Prefatory Note.

I.

The Holy Catholic Church.

REV. V. H. STANTON, M.A.,

Fellow and Tutor of Trinity College; Examining Chaplain

to the Bishop of Ely.

II.

Dogmatic Religion.

REV. THE HON. A. T. LYTTELTON, M.A.,

Master of Selwyn College; Examining

Chaplain to the Bishop of Ripon.

III.

Sacramental Grace.

REV. F. WATSON, B.D.,

Divinity Lecturer and late Fellow of S. John's College;

Rector of Starston.

IV.

Baptismal Regeneration.

REV. A. J. MASON, M.A.,

Late Fellow and Assistant Tutor of Trinity College;

Canon of Truro; Vicar of All Hallows'-Barking;

Examining Chaplain to the Bishop of Truro.

V.

The Real Presence.

REV. J. W. HICKS, M.A.,

Fellow and Dean of Sidney College; Examining Chaplain

to the Bishop of Lincoln.

The Lectures which are collected in this volume were delivered in Great St. Mary's Church, Cambridge, (by the kind permission of the Vicar, Dr. Luard), on five Sunday evenings in the Michaelmas Term, 1885.

It has been felt that one of the chief dangers to which members of the University and others engaged in intellectual pursuits are exposed in the present day in regard to the Christian Faith arises from the vagueness of the notions prevalent about certain doctrines which are, or ought to be, "most surely believed among us." Accordingly the aim of these Lectures has been to supply as far as possible clear and definite statements of doctrine on the subjects treated of.

It will be seen that one main aspect of doctrine has been presented. Taking for granted, as foundation truths, the doctrine of the Holy Trinity and of the Incarnation, the endeavour has been to set forth the way in which it has pleased Almighty God to act on mankind in bringing them to the truth and life which are in Himself. That He has set up a spiritual kingdom on earth, the Catholic Church; that this kingdom is endowed with Divine knowledge and with Divine power-with truth, the knowledge of God (Dogmatic Religion); with grace, the power whereby men are made "partakers of the Divine Nature" (Sacramental Grace); that the two chief manifestations of this supernatural power are seen in (1) the beginning of the Christian life in Holy Baptism, and (2) the sustenance of that life in Holy Communion: these are the propositions

set forth in these Lectures. They do not pretend to be of the nature of complete treatises on the subjects dealt with, but it is hoped that the leading principles have in each case been laid down.

The Lectures are independent of each other, and each lecturer is responsible only for his own; but the common purpose of all has been to teach nothing as "Church Doctrine" but that Catholic Truth which is the heritage of the whole Church. Only in so far as this purpose has been attained would they wish their teachings to be accepted. And with regard to those points of doctrine which are unhappily matters of controversy, it is hoped that what has been said here will be regarded as an eirenicon rather than a challenge, as intended to win acceptance rather than to provoke opposition.