in city, and country. His popularity in preaching was uncommon; besides, his ministry, not only in his own congregation, but in several of the most public lectures in the city, was in various instances crowned with remarkable success. Nor was his usefulness confined to the pulpit, but he frequently employed the press to the best of purposes; and his good understanding in the mysteries of the Gospel, his faithfulness and zeal in contending for the faith once delivered to the saints, his capacity and valor in defending the cause of liberty and religion, were manifestly discovered to the world, in the useful pieces which he published. He wrote on a great variety of religious subjects, and his works (says an excellent judge) will be in high reputation, as long as evangelical truth, solid learning, godly sincerity, comprehensive thought, clearness of argument, and a lively animated style, are of any esteem in the world.

The last sermon he preached was August 12, 1759, on the accession of king George I. His subject was Micah v. 5. This man shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land." A few days after this he was taken ill, so as to be prevented from attending public worship for three Lord's days; but during his illness, he waited for his change with a fixed confidence that the end of his faith would be the salvation of his soul. This appeared by the frequent humble, and thankful declarations he made; that his God was with him, and that he was kept nigh unto

him; that none but our Lord Jesus Christ was the foundation of his trust, and therefore he had an assured hope that at his dissolution, his garments being made white in the blood of the Lamb, he should be received into the heavenly mansions, to dwell in the immediate presence of God, where there is fulness of joy, and at whose right hand, (as he often solemnly declared) he firmly believed there were pleasures for evermore, and for him in particular. Hence arose his fervent and daily breathings, Come, Lord Jesus,' and when he had strength he would add, come quickly;' but near his death, through his bodily weakness, his speech so faltered that he was not able to finish the sentence so as to be heard. His exit was joyous and triumphant. He died Sept. 9, 1759.

Upon the whole, this excellent person enjoyed an early and efficacious acquaintance with the grace of God, a large understanding in spiritual things, and in civil liberty. The glory of Christ, and the interest of his country, were so closely united in Mr. Bradbury's principles, that it is no wonder they are sometimes interwoven in his writings, and joined in his motto, Pro Christo et Patria; For Christ and my country. His high regard for the honor of his Lord and Master, rendered him proof against the frowns and flatteries of the world. Notwithstanding he was possessed of an uncommon degree of natural vivacity, yet none could be more steady in the principles of the Gospel; or more constant and regular

in family-religion. He was one mighty in the Scriptures. In his sermons he is clear in his proofs from these sacred oracles, happy in his accommodations of their forcible imagery to his subjects, and their truths to the various occurrences of providence. That share of natural wit which he possessed, enlivens his writings: and being sanctified by the grace of God, was employed by him against the adversaries of religion and liberty. It introduced him to an extensive acquaintance with the members of the two houses of parliament, by whom he was greatly valued as a most agreeable companion. But he accounted his greatest honor to be the instrument of doing good to the souls of those who attended his ministry. He was of a Catholic spirit, loving all who hold the Head, and who love him in sincerity; uncommonly courageous and bold in the defence of truth. He was always open and honest, and delivered the very sentiments of his heart. The gospel of the blessed God was so dear to him, that he desired, if it was the will of God, he might die preaching it. In a word he was a good and faithful servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, eminently useful in his day and generation.*

New-York, June 30, 1810.

* This sketch is chiefly extracted from the Christian Magazine for 1802, No. 68.

THE AUTHOR'S PREFACE.

'THE first and second of these Sermons were preached, and prepared to be published, above eight and twenty years ago, in pursuance of a design which the six Ministers who served Friday Lecture at the Weigh-house, had already begun. They had made a distribution of the several parts, which related to practical duties, into the nature of the work, the argument for it, the excellency of it, the answer to objections, directions in it, and an exhortation to it.

Upon this scheme they begun with the ordinance of singing; the year following they, in the same method, considered the duty of prayer; then hearing the word; and after that reading it; varying the several parts that the ministers were to take. Thus far. for the space of four years we went on in peace, and we had in view the sharing out of this design upon the duties of baptism and the Lord's supper. All the sermons upon the former were delivered from the pulpit; and I will venture to say, the whole was managed with that temper, candor, and evidence, that it is pity mine comes alone into the world, which is upon the head of directions.

I may vouch for all the rest of my breth