I fuppofe it is needlefs to inform the public, that the reafon of printing these sermons, arifes altogether from the favourable reception which the fermon given as a fample of them in TRISTRAM SHANDY met with from the world. That fermon was printed by itself fome 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 fermon was liked, thefe fhould be alfo at the "world's fervice;" which, to be as good as my word, they here are; and I pray to GoD, they may do it the fervice I wish. I have little to say in their behalf, except this, that not one of them was compofed with any thoughts of being printed ;-they have been haftily written, and carry the marks of it along with them. -This may be no recommendation ;-I mean it, however, as fuch for as the fermons turn chiefly upon philantropy, and thofe kindred virtues to it, upon which hang all the law and the prophets, I trust they will be no lefs 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 fubjects, must not look for many new thoughts,'tis well if he has new language: in three or four paffages, where he has neither the one nor the other, A 3 other, I have quoted the author CONTENTS. |