Also: AFTERNOONS WITH THE SAINTS. Eighth Edition, 4s. THE CATHOLIC CRUSOE. Seventh Edition. Crown 8vo. with seven Illustrations. Cloth, 4s. (For the rest, see back of cover.) I. IS RITUALISM CONSONANT WITH HISTORY? II. IS RITUALISM COMPATIBLE WITH FORMULARIES? III. IS RITUALISM PROMOTED BY THE BISHOPS? A543C THEOLOGICAL LIBRARY LECTURE I. Is Ritualism consonant with History? SOME feeling has been manifested regarding the title of the lectures I propose to give. It is thought to convey a reflection upon individuals. A correspondent, who assumes that he knows beforehand all that I am going to say, refers to a standard dictionary, which defines "Honest" to be: "Acting according or agreeably to promise, or engagement, or obligation, expressed or implied: faithful, trusty, or trustworthy; upright, virtuous; fair and open in dealings; open, frank." I could desire nothing more to my purpose. Not having previously consulted a dictionary, I am obliged for this definition. We will adopt and apply it, in the course of what is now to be said. I shall endeavour to show: First, if ritualism undertakes to represent the historic Church of England, and to continue the ecclesiastical system which we find under Edward and Elizabeth, it is not "faithful, trusty, or trustworthy." Secondly, so far as it claims to be an administration of the formularies to which its ministers are pledged by oath and subscription, it is not "according or agreeable to promise, engagement, and obligation, expressed or implied." Thirdly, if a fair proportion of what we hear is true of certain "economies" and subterfuges exercised by some of the clergy in dealing with their bishops, then the system, in its practical operation, is not "fair and open in dealings; open, frank." And these are the three divisions of our subject. But the general title distinctly states what is here meant: "Is Ritualism honest?" The question is very distinct from another: "Can a ritualist be so?" In this first part, I make no direct inquiry, and shall strive to avoid any judgment, as to personal honesty. We are concerned with the system, as it will be discussed by B |