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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1849 edition. Excerpt: ... And in the early part of the following year, after eight months of assiduous study, he was enabled to embody the result of his reading and reflections in his work, (one of the ablest, unquestionably, in the long catalogue of his remarkable writings, ) entitled, Instructions on ike States of Prayer, 2. When Bossuet thought it proper to write at all, he expected to write as a master. Indeed, the public expectation, which was always disappointed when he failed to leave his competitors behind, did not allow him to do otherwise. Writing as a leader and master of his art, he wrote also as a master of the public mind. His decisions, when given in a manner worthy of his high character, so influenced the public sentiment, that they had almost the effect of the combined wisdom and piety of a council. If he met with opposition, he expected to overcome it; but, generally speaking, he had ceased to expect it, because he had so long ceased to experience it. But, whether opposed or not, he knew that he deserved to be listened to; and he did not expect to write or to speak to careless and indifferent ears. What you write, says the Abbe' de Rance in one of his letters, is decisive. And such was the general feeling in France. He took the precaution, however, at this time, as the resuit seemed to be more doubtful than in some other eases, to sustain himself by the approval of distinguished men. Who knew but that a new Protestantism, arising out of these discussions, would spring up in the very bosom of France? How important it was, then, that the blow, which was about to be given, should be so well aimed, and inflicted with so much power, as entirely and for ever to prostrate these movements? If he had but little to fear from an intellectual conflict with...

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