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THE ONE GOD OF HEAVEN AND EARTH,

IN

THE TRINITY OF HIS SACRED PERSONS,

BE ALL HONOR AND GLORY,

WORLD WITHOUT END,

AMEN.

TO THE GLORIOUS FATHER, AS THE COVENANT GOD
OF ISRAEL;

TO THE GRACIOUS SON, THE REDEEMER OF HIS PEOPLE;

TO THE HOLY GHOST, THE AUTHOR OF

SANCTIFICATION;

BE EVERLASTING PRAISE FOR THAT GOSPEL OF THE

FREE GRACE OF GOD,

HEREIN PROCLAIMED UNTO MEN.

885970

PREFACE.

I FEEL that the readers of my sermons are my friends. Many, doubtless, read to cavil, to criticise, and to condemn; but a vast number have charity enough to overlook the faults, grace enough to profit by the truths, and kindness enough to allow me a place in their hearts. Innumerable are the loving epistles which I have received from those to whom these sermons have been blessed. From all denominations of Christian men have I received cheering words of sympathy and affection. I can appreciate the high Christian feeling which has constrained my brethren to bear with all the things in which we can not agree, and cordially to accept me as a brother beloved, because of those glorious truths in which we alike rejoice. I would, therefore, in this preface salute all the brethren, desiring that grace, mercy, and peace may be multiplied unto them from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May our prayers be heard for each other, when we earnestly pray the Father of mercies to fill us all with the Spirit of his Son, that we may be conformed unto his image in all things, and at last may appear with him in glory.

And now what can I say fresh by way of preface to this volume? Assuredly I am shut up to one subject, and that involves a repetition of the song of former

years. I must sing of judgment and mercy, and at the risk of incurring the charge of egotism, I will here record my praise.

Personally I have experienced a twofold and memorable deliverance; once by an escape from a terrible accident; and yet again, by a happy recovery from most trying and painful sickness. May my life be henceforth doubly devoted unto the service of the Lord!

In the ministry, too, the Lord hath been very gracious. The people have never failed to gather in immense multitudes, nor have the brethren ceased to wrestle in prayer that the Word may be prospered. But my special crown of rejoicing lies in the success which a condescending Master has given to one who feels far more than ever his utter and entire unworthiness of such a favor, for these sermons have upon them the stamp of the Lord's right hand, seeing that he has employed them for conviction, conversion, and edification.

I value a sermon, not by the approbation of men, or the ability manifest in it, but by the effect produced in comforting the saint, and awakening the sinner. Is not this, after all, the practical way of estimating all that is spoken or written?

A fresh source of consolation has been opened to me from the information I receive of the good attending the public reading of these printed preachings. In lonely places there are Churches of Christ whose only ministry is found in these pages, save when a passing evangelist is led to open his mouth among them. In rooms in the crowded. haunts of poverty, these are read to hundreds who could scarcely understand any language more refined; while at races, and fairs, and even at pilgrimages of the Romish

church, these have been used by earnest brethren as a means of obtaining an audience in the open air. In America, more than one hundred and fifty thousand volumes have been sold; in Australia, two local editions have appeared, besides those which have been exported by the London publishers. A Welsh edition has been issued monthly, and several of the sermons have been translated into Dutch, German, and French, while the English circulation remains undiminished.

But what of all this, unless the Spirit of the Lord shall apply the Word with power? In vain true doctrine and faithful warning, without his divine influence. Brethren, pray for us! that the Word may be more and more a "savor of life unto life" in the souls of those who shall peruse these pages.

There is one theme of rejoicing to which I am constrained to allude. The importance of the pulpit is evidently beginning to be recognized. I greatly rejoice in the opening of St. Paul's Cathedral, and other large buildings for the ministry of the Word. May the zeal of the churches increase, and may the preaching be the proclamation of the truth as it is in Jesus. Sound doctrine is as essential now as in the days of the Reformation. We must not congratulate ourselves on the mere assemblage of crowds, but we must see to it that the gospel is preached, not mere moral maxims and ceremonial observances.

With love to all the people of God, I am,

APRIL, 1859.

The servant of Christ and his Church,

1*

C. H. SPURGEON.

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