LV. Instructions to the Parishioners of Wonston con- cerning the Text Papers ............... Nov. 1834 LXXVI. Text Paper-Family Prayer......................... LXXVII. A Word from the Pastor, &c. LXXVIII. Address to every Person, &c. LXXIX. A Word from the Pastor, &c. Address with the Second Edition Circular Address at Whitsuntide, 1839.. A Calendar of the Psalms II. Ministerial Prayer Union...................... III. General Union for Private Prayer.... IV. Extract from a Sermon on Intercessory Prayer V. Extract from the "Lord's Remembrancers." INTRODUCTION. THE object of the following Work is to shew the developement of the principle of church-membership, in its practical bearing upon pastoral duties. It has appeared to the Author, that a simple application of the rules by which the Church professes to be kept in order is not only practicable, when administered with prudent consideration, and with persevering impartiality, but that it is a most efficient means of cultivating the growth of spirituality amongst a flock. He has long conceived that the ground upon which Church privileges are afforded has been very commonly mistaken; and that, while some, in consequence of that mistake, depreciate and neglect the advantages of union with the visible church; others, from the same cause, estimate those advantages at a value which overpasses, and lays aside, the spiritual benefits which it is their main purpose to convey. The supposition that the Church gives her members a warrant for believing themselves to be spiritual children of God upon her responsibility or authority cannot justly be drawn from any of her acts or statements. The notion that she does give this authority has been the cause, why those who disapprove of such a course have thought lightly of her; and why those who approve of it have fallen into the sad errors which tend to satisfy the mind with ritual religion. The principle upon which the CHURCH OF ENGLAND acts in this respect is to B exhibit a clear statement of gospel truth, and to propose to every one a distinct acknowledgment of that truth as a pledge that they will conform to it in practice. She binds all who are willing to make this acknowledgment in her sacramental bonds; and she puts into their mouths a scriptural profession, framed according to such a spiritual standard, that all persons who make that profession in sincerity and truth, must be under divine influence, and therefore members of the true church. But the responsibility for the truth of this profession, and for the sincerity with which it is made, is laid, in each case, entirely upon the individual member who makes it. In charity she believes it to be true, until gross and scandalous inconsistency forces her to assume its hypocrisy; and upon this assumption, to cut off the hypocrite. But while her charity is large, her careful prudence is no less; and this induces her, upon every occasion of communion, to warn her members, that each is answerable for the reality of his own profession; and that the Church, as a body, is answerable for no one. Into the hands of her ministers she places the important duty of carrying out this principle in their pastoral charges. She makes certain rules, and she takes an oath of her clergy that they will correctly administer them. While preaching the gospel of salvation to his flock, the clergyman's part in the arrangement of means appointed by the Church consists in combining a strict enforcement of these rules, with a diligent and faithful declaration of the personal responsibility of each member. It has been the Author's earnest desire, and constant endeavour, during a ministry of many years, twelve of which have been in the same parish, to carry out this principle into action; gradually introducing the Church's rules of discipline as the people were able to bear them; and carefully guarding against any step which could not be fully justified by ccclesiastical requirements. While thus using the ma chinery of the Church as a means of enforcing the necessity of spiritual religion according to her own elevated standard, as large a measure of success has resulted, as, under all circumstances, could have been anticipated. While feeling much thankfulness for the Almighty mercy of Him who has been pleased, by his divine assistance, to grant the portion of success vouchsafed, the Author has for some time been disposed to consider the propriety of making public the details of this endeavour, in order that his brother clergymen might take into consideration, how far a similar mode of proceeding may be applicable to their several flocks. With this view, a work had been for some years in preparation, systematically explaining the mode which has been adopted of bringing into action the several steps in churchdiscipline, as they have been gradually brought forward upon the principle above stated. Such a work required mature deliberation, and a patient waiting for the result of many experiments. In the course of the delay thus occasioned, several things occurred to prove the difficulty of making such a book an instrument of good, without at the same time running a great risk of inflicting material injury upon that portion of the Church amongst whom the experiment had been tired. It was found to be impossible to make the work complete, without imparting to the reader such an intimate acquaintance with the private motives and opinions that guided the clergyman in choosing his opportunity for each particular step, as must necessarily convey much personality of application, for praise and for blame, to the many minds who are acquainted with the locality of the parish. A great evil would thus be likely to result to that dear flock which has been bound in closer bands of affection to the heart of the minister by every progressive gradation in this system. The Author could not make up his mind at such a cost to impart a knowledge of the success to those who might profit |