Ebook A Vindication of Anglo-Catholic Principles

Under the title of "Anglo-Catholic Principles Vindicated," this Work, first published as Special Supplements to the English Churchman, is now being re-issued in a series of Numbers. It will contain select portions and extracts from the works of cotemporary authors, (having their permission), with special reviews of recent doctrinal works, and other contributions, forming a Catena of concurrent testimony to those great Principles of the English Reformation - alike Scriptural and Catholic, - of which, by God's blessing, there has been such an earnest revival in the Church of England during the last thirty years.

The selections are chosen with the desire to give full expression to the Divine Truths of the Sacraments, and other essential truths, (on which there are still such lamentable differences among sincere Churchmen,) in the bonâ fide spirit of the English Prayer-book, - neither shrinking from the full recognition of the Catholic doctrines of our Church, as had been too generally the case before the revival of Church principles, nor subverting them, in effect, by a disloyal attempt (which is now being made by some among us) to strain them beyond their true meaning and intent.

The Parts of this Series from the 1st to the 6th are now completed. A short review of the Revival of Church Principles of late years in the Anglican Church, by the Bishop of Western New York, was selected for the first Part, as forming an introduction to the entire Series; and we are much indebted to him for the means of giving to our fellow Churchmen in England such an earnest and grateful acknowledgment of the results for good to the Church, for which we cannot be too thankful, and also for his friendly warning against the errors and excesses that have grown up with its progress.

In the second Part we have endeavoured to set forth, in the impressive and eloquent language of the Bishop of Winchester, the Bishop of Western New York, and the Dean of Chichester, the great Principles of the English Reformation, - reminding us of our best Inheritance and only true Bond of Union, and as unfurling before the Churches and the Sects our rallying Standard in these "latter days," when we have to deplore so many signs around us of perverse self-will in teaching and practice, producing so much discord and distrust. "If the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?"

We have devoted Parts III., IV., V., and VI. to the consideration of the Sacrament of Holy Communion, in regard to its doctrine, its rites, and its most important conditions. As the highest Mystery of the Christian Church, and the richest blessing to the human race, we have endeavoured to approach so holy a subject in no spirit of mere controversy, but with the sole and earnest desire to bear witness to and vindicate the Truth, revealed to us in God's Holy Word. Our best acknowledgments are due to those Authors who have given us their free permission to republish portions of their works, and have thus enabled us to fulfil one of the chief objects for which this Series has been undertaken.