TO THE READER. THE author of this volume, having frequently been requested by respected friends, to print some of his sermons, offers these, with much diffidence, to the public; and chiefly as an experiment, whether, what he has composed for parochial instruction, can be of any general use. The various duties and active cares in which, through the most of his life, he has been necessarily and much engaged, have allowed him but little leisure, though they have not diminished his desire for literary improvement. There will be found here plain truths, in plain language, with no pretensions to excellency of speech or fine writing. Much better sermons may easily be found; but there is the same reason for continuing to print, as for continuing to preach, new ones. Our desire is, or should be, in every possible way, to induce people to consider, and to impress upon their minds, the things which concern their eternal good. Most other writings are considered as useless, but as they add to our pleasure, or to our stock of literature. But what is chiefly desirable in religious publications, is that they may be read. And this attention may be given to new discourses, when old and better lie neglected. As these are now presented to the public, not in the expectation of gaining honour, but in the humble hope of doing good, the author has not hesitated sometimes to borrow sentiments, and also words from other writers, when found to be better than he could himself conceive or express. By this the reader at least will be benefited. The quotations are in some instances from memory, and may not be exact; and sometimes the sense of an author is given, and not his very words. Possibly, in some few instances, through forgetfulness or inadvertency, credit may not be given to the writers made use of. If through God's blessing, any good may be done, the chief object is attained; that man should have honour is of little importance. The author, by reason of his distant residence, could not superintend the printing, nor examine or correct the proof sheets; and the manuscripts, which were written for his own use only, and some of them long since, not being perhaps very legible, he finds, to his exceeding regret and mortification, that several errors have escaped the vigilance of the press; of which the reader is earnestly requested to pardon and correct the following. ERRATA. Page 13, line 9 from top, for viewed read received. Page 21, line 3 from bottom, for who read whom. Page 23, line 4 from bottom, for useless read sinless. Page 40, line 14 from top, for plans read places. Page 64, line 14 from top, for example read excuse. Page 76, line 1 from top, for unworthily read unworthy. Page 81, line 17 from top, for man read men. Page 82, line 19 from top, for derision read decision. Page 83, line 13 from bottom, for extols read exalts. Page 98, line 12 from bottom, for closely read duly. Page 103, line 13 from top, for him read Tim. (Timothy.) Page 109, line 1 from bottom, for sacrifices read sacrifice. Page 130, line 5 from bottom, for water read waters. Page 143, line 12 from bottom, for perception read perversion. Page 144, line 10 from top, for these read those. Page 159, line 6 from top, for dishonouring read dishonours. Page 160, line 4 from top, for hear read bear. Page 164, line 7 from bottom, for dividing read deceiving. Page 171, line 3 from top, for temper read tempter. Page 174, line 12 from bottom, for other read latter. Page 186, line 3 from top, for professor read professors. Page 195, line 14 from bottom, for power read grace. Page 260, line 5 from top, for writing read citing. Page 277, line 2 from bottom, for Syrian read Tyrian. Page 289, line 6 from top, for reluctantly read resolutely. Page 332, line 3 from bottom, for mighty read weighty. Page 334, line 10 from top, for prayer read prayers. Page 340, line 8 from bottom, for art read is. Page 362, line 5 from top, for uncircumcised read circumcised. Page 370, line 14 from bottom, for interest read intent. Page 379, line 4 from bottom, for unite read untie. Page 448, line 14 from top, for gratitude read rectitude. Page 456, line 5 from bottom, for scripture read scriptures. Page 466, line 7 from bottom, for active read entire. Page 468, line 15 from top, for minister to read minute. Same page, line 4 from bottom, for man read men. ON THE CORRUPTION OF HUMAN NATURE. Rom. viii. 7, 8.-The carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed 1 Tim. i. 15.—This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all Heb. x. 8-10.-Above, when he siad, sacrifice, and offer- ing, and burnt-offerings, and offering for sin, thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; (which are offered by the law;) Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, Ŏ God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are THE CAUSE AND CONDEMNATION OF UNBELIEF. John iii. 19.-This is the condemnation, that light is Rom. iii. 31.-Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid; yea, we establish the law.................... IMMORTAL LIFE BROUGHT TO LIGHT THROUGH THE GOSPEL. 2 Tim. i. 10.-Our Saviour Jesus Christ, hath abolished Rom. viii. 29, 30.-Whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also THE REASONS AND THE REMEDY OF RELIGIOUS MELANCHOLY. Psalm xlii. 5.—Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God; for I will yet praise him for the help of his countenance. 167 THE WATERS OF ISRAEL, OR MEANS OF GRACE. 2 Kings, v. 12.-Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Rom. vi. 3, 4.-Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into his death? therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the Titus, iii. 5.—Not by works of righteousness which we THE FIRST PRINCIPLES OF CHRISTIANITY. Heb. vi. 1, 2.-Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God; of the doctrine of bap- CONTENTS. this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be con- demned with the world. Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. ¡vii Matt. xxii. 11, 12.-And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wed- ding-garment; and he saith unto him, Friend, how ON THE NECESSITY OF A RELIGIOUS REGARD TO OUR SALVA- 2 Cor. xiii. 14.-The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and Matt. vi. 9-13.-After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven; hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And for- give us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil; for |