TO

R.-J. WILMOT HORTON, Esq. M. P.

PATRON OF THE HOSPITAL AND FREE GRAMMAR SCHOOL,

AT CLIPSTON, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE,

IN WHICH

THE COMFORT OF THE AGED AND THE INSTRUCTION OF THE YOUNG

ARE MUTUALLY PROMOTED;

THESE SERMONS ARE HUMBLY INSCRIBED AND DEDICATED,

BY HIS

TRULY OBLIGED AND FAITHFUL SERVANT,

The Author,

August 23, 1824.

PREFACE.

THE following Sermons, which I have written at different periods, and preached in several Churches, have now been revised and prepared for the Press during a season of comparative leisure. It was not my intention originally, to solicit the names of Subscribers, but I was led to adopt this plan by a heavy domestic affliction. To those who have favoured me with their patronage, from a principle of benevolence and christian charity, I sincerely return my grateful thanks; at the same time I would indulge a fond hope that they will not be altogether disappointed by the work

a

itself. Others, I trust, will also purchase the

work who have not honoured it with their

Names.

The Reader will find something of a con

nected series in the present Volume. The first six Discourses are designed to set forth the great Doctrine of Repentance towards God; the next two, unfold the Gospel Scheme of Salvation through Grace: the ninth and tenth are intended to rouse the careless and profligate to a serious consideration of the value of the soul and eternal things. The remaining Sermons embrace several subjects of a practical and devotional kind, and exemplify the christian character in various relations both in

public and private life.

In my doctrinal views, on some abstruse points, I have endeavoured to follow that middle course which is wisely prescribed by the Church of England.

I have pursued