PREFATORY NOTE TO THE AMERICAN EDITION. DR. GOULBURN, the author of the following Treatise on the Christian Life, is one of the leading divines of our mother Church of England. To his pen is she indebted for a number of the most useful religious works that, of late years, have issued from the press; among which may be named: "LECTURES ON THE OFFICE OF THE HOLY COMMUNION;" "INTRODUCTION TO THE DEVOTIONAL STUDY OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES; "THE IDLE WORD, OR SHORT RELIGIOUS ESSAYS ON THE GIFT OF SPEECH; "SERMONS PREACHED DURING THE LAST TWENTY YEARS;" "SERMONS AT THE BAMPTON LECTURE IN 1850;" "ANSWER TO THE ESSAY ON THE EDUCATION OF THE WORLD.” To those of our own Church who may be familiar with any of these works, his "THOUGHTS ON PERSONAL RELIGION," if not already known to them, will need no word of introduction or commendation. To others, however, it may not be improper to say, that there are few, if any Treatises of the kind, of superior, if of equal merit. It is a treatise marked by great comprehensiveness of subject; strong, practical sense; vigour and beauty of style; fulness and felicity of illustration; and thorough warmth and spirituality of tone. Its words are, most truly, wholesome words—even the words of our LORD JESUS CHRIST; and its doctrine-so sound and moderate withal-is according to godliness (1 Tim. vi. 3). There is nothing in it that is dry, uninteresting, unreal, extravagant, impracticable, or beyond ordinary reach and compass. It is full of stimulus and full of encouragement. It is a manual, not so much, perhaps, for those who have abundant leisure and lead a retired life, as for those, especially, who are engaged in the ordinary avocations of the world. It will teach them how, while living in the world-amid its cares and perplexities-to live above the world; while not slothful in business, to be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; in one word, how to sanctify the secular, all-engrossing pursuit, and the daily toil. What is thus said, is said not without a thorough knowledge and trial of the book. Soon after its first publication in England in 1861, I procured it for my own private use, and its frequent perusal during the past two years, has not been, I trust, without advantage. I have read it in place of a weekly lecture, to a considerable number of my parishioners, and, I believe, to their lasting benefit. I have added it as an approved book to our Parish Library. I have placed several copies of it, and to their great satisfaction, in the hands of intelligent and earnest-minded friends. In one case, during a lengthened sickness, it proved a source of much comfort and instruction-its chapter on the Magnificence of Prayer, solacing almost the dying hour. In the present edition a few verbal changes have been made, in order that it might be the better adapted for the use of American churchmen; a reference to a verse in one of the Psalms has been introduced; and two liturgical works, by divines of our own Church, have been named in addition to those recommended by DR. GOUL BURN. May the blessing of God rest upon the author, and His grace be given to the reader. Laus Deo! LENT, 1864. G. H. H. CONTENTS, "A certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king Religion widely diffused, but of a low type in individuals-the |