the very circumstance of its having been written by a Layman, which must at least exclude the idea, an idea sometimes illiberally suggested to take off the effect of the works of Ecclesiastics, that it is prompted by motives of self-interest, or of professional prejudice. But if the writer’s apology should not be found in the Work itself, and in his avowed motive for undertaking it; in vain would he endeavour to satisfy his readers by any excuses: he will therefore proceed, without farther preamble,