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SERMONS

BY THE

REV. JOHN VENN, M. A,

RECTOR OF CLAPHAM.

IN THREE VOLUMES.

VOL. I.

THE THIRD EDITION.

LONDON:

PRINTED BY ELLERTON AND HENDERSON,

JOHNSON'S COURT, FLEET STREET:

AND SOLD BY J. HATCHARD, PICCADILLY; AND
RIVINGTONS, ST. PAUL'S CHURCHYARD.

BODLEIAN

16 MAR1954

LIBRARY

PREFACE.

IT has frequently been remarked concerning literary men, that their lives afford few incidents which are likely to engage the attention of the public. This observation seems especially applicable to persons who have adorned the clerical profession. The duties which devolve, upon them have little of variety, and less of ostentation: the pursuits to which they are called are not of this world; and some, that will shine hereafter among the brightest stars of the firmament, have excited little interest beyond their appropriate and limited sphere; so silent was their progress, and so retiring and unobtrusive their character.

Among those who have been most anxious to escape observation, beyond the bounds of their immediate circle, was the Author of the following Sermons. It was his earnest

and particular wish that nothing should be recorded of him in the way of panegyric; and his injunctions have not been disregarded. Far be it from the Editors of this work to offend against a desire so humble and devout, and so characteristic of the individual who expressed it; but they consider it as an act of justice, both to the dead and the living, not to send these volumes, into the world without some account, however brief, of the departed friend who composed them :-and of such a man, how is it possible to speak in language which shall not serve to record their sense of his extraordinary worth?

The Rev. JOHN VENN was born at Clapham, on the 9th of March, 1759. He was descended from a long line of clerical ancestors; some of whom were remarkable for independence of character, and some for patience in suffering. So far as any knowledge of them is preserved, they appear to have lived in the fear of God, and to have been elevated far above the fear of man. Their profession was sacred; their lives

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