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PREFACE.

WHEN I published the two former Volumes of my Bro

ther's Pofthumous Sermons, my Defign was foon after to have printed two Volumes more. And accordingly, a fufficient number was felected for that purpofe, and prepared for the Prefs. Part of which, with the two Sermons reprinted, make up this third Volume.

It is needlefs to trouble the Reader with the Reasons why this Defign has been fo long delayed; and the two intended Volumes at length dropt into One. Indeed, if this had been delayed much longer, I should Scarcely have ever published it at all: for, after the Bookfeller had undertaken to usher it into the world, the decay

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decay of fight came fo faft upon me, that I was not able to correct the Prefs beyond the three first sheets, but was forced to commit the care of that work to other hands.

The most material of the Errata that have been obferved by thofe that Jupplied my place fhall be fet down; and the Reader is defired to correct them with his Pen. And I must here defire him to fupply an omiffion, and correct a mistake in the Preface to the First Volume (which was not difcovered till after the Book was published) p. 8. 1. 21. after Bishop Talbot, add March 16, 1711-12; and p.9. 1. 8. for Dec. 12, read

Dec. 21.

Notwithstanding the Cenfure of fome Minute Philofophers, who fneer at Scripture Orthodoxy-fet up REASON against REVELATION-and like Doctrines never the better for being founded on the Gospel-I am thoroughly perfuaded the Judgment

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of thofe Friends was right, who advifed the publication of the two former Volumes; which, as they were fitly framed to inftruct and edify the ferious Chriftian, fo they have met with a general approbation.

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I have therefore the more willingly complied with the earnest importunity of fome Friends to reprint the two firft Sermons in this Third Volume (the former of which was only printed at first to give away to Parishioners and other Friends) that they might efcape the common Fate of fingle Sermons; and, with others added to them, make up a fizeable Volume, to be tranfmitted to Pofterity.

Notice has been taken, where neceffary (either in the Contents or other Parts of the Book) of the particular Occafion upon which feveral of the Sermons were preached; only one thing may be here remarked concerning the XVIIth Sermon, and the Addition for Charity at the End

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of it; that though this Sermon had been feveral times preached as a Charity Sermon, it was not my defign to publifh it as fuch; and the Addition for Charity was expressly ordered to be omitted; yet, as it happened by fome neglect or mistake to be printed off, before I was acquainted with it, I thought it better to let it ftand as it was, than to cancel two leaves on that account.

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Jan. 1, 1763.

JOHN BERRIMAN.

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