind revision of considerable portions of the MS. and proof sheets; to the Rev. T. S. Evans, for the loan of important liturgical works; to the Rev. J. Skinner, for some valuable matter on prayer; and to the Rev. G. C. White, for many practical suggestions, and for the portion on Confession. To the Rev. S. C. Malan, of Broadwindsor, he is under special obligations for his most disinterested and generous spirit in allowing the free use of the translations of the beautiful Eastern devotions contained in these pages. Lastly, this work is humbly and earnestly offered to Him for Whose sole glory it has been done; and is heartily commended to all fellow-labourers in the mighty and blessed work of reviving His Truth amongst us. All Saints, 1862. R. B. |