TO THE

RIGHT REVEREND FATHER IN GOD,

JOHN BIRD,

LORD BISHOP OF CHESTER.

[NOW ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY.]

MY LORD,

"Ir is a very small thing" with you to "be judged of men, or of man's judgment;" and

it

may seem presumptuous in me to shelter my humble volume under your Lordship's kind patronage. But I venture to plead in my own defence not only my deep esteem for your Lordship's character, as a distinguished ornament of the Church of England, and a consistent exemplar of Christian piety and true Churchmanship; but also the stamp of evangelical currency-let who will reject itwhich the influence of such a name imparts to any work to which it is (by permission) prefixed.

Truly grateful for such a favour, and ear

nestly praying that it may please God, (by whose grace your Lordship has been made a blessing to many, and a pattern to all;) to prolong your valuable life for many years to come, and crown it with increasing honour and happiness,

I remain,

Your Lordship's

Most humble and

Devoted servant,

ROBERT WHYTEHEAD.

TO THE READER.

WHOEVER would enter into the Evangelical design of the Prayer-Book, must bear in mind that its structure is purely spiritual, and can be fully understood, duly appreciated, and rightly used by the faithful only. FAITH is the Key to this spiritual Temple. If we come to it with a child-like temper, mixing faith with these blessed words of prayer and promise, culled from Holy Scripture, we shall perceive the sunshine of grace and salvation beaming throughout its deepest recesses, and the glory of God and the Lamb irradiating the whole.

PREFACE.

THE object of the present work is to supply (what appears to the writer an important desideratum) an Evangelical illustration of the Prayer Book, combining critical remarks and historical details of an interesting character, with practical improvement, and spiritual in

struction.

In executing this design, free use has been made of the works of Bishops Sparrow and Mant; Dean Comber, Nelson, Wheatly, Palmer, and other Liturgical writers. In addition to which will be found many original references to standard authorities, both ancient and modern, quotations from the Fathers, and some extended remarks on questions of vital interest at the present day.

The object of the writer being especially to develop the true principles of Reformed piety, as held by the Protestant founders of the Church of England, and displayed in her prayers and authorized services; he has endeavoured constantly to keep in view the Articles and Homilies of the Church, as the doc