Transcribed from the 1864 John Henry and James Parker edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org, using scans made available by the British Library. [Picture: Pamphlet cover] EXTRACTS FROM “SIKES ON PAROCHIAL COMMUNION,” RELATING TO EPISCOPACY, AND THE SIN OF SCHISM. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * OXFORD and LONDON: JOHN HENRY AND JAMES PARKER. 1864. * * * * * TO THE RIGHT REV. THE LORD BISHOP OF OXFORD THESE PAGES ARE, WITH HIS KIND PERMISSION, VERY RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY HIS OBLIGED AND OBEDIENT SERVANT, THE COMPILER. PREFACE. HAVING, through the kindness of a friend, had the opportunity of reading a book which appears as scarce as it is valuable, “Sikes on Parochial Communion,” it has seemed to me desirable to make a few extracts from it, in order that a work which has evidently been the product of much thought and deep study, may not be wholly lost to those persons who value sound reasoning and clear expositions of Scripture truths, but who may not (as it has been long out of print) have the privilege of reading the book itself, which would of course be far more interesting and instructive, and which also, towards the latter part, treats ably on the duties of the people to their spiritual pastors, and the error of those who are “given to change,” and fond of the excitement afforded by fresh ministry. Extracts from “Sikes on Parochial Communion.” IF the sacred character and divine authority of the Christian priesthood were correctly understood, it would greatly conduce to the prevention of those many divisions which at present distract the Church of Christ. It is at present much to be feared that there are few who feel any obligation to submit, upon a right ground. It is necessary therefore, in the first place, to lay the foundation firm by establishing the principles of ecclesiastical obedience, and by a brief recurrence to the nature and constitution of the Church. We see the bishops each in his diocese claiming jurisdiction over every Christian residing within them, and calling upon them to obey and submit themselves to them in all spiritual matters. How is this claim made out and proved? Let this be the question at present under discussion.