TO THE READ E R. THESE Sermons, preached on important Occafions, were separately published by their excellent Author, the late Bishop of London, Dr. THOMAS SHERLOCK. The judicious Reader will difcover in them the fame Energy of Sentiment and Purity of Diction, the fame pious Intention to promote Virtue and true Religion, the fame pathetic and convincing Addrefs A 3 drefs to the Heart, which fo eminently distinguish the rest of this Prelate's Difcourfes. Dr. SHERLOCK no fooner appeared in the great World, than he gave evident Proofs of the Extent of his Learning and the Superiority of his Genius. It has been Matter of Doubt with fome good Judges of Style, whether the first of these Sermons, which he preached above seventy Years fince, when a young Man, has been excelled, either in Language or Matter, by any that he delivered from the Pulpit afterwards. There is not, perhaps, a more difficult Tafk, than the doing Juf tice to a great and exalted Character. We shall not, therefore, prefume to draw a Portrait of Bishop SHERLOCK; but will just observe, that his Views, both in civil and religious Matters, were always large and comprehenfive, not confined to the narrow Systems of particular Parties, nor fubjected to the fluc- ' tuating Principles of powerful and interested Men: that he was a moft ftrenuous and able Defender of the great Truths of our holy Religion : that he made it his conftant Practice to inculcate the chriftian and focial Virtues; to enforce a due and ready Submiffion to the Laws; to inspire Prince and People with a Sense of their respective Duties, and to discountenance all tempo |