PREFACE. IT is nearly twenty years since the writer of the following pages endeavoured to direct attention to the events connected with the close of the Christian dispensation; and this attempt has been repeated at divers times, and in various methods, since that period. Time, as it has rolled on, has developed the subject more fully, corroborating, or correcting many former statements; and whoever takes the trouble to read this volume may find several thoughts, expressions, and sentences which are taken from other writings, without the plagiarism being acknowledged: the desire being to state what is true in the clearest and most forcible manner, and not to propound any novelty. The truth is, that there is but One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church; that as circumcision defined the Jews, so does baptism define Christians; and all other definitions and limitations are human inventions: that this Church is the Body of Christ; that it is the instrument by which God effects the blessing of all mankind, and carries on His government of the creation in the world to come; that this Church has an organisation as fixed and definite as a human body; that each subdivision of this Church has the same; that each diocese under its bishop with his assistant clergy, together with every church and chapel under him, has a fixed and definite organisation; and that all these separately independent dioceses are bound together in One by a set of ministers expressly devoted to that end alone: that this set of ministers consists also of a definite number; and that œcumenical councils, or general assemblies of the Church, consist also of a definite organisation: just as a human body consists of a definite form, and number of parts, bones, muscles, sinews, nerves, arteries, veins, &c. ; without the whole of which being in proportion, neither the human nor the mystical body can act, or perform any of the functions for which it has been created. That without Priesthood there can be no Sacraments, and without Sacraments no spiritual life can be rightly imparted or adequately sustained: that the due worship of God can be carried on only by priests appointed by Himself: that all its parts are definite; forms of buildings in which it is carried on; rites therein performed; furniture appropriate to that end; vestments of those who officiate; hours of celebration, &c.; and that the single act which constitutes Christian worship, and distinguishes true from false worship in Christendom, is the offering up of the Flesh and Blood of Jesus Christ, without the eating and drinking of which no one can have part in Him. That measuring itself by this perfect standard every assembly, congregation, or body, calling itself a church, can ascertain how far it is conformable to the mind of God, and how far it has departed from that perfection, and has therefore fallen into apostasy. That the words "Clergy" and "Church" have become, by abuse and corruption, convertible terms; so that the rights of the Church, the interest of the Church, the promises to the Church, the property of the Church, have been synonymous with the rights of the clergy, the interest of the clergy, the promises to the clergy, the property of the clergy; whereas, if any such distinction is permissible, the laity, including women and children, composing the major part, are the body of the Church, and the clergy only the legs and arms by which the body moves, acts, and is ministered unto; the consequence of which perversion has been that men have been provoked to resist and deny the eternal truth concerning priesthood on one side, whilst, on the other, tyranny over God's heritage is induced and practised. The truth, consisting of the many parts above enumerated, is abstract, and applicable to all time, place, and circumstance. It is attempted to be illustrated by reference to |