and the reader will find himself rewarded for his pains by some distinct views of the doctrine as held by the early Fathers. To say more would be to express an opinion which the scope of the work forbids: the reader must judge for himself between conflicting parties. We may speak somewhat confidently on the general accuracy of the quotations, as no pains have been spared to verify them. The whole work has undergone the able revision of an eminent scholar, Dr Giles of Bampton, and the extracts have been compared, when in type, by another distinguished scholar in London, with the originals at the British Museum, or in Darling's Divinity Library. Thus care has been taken to preserve the author's own words, except where introductory or connecting matter has been abridged, in order that the reader might the more readily arrive at the point to which the author was tending. In some very few instances, where the works have become scarce since the extracts were taken, this comparison has not been made, but we have no reason to doubt their accuracy. The work is further indebted to Dr Giles for many of the translations, where no name is given, and his high reputation as a scholar, is a guarantee for their accuracy. During the long period that this work has been in hand, some of the authorities quoted have been superseded by others, whilst the old editions and translations of some writers have given place to newer. Thus, the notices taken from Rees's Cyclopædia might now be furnished from more complete Biographical, Historical, and Bibliographical Dictionaries, and the quotations from the former editions of 1803 and 1826 of Mosheim's Ecclesiastical History might possibly have been better given in the recent translation by Mr Murdock in the edition of 1845; but it is evident that slight imperfections, arising necessarily from the length of time requisite to complete a Synopsis embracing a period of sixteen centuries, do not diminish the general value of the work. It will be observed also that many opinions are given on the authority of Dupin, who as a Roman Catholic may be considered partial, but his work is universally esteemed, and the English translation quoted from has been subjected to the scrutiny of the Editor, Dr Wotton. The reader must also bear in mind. that the Vulgate is often cited, in consequence of which some variations from our authorized version occur. As the last sheets of this work were passing through the press a thin Svo volume has been published by Mr Parker of Oxford on the same subject, with this important difference in plan, that the anonymous compiler professes in his preface to prove that the Fathers of the Church have always held the doctrine of Baptismal Regeneration, and adduces all his quotations to establish this fact. My Father, on the contrary, leaves his readers to form their own conclusions from extracts impartially gathered. He has to acknowledge his obligation to Mr Parker's book for a few quotations given in the Appendix, which had escaped his research. In now appearing before the public he wishes to reiterate the sentiment that his only motive is a desire of usefulness, and a humble hope that his labours may tend to mitigate the heat of our unhappy divisions. Perfect unity of sentiment appears impossible to minds which, however sanctified, no longer reflect the perfect image of their Creator. Even the Church of Rome has not pronounced on every doctrinal question, and where her unity has been most perfect, it has too much resembled the uniformity of the charnel house where no breath is heard because there is no life. Did she gain any real victory when she silenced Pascal and dispersed the inmates of Port Royal? Will the Church of England acquire strength and increased efficiency, if she banish from her communion those of either section of opinions, who are, in the main, sincerely attached to her doctrine and discipline, and believe they may conscientiously subscribe to her articles and minister according to her formularies? Angels desire to look into the mysteries of man's redemption and shall he himself clann infallibility in describing the secret workings of the Holy Spirit by which this blessed consummation of our highest aspirations is effected? "And now I beseech thee not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another." 2nd Epistle John, v. 5. Keyford Parsonage, May 2, 1850. H. D. W. |