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PREFACE.

THOUGH he has preached many times, the author of this little volume has written but few sermons. Poor eyes; ill health; and the general wish of his people for private lectures, and sermons at funerals; induced him, in the early part of his ministry, to make an attempt at extemporaneous preaching; and having found it, in his judgment, the most profitable, he has, with few exceptions, preached extemporaneously, since the time when he began.

Two only of these sermons, have ever been transcribed. Whatever may be found in them which differs from the Bible, must be incorrect of course, for that is the standard of truth; and the reader will judge for himself. Errors of small importance; such as respect capital letters; orthography; punctuation; or breaks, are always to be expected; and they may be charged, some to the pen, and some to the press. Whatever errors can be, will be corrected in a list of errata.

The author is but little known beyond the limits of his own parish; and he does not expect that his book will make its way into the circles of taste and erudition; but should it be of any service to some who are in the humble walks of life, his labor would not be altogether lost. Having spent many years with his people; and having had a much larger share in their esteem and affection, than he ever deserved; he is willing to incur some expense, that he may leave a token of his regard for them, which, those who are disposed, may look at, when he himself shall be out of sight. A time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord he has repeatedly wit nessed during his ministry, and he still confidently hopes, that since a vine has been planted in this place, the boar out of the wood will not be suffered to waste it, nor the wild beast to devour it.

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SERMON I.

UPON NEGLECTING THE GREAT

SALVATION.

HEBREWS ii. 3.

How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?

AMONG all the questions which we ask, is there one more important than this? All are interested in the consideration of it; and yet no question perhaps, engages less attention. There be many that say, Who will shew us any good, while the number is small of those who understand what good consists in, and who seek it in the proper way, by saying, Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon

us!

We look out for consequences in common matters; and hope, or fear, in some measure according to the magnitude of the object which we regard. But so sensual, and stupid, has sin made us, that we suppose our whole business to lie in this world, and expect neither good nor evil, except from such objects as we can see.

David inquires, Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? He answers the question himself by observing, He hath said in his heart, Thou will not require it. This is the reason assigned for the contempt of the wicked; and it is a good one, because it explains it.

Is the conclusion of the wicked however, well founded, that God will not require an account of their conduct? We acknowledge ourselves to be accountable one to another, according to the relations which we sustain in society. Laws are made to point out our duty, and men are chosen

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