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ADVERTISEMENT.

THE Discourses contained in these Volumes are selected from a number which were set apart by the venerable Author himself, for the purpose of being revised with a view to the press. The simplicity, the good sense, the earnestness, and practical tendency by which they are distinguished, will recommend them to the serious reader, though they may, perhaps, be thought deficient in some of those qualities which would gratify the taste of the fastidious critic. They will not, however, be found wanting in curious and judicious interpretations of scripture, which will be acceptable to the intelligent and inquisitive.

Had

Had these Discourses undergone the last revision of the Author, they would have been purified from some inaccuracies of language and negligences of style which are sufficiently obvious to a critical eye, but which it was thought unnecessary to alter, lest such alterations should be found to detract in any degree from the characteristic peculiarity of the Author's manner. A candid reader will make allowance for the unavoidable imperfections of a posthumous publication.

These Discourses consist chiefly of illustrations of select passages of scripture, and useful inferences from them. And it is hoped that they will be read with satisfaction by all who like to see practical exhortations enforced by the principles and motives of rational christianity. But it cannot be doubted that they will strongly recall to the recollection of those who had the happiness of attending his ministry, the venerable image, and the grave, fervent, dig

ADVERTISEMENT.

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nified manner of the pious Author; and that to such readers these Discourses will be doubly endeared, by which to them, though dead, he still speaketh.

The prayers at the end of the several Discourses must be admired by all who have a taste for seriousness, simplicity, and ardent piety, in addresses to the Supreme Being. They are plain, rational, and appropriate; and well calculated to leave a permanent and beneficial impression upon the mind of the worshiper.

Mr. Lindsey was not one of those believers who think it meritorious never to change an opinion which they have once embraced. Truth was to him a gem above all price. He always kept his mind open to conviction, and never thought it too late to learn. And as he changed some opinions rather late in life, it was thought advisable to subjoin to each Discourse the date of its composition, that, if any differences of sentiment should incidentally appear in the Dis

courses

courses themselves, or between these Discourses and any other of Mr. Lindsey's publications, it may be known which was his latest judgement.

It was originally intended to have prefixed to the Sermons a Biographical Memoir of the excellent Author. But as this Memoir grew beyond expectation under the hand of the Compiler, it was thought proper to publish the Sermons by themselves, that the volumes might not be swelled to an inconvenient size, nor the publication delayed too long. It is proposed in a few months to publish the Memoir in a separate volume.

THOMAS BELSHAM.

Hackney, July 1810.

CON

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