PREFACE. THE sermon which HE sermon which gave rise to the publication of these, having been offered to the worldas a sermon of Yorick's, Ihope the most serious reader will find nothing to offend him, in my continuing these volumes underthe same title. Lest it should be otherwise, I have added a second title page, with the real name of the author :-The first will serve the bookseller's purpose, as Yorick's name is possibly of thetwo the more known; and the second will ease the minds of those who see a jest, and the danger which lurks under it, where no jest was meant. I suppose it is needless to inform the public, that the reason for printing these sermons, arises altogether from the favorable reception which the sermon given as a sample of them in TRISTRAM SHANDY met with from the world.-That sermon was printed by itself some years ago, but could find neither purchasers nor readers; so that I apprehended little hazard from a promise I made upon its republication, That if the sermon was liked, these should be also at the world's fervice;" which, to be as good as my word, they are here; and I pray GoD, they may do it the service I wish. I have little to fay in their behalf, except this, that not one of them was composed with any thoughts of being printed; -they have been hastily written and carry the marks of it along with them. This may be no recommendation;-I mean it however as such: For, as the sermons turn chiefly upon philanthropy, and those kindred virtues to it, upon which hang all the law and the prophets, I trust they will be no less felt, or worse received, for the evidence they bear, of proceeding more from the heart than the head. I have nothing to add, but that the reader, upon old and beaten subjects, must not look for many new thoughts-it is well if he has new language: In three or four passages, where he has neither the one nor the other, I have quoted the author I made free with.-There are some other passages, where I suspect I may have taken the same liberty; but it is only suspicion, for I do not remember it is so, otherwise I should have restored them to their proper owners; so that I put it in here, more as a general saying, than from a consciousness of having much toanswer for upon that score. In this, however, and every thing else which I offer, or shall offer to the world, I rest, with a heart much at ease, upon the protection of the humane and candid, from whom I have received many favors, for which I beg leave to return them thanks-thanks. CONTENTS. II. The house of feasting, and the house III. Philanthropy recommended. V. The case of Elijah and the widow of VI. Pharisee and Publican in the Temple. VII. Vindication of human nature. IX. The character of Herod. Preached on XV. Job's expustulation with his wife. XVII. The case of Hezekiah and the Mes- XVIII. The Levite and his concubine. XIX. Felix's behavior towards Paul exa- XXI. National mercies considered. On the inauguration of his present majesty. XXII. The history of Jacob considered. |