his labours. This, as the MSS. were commonly at a distance, appeared a trouble and delay that might well be spared. Several of the Latin extracts, accordingly, are printed with the modern orthography, though taken from MSS. in which the words are differently spelt. In cases where the Latin words appear in an ancient form, they are presented as they stand in the originals. For the abbreviations have generally been substituted words or syllables at length. To express many of them, indeed, types could not easily have been found, and the majority of them would have tended to disfigure the pages and embarrass the readers. As it was desired to prevent this work from becoming unnecessarily large, Saxon extracts already published have not commonly been inserted. Translations, with references to books containing the originals, were esteemed sufficient. In some cases references only have been supplied. In a few instances Saxon extracts, to be found in former publications, appear again in the following pages. These, however, are passages of more than ordinary importance, and with the exception of the extracts from Elfric's Paschal Homily, they have all been transcribed anew from the original MSS. for the present undertaking. But, in general, nothing that seemed not absolutely necessary for the reader's information has been admitted among the Proofs of the following Sermons. Hence have been omitted Ælfric's interesting Epistles, which have been transcribed entire, and which have hitherto appeared in a mutilated form. These important pieces contain, indeed, a considerable mass of matter not strictly doctrinal. It was thought, therefore, expedient to reserve them for a future opportunity, when they will probably be published with English translations, and a succinct history of the Anglo-Saxon Church. CONTENTS. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. |