Πᾶσα φυτεία ἣν οὐκ ἐφύτευσεν ὁ πατήρ μου ὁ οὐράνιος ἐκριζωθήσεται.

THIRD EDITION.

MATT. XV. 13.

LONDON:

B. FELLOWES, LUDGATE STREET.

1842.

LONDON:

RICHARD CLAY, PRINTER, ERLAD STREET HILL.

TO THE CANDIDATES WHO RECEIVED

ORDINATION

AT CHRIST CHURCH, DUBLIN, NOVEMBER, M DCCC XL.

TO THE MOST REV. CHARLES DICKINSON, D.D., LORD BISHOP OF MEATH,

WHOSE

CONSECRATION

TOOK PLACE IN THE SAME CHURCH, DECEMBER, M DCCC XL.

*

AND TO THE BISHOPS AND CLERGY OF THE PROVINCE OF DUBLIN,

WHO ATTENDED THE TRIENNIAL

VISITATION

HELD IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER, M DCCC XLI.

This Volume,

CONTAINING THE SUBSTANCE OF THE DISCOURSES DELIVERED

ON THOSE OCCASIONS, RESPECTIVELY,

IS INSCRIBED,

WITH EARNEST WISHES FOR THEIR PRESENT AND ETERNAL WELFARE

BY THEIR SINCERE FRIEND AND FELLOW LABOURER,

THE AUTHOR.

* Of this inestimable Prelate the Church was deprived by death, in July 1842. May those who were so happy as to know and to appreciate him, have the grace to profit by the rich legacy he has left them in his bright example!

PREFACE.

THE following Essays contain the substance of some Discourses not originally designed for the Press, but which I was strongly urged to publish by several of the persons to whom the Volume is inscribed."

I have endeavoured to throw the materials into a form more suited for private perusal than that of the Discourses originally delivered. I fear, however, that in consequence of frequent interruptions

In the earlier part of the first Essay, I have been much indebted to a valuable Work which, for several years, I have been in the habit of recommending to divinity-students,"Wilson on the Interpretation of the New Testament," [published by Parker, West Strand.] In the first edition this notice, though referred to in a foot-note to § 6, (as if inserted) was accidentally omitted in this place.

In the second Essay I am indebted for some useful hints, to the valuable work of Vitringa (now rendered much more accessible by Mr. Bernard's abridged translation) on "the Synagogue and the Church." The most important points, however, of coincidence of views between this writer and myself, are to be found, in substance, in works published before I was at all acquainted with Vitringa's.