THE MOTHER OF JESUS IN THE FIRST AGE AND AFTER BY J. HERBERT WILLIAMS Οὗτοι πάντες ἦσαν προσκαρτεροῦντες ὁμοθυμαδὸν τῇ LONDON KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TRÜBNER & CO. LTD. DRYDEN HOUSE, GERRARD STREET, W. PREFACE THE English people holds perhaps naturally the favour of Heaven. Providence rules the world, and the country is evidently destined to achieve, and has actually achieved, a great work in the order of the Providence that rules the world. What is the future in store for it? Accordingly, no doubt, as it corresponds with the designs of that Supreme Ruler. But at least in the matter of religion, the English people dares not only to expect but to claim the divine favour.1 England is in the main without religion, without knowledge of God or of Christ; it has been so any time these 350 years; in Origin of the time of Shaftesbury, in the time Protes of Queen Caroline, in our own time. tantism. But that is in small degree the fault of the English English 'The matter was misunderstood by the Tractarians, and by others before and after them, as if it were the Established Church that received at least divine toleration. A closer and more candid scrutiny discovers easily the truth of the facts. Apart from England and the English this Episcopalian Protestantism has no success, and at home the Nonconforming sects are equally or more prosperous. 510320 |