L. AND G. SEELEY, FLEET STREET; FORBES AND JACKSON, ISLINGTON GREEN; AND MDCCCXXXVIII. PREFACE. Ir may be justly remarked, that where our practical working ends, our theory begins; and what is last performed, is not unfrequently first designed. This observation more especially holds good, as it respects the preface to any work, every part of which is, not unfrequently, executed before that is even thought of. The Author of the following pages having, through mercy, completed what he intended, now proceeds to pay that tribute to public opinion which the circumstance of his appearing a second time in print demands. He entertains the hope that, by the blessing of God, this publication will gain some little acceptance from the originality of its plan, which has neither been suggested to him by friends, nor chalked out for him by the labours of the living or the dead. The wants of his own people, the situation in which he is providentially placed in this great metropolis,—the present posture of our ecclesiastical affairs,—and the abounding iniquity of the times in which we live, led him to see its necessity; but whatever disadvantages, in following up the original idea, the work may have suffered in his hands, it is not for himself to determine; suffice it to say, that he is as fully aware of its manifold defects, as any of his readers can possibly be some topics are too much pursued, though comparatively of small consideration, while others, much more weighty and useful, are, in several instances, but partially touched; but the frequent interruptions which he met with, and the languor of mind which was often brought to it after the pressure of other duties, and a variety of other circumstances, might be pleaded in its excuse. In the execution of his plan, the author has not scrupled to |