TO

THE PARISHIONERS OF

SAINT MARY, NEWINGTON,

SURREY,

These Lectures

WRITTEN FOR THEIR EDIFICATION

AND PUBLISHED AT THEIR DESIRE,

ARE INSCRIBED

BY THEIR FAITHFUL FRIEND

AND MINISTER.

PREFACE.

IN publishing these Lectures, I yield to the earnestly expressed desire of many who heard them delivered. I feel that in so doing, I lay myself open to much animadversion; but I see not how I can shrink from it on this account. Of this I am conscious to my inmost soul, that I desire hereby to promote the Salvation of men, and the Glory of our God and Saviour.

The Lectures were delivered in Advent last; and my reason for selecting this subject, was, That I found myself frequently at a loss, in my Sunday discourses, in explaining some points of

Christian doctrine; on account of the imperfect information too often possessed relative to certain fundamental principles of the Gospel. I was well aware, however, that Lectures such as these were hardly adapted to a Sunday audience, I therefore embraced the opportunity offered in Advent, of delivering them in the Week-Evenings. And having preached them, I felt that I could not refuse to print them when called upon to do so.

It is unnecessary to detail the causes which have delayed their appearance so long. To those who are acquainted with the circumstances of the Parish, this would be needless; and to all others uninteresting.

As, on the one hand, I desire not, and shall not enter into, any controversy on the subject of these Discourses; so, on the other hand, I shall receive with thankfulness the correction of any

error into which I may inadvertently have fallen. I have written, as simply as possible, for the good of the people committed to my charge; and not for human praise. The Lectures were not composed as Arguments intended for the press (this is very apparent)-but as Practical instructions for plain people. And if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom; nei"ther the CHURCHES of God."

The great Apostle's hope, I trust, is mine; That as in all things, so now also, "Christ may be magnified in my

66

body, whether it be by life or by “death!'