during a season of comparative retirement, of labouring to withdraw the mind from mournful contemplations by occupying it with useful pursuits. And he hopes to be pardoned for so far intruding the facts of his own history on the attention of others, as to state, that he has never felt his trials so little as when thus striving to minister to the wants of a suffering world--as when, having nothing but a "mite" to offer, he has been endeavouring to cast that mite into the "treasury" of God. Almost the whole of the Sermons in this volume have been preached within the last two years, in the pulpit of that parish which Divine Providence has committed to his care. The circumstances of so large a proportion of the texts of these Discourses being taken from a few limited portions of the Holy Scriptures, arises from their having been parts of courses of Sermons preached upon those particular portions of the word of God. To this mode of preaching the Author is strongly disposed, as having a tendency to economize the time otherwise consumed in the selection of texts and topics; as presenting to the hearers large and unbroken masses of the Book of God; as securing the preacher from a partial distribution of the word of life, by selecting only those passages which might chance to suit the peculiarities of his own theological creed. As to the doctrines contained in this volume, it is the humble hope of the Author that they are not the mere dogmas of any human school or writer, but the faithful transcripts of Scripture, and of those formularies of his own Church, which he believes in his conscience to be the least imperfect of all human documents on religion. 級 As to the manner in which these Sermons are executed, he will only say, that, as they have cost him far more labour than he had anticipated, so he has been much disappointed in the success of his endeavours to fit them for the public eye. It is probable that accurate and extensive readers in divinity will discover, not only great deficiencies in this volume, but also that, for the few really important thoughts which it may contain, the Author is chiefly indebted to older and abler writers. Instead, however, of endeavouring to repel this imputation, or to specify these particular thoughts, and restore them to their real proprietors-a task which would probably be fruitless--he begs once for all to state, that, anxious mainly, as he hopes, to do good, he has never hesitated to draw freely upon the resources of others, in order to supply his own great defects. He would therefore beg b those, who may honour these Discourses with their perusal, to consider, with regard both to the reasonings and expressions, not so much whose they are, as what they are; and that, whilst they freely impute all that is faulty to the Author, they will ascribe all that is really valuable to the wisdom and teaching of Him with whom it is impossible to err. He has only, in conclusion, to thank his parishioners, and especially that distinguished public Institution which constitutes so prominent a part of them, for the forbearance and kindness with which they have so long listened to his pulpit addresses-to assure them and the public, that they are not likely to be more sensible than himself of the defects of this volume-and to implore that the sacred influences of the Holy Spirit may supply all these deficiencies, and shed an abundant blessing upon every member of the great family of God.-It is the intention of the Author of this volume, should it prove acceptable to the public, so far to confide in their kindness, as to endeavour, before long, to present them with another. CONTENTS. The guilt and causes of indicision in religion. The necessity of divine influence in the study and use of HEB. xii. 2—4-Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith; who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For, consider him that endured such contra- diction of sinners against himself, lest ye be weari- The Church of Ephesus-on Decay in Religion. Rɛv. ii. 1—7.—Unto the angel of the church of Ephe- sus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast labour- ed, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have some- what against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen; and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. |