NINE LECTURES UPON THE Rien HISTORY OF SAINT PETER. BY THE REV. HENRY BLUNT, A.M., RECTOR OF STREATHAM, SURREY; OF PEMBROKE COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE; AND CHAPLAIN TO HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF RICHMOND. FIFTEENTH EDITION. LONDON: J. HATCHARD & SON, 187, PICCADILLY; 1839. PREFACE. AMIDST the numerous occupations in which every parochial clergyman must be engaged, there is little time for the composition of elaborate discourses. All that can usually be effected, is to speak plainly and affectionately, week by week, and day by day, of those great and blessed truths which engage, we trust, some portion of our own heart, and of the hearts of many among the flock committed to our charge. That nine Lectures preached consecutively should, therefore, possess small claim to public attention, will astonish no one; that they should have been published at the desire of some of the Congregation, will not astonish those, who know any thing of the partiality naturally existing, between every Minister, and the people among whom he dwells. The endeavour of the author, has simply been, to bring before his hearers some of the admirable points in the character of St. Peter, and to illustrate some of the striking situations in which he was placed; in the hope, and with the prayer, that acting in faith upon the Divine promises,' this feeble effort for the glory of God, and the good of his 1 See Isaiah lv. 10, 11. |