THE DOCTRINE OF THE CROSS ILLUSTRATED IN A Memorial OF A HUMBLE FOLLOWER OF CHRIST. Fourth Edition. LONDON: JOSEPH MASTERS, ALDERSGATE STREET, AND NEW BOND STREET. 1860. I I NOTICE. SINCE the first publication of this Memorial, our Church has passed through five years of searching trial, which has tested the fidelity of her sons, and caused some few to fail in their allegiance to her. We have had to mourn over the loss of some, who, going beyond the teaching of the Church, have embraced dangerous and unwarrantable dogmas; whilst others, especially one referred to in these pages, disregarding the teaching of the Church, have been led, by a vain reliance on their own opinions, and private interpretations of Scripture, into the opposite extreme of still more dangerous error. These grievous defections from the Apostolic Faith show how necessary it is for all men diligently to study GOD's holy Word, under the direction of His Church, and how important it is that we should adhere steadfastly to that noble profession of faith made by the holy Bishop Ken, whose biographer forcibly remarks: "When the love of some members of our Church has waxed cold, and, faithless to their vows, they have forsaken the altars where they both received themselves, and administered to others, the Bread of Life, we may point out to all, and especially to those who are wandering in doubt and error, as a beacon-light, the bright example of a prelate of our Church, who, in days of rebuke and peril, was distinguished for his piety, his constancy, his meekness, his charity; one who boldly rebuked vice, and patiently suffered for the truth's sake; one who, for his love of the Chief Shepherd, taught his flock how they might make the knowledge and love of God, both their daily study and practice; and who in his last but undying declara 1 See "Prayers for the use of all persons who come to the Baths of Bath for cure." By Bishop Ken. With a life of the author, by J. H. Markland, Esq. Masters: London. tion, made a profession which, like 'a father's commandment, and a mother's instruction' (Prov. vi. 20), should be bound about the heart of every dutiful and loyal son of the Church of England: "As for my religion, I die in the holy Catholic and Apostolic Faith, professed by the whole Church, before the disunion of East and West; more particularly I die in the communion of the Church of England, as it stands distinguished from all Papal and Puritan innovations, and as it adheres to the doctrine of the Cross." Whilst the Church has been divided by the contentions of opposing parties, and the minds of men have been distracted and perplexed by the din of controversy, this simple little book has found its way to the utmost limits of the British dominions (besides being reprinted and largely circulated in America) and by GoD's blessing, has drawn many hearts to a deeper and fuller apprehension of the doctrines and discipline of our holy Church; and likewise cheered many chambers of sorrow and affliction with rays of hope and consolation. The |