ADVERTISEMENT. HE reader is entreated to confider thefe TH · fermons as entirely calculated for a popular auditory, fuch as a clergyman, ardently defirous of doing good, would write for the ufe of his congregation, without an intention of their being ever read; and which, when they have been preached, are to be depofited in his study. This is the author's apology, for offering to the world a volume of discourses containing very little reasoning; for he never knew a deep reafoner an useful preacher, but he knows fome deep, and very excellent, reafoners, who often preach to very small, and fometimes very inattentive, congregations. A clergyman may read the fermons of Clarke and Sherlock with great improvement to himself, but would deliver them, from the pulpit, with little edification to tradesmen, and their wives, and children'; to farmers, mechanics, fervants, and laborers. To 1 such an auditory, abstract reasoning, and profound argument will, generally, be unintelligible. It is not meant, however, to recommend flimfy declamation, which may, indeed, please the ear, but generally fails to impress the mind. A fermon, in the judgment of every critic, should unite, according to its subject, a certain portion of plain argument, with a pathetic appeal, and forcible address to the hearers. The author, having no motive but utility in the publication of the following fermons, deprecates the feverity, and folicits the candor of his readers. CON CONTENTS. SERMON I.-1ft. Cor. iv. 2. The re- |