PRINTED BY S. COLLINGWOOD, PRINTER TO THE UNIVERSITY,
FOR THE AUTHOR,

AND FOR J. G. AND F. RIVINGTON, ST. PAUL'S CHURCHYARD,
AND WATERLOO PLACE, LONDON.

SOLD ALSO BY J. H. PARKER, OXFORD; AND H. C. LANGBRIDGE,

BIRMINGHAM.

1832.

PREFACE.

It would be much to be regretted if ever the custom of assembling for divine worship after dark, instead of after noon, should generally prevail against the more suitable employment of our sabbath evenings in the exercise of domestic devotion. Such at least is the conclusion to which the author must own that he has arrived, after carefully balancing the advantages and disadvantages of a nocturnal service. And in adapting to the use of families this volume of Discourses, he has designed especially to furnish matter of profitable reading, for those later hours of the Lord's day, which he is convinced are in most cases best spent in the sanctuary of home. With this view he has selected from his parochial sermons such as either for their subject, or the manner of treating it, seemed most fit for reading aloud to an assembled family; slightly altering those passages which were exclusively adapted to a more large or a more mixt congregation. Many expressions - however remain which will indicate that the Sermons were composed for pulpit use. But these may be not unwelcome to the domestic