A KEY ΤΟ THE PRAYER BOOK, OF THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH; DESIGNED TO ILLUSTRATE ITS MEANING, USE, AND SCRIPTURAL CHARACTER. BY THE REV. ROBERT WHYTEHEAD, M.A. A CLERGYMAN OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND. wwwww "Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith REVISED, AND ADAPTED TO THE AMERICAN PRAYER BOOK, BY THE REV. JAMES H. FOWLES, RECTOR OF THE CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY, PHILADELPHIA. PHILADELPHIA: EDWARD GASKILL-ARTISAN BUILDINGS. C. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1849, by EDWARD GASKILL, in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court for the Eastern Stereotyped by S. DOUGLAS WYETH. No. 7 Pear St., Printed by T. K. & P. G. COLLINS, PREFACE TO THE PRESENT EDITION. THE circumstances under which the first American edition of this work appeared, and the attention which it elicited from the Episcopal press, have excited a general desire for its republication. With the design, moreover, of furthering its usefulness, several distinguished friends of the views here advocated have been at considerable pains to prepare notes, which, it was thought, would better adapt it to the wants and uses of our Church in this country. Many of these will be found incorporated here, on the Editor's individual responsibility-all such matter being distinguished from the Author's by an insertion within brackets. Through its own intrinsic merits, this volume and its author will be sufficiently commended to the enlightened reader. Many, however, may be led to its perusal, if their notice be called to the high auspices under which it originally appeared in England, and the reception which it there met with from DEC 191914 3000OS 5942 971 (RECAP) (3) the press. It was surely not without a knowledge of the author and his views, that the present esteemed Archbishop of Canterbury allowed this book to be dedicated to himself. It also appears that, in its preparation, the scripturally-minded Bridges took an almost paternal interest. Nor would so conscientious a mind as that of Bickersteth have given the first issue of such a work his editorial endorsement, without deliberate supervision, and welladvised approbation. If, after the approving testimony of this Triumvirate, further praise be not esteemed superfluous, we will only add, that a distinguished correspondent of the well-. established (London) "Christian Observer," characterizes our "Key" in these words: "A work which, for sound erudition and Christian theology, amply deserves careful consideration."* This exposition of the principles of our Church is, therefore, clothed with an authority which should, at least, command the most respectful attention of every evangelical reader. With the simple commendation of it, then, to the consideration of all who hold the truth as it is in Jesus, and to the blessing of God, it is hereby committed to the press. *Christian Observer, April, 1848. |