it not also that he has been honoured with the acquaintance of many of the most learned and practical men, and some holding the highest positions in the Church, whose kind counsel and opinion were ever at his command; as well as been possessed of the privileged use of that great resource for authorities, the Cambridge University Library,— he would doubtlessly have never undertaken the laborious task of arranging for publication in the work now presented to the Public the rough materials which he had collected for his personal use. He may remark, that the Statute Laws, Constitutions and Canons, and the Ecclesiastical authorities, bearing upon the exercise of the Ministerial function, and the Management of a Parish; as well as upon the various and complicated questions of Liturgical Uniformity, will be presented in due course; and the changes and discrepancies introduced by Custom and now in practice, be also detailed in order, so as to afford, as nearly as may be, a complete Manual' of the LAWS and USAGES affecting the Church and the Clergy at the present day. 6 In conclusion, the Author cannot refrain from expressing the high gratification he has felt in the encouragement afforded him in the conduct of this work by so many members of the Episcopal Bench, among whom he may especially mention his kind friends, the Lord Bishop of Ely, his diocesan; the Lord Bishop of Llandaff; and the much to be lamented DR KAYE, the late Bishop of Lincoln. At the same time, he feels called upon to tender his warmest thanks to those Examining Chaplains, and other persons eminent in the Church, as well as at the Bar, who have been kind enough to favour him with many valuable suggestions. Somersham Rectory, HUNTINGDONSHIRE. |