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النشر الإلكتروني

PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION

THE kindness with which this book has been received both by the Clergy and by the Press, makes it necessary once more to insist on the point that if a preacher does not lower his doctrines to the level of his own attainments; so, on the other hand, he must not be regarded as having mastered the difficulties which he knows to be incident to his profession, if he attempts to set them forth before his fellowlabourers. For, apart from a temptation to exaggeration and unreality which belongs to subjects of this kind, there must always be a fear lest they prove to be the writer's own condemnation. "Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself?"

There is nothing which seems to require. notice, in the criticisms passed on the book, except the statement of one of the daily

journals, that it is here suggested that "the only way of forgiveness is by Absolution." As the Reviewer has not even read the title-page, ascribing it, as he does, to another author, it is, perhaps, needless to say that there is no such teaching even in suggestion in the addresses, to one who will take the trouble to read them.

I wish to express my great indebtedness to an old friend and parishioner, who has added this to his other kindnesses-that he has enabled me to correct certain faults of expression, and textual errors, which, I hope, will make this edition more accurate and complete.

W. C. E. N.

3, AMEN COURT,

Michaelmas, 1894.

PREFACE

THE first eight of these addresses are published as the fulfilment of a promise made a few years ago to His Grace the Lord Archbishop of York, then Lord Bishop of Lichfield, on the occasion of the first diocesan Retreat given in that city. Since that time it has been found possible to complete the series, and they are put forth, such as they are, as a small contribution to the higher side of the ministerial work, in which it would seem there is more room for the expression of some simple thoughts than there is on the side of the well-occupied field of pastoral work.

It need hardly be said that the title, which is taken from the Instructio Sacerdotum in the old Service-books, refers to the inspired words of S. Paul,' which form the basis of these addresses, and not to the addresses themselves, for which, indeed, an apology would be due, were it not

1 2 Cor. vi. 4–10.

amply understood that such words as these are not delivered as from a master to pupils, who have much to learn; but as from one who, from a painful experience, knows something of the difficulties and failures incident to a great profession such as the Priesthood, and ventures to put them down to see if he can help others.

This book, it should be further added, is not a printed edition of well-used matter, but has been carefully rewritten, and in most cases enlarged and expanded. If it has been difficult to escape repetition, this, apart from any natural poverty of resource, has been owing in a great measure to the fact that the Apostle views the same thing from so many sides, that to expand his thoughts is necessarily to traverse ground which has been trodden before.

In spite of all their imperfections, however, these addresses are submitted to the kindness and forbearance of those whose lives are a constant exposition of the inspired words of the Apostle, in the ranks of the Anglican clergy.

3, AMEN COURT,

W. C. E. N.

Christmas, 1893.

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