PREFACE. ERY few of the following Sermons are more VERY than common parifh-difcourfes; which are perhaps more generally useful, than fermons of a higher clafs. None of them are on deep fubjects; tho moft of them on fubjects of great importance, which are impreffed with what perfpicuity and force the author was able to give them. They are in general, fhort-certainly too fhort for pulpit difcourfes. But there feemed no great neceffity for amplification, repetition, or recapitulation in printed discourses, where preceding pages may be examined. They may be useful, when a fermon is delivered from the pulpit; but here they are cut off. A 3 With With regard to the mode in which these fermons are compofed, it may be necessary to say fomething, both on the writer's account, and the reader's. When we write a treatife, we confider the fubje&t throughout, We ftrengthen it with arguments we clear it of objections-we enter into details and in fhort, we leave nothing unfaid, that properly appertains to the fubject. Much prefatorial matter alfo may arife, before we begin the discourse. But in the construction of a fermon, perhaps a different mode of compofition may, in general, be more eligible—at least, where a country-congregation only is addreffed on a common fubject. In the first place, tho a fhort opening of a text may often be neceffary, there seems to be no occafion for a long preface. Whatever appertains immediately to the difcourfe, had better perhaps, be introduced into the body of it. If it do not immediately belong to the difcourfe, it might as well be omitted. At leaft, if it be not perfectly appofite, it takes off the first edge of attention from an audience, which will not perhaps fo readily be restored. A few 7 A few eafy divifions in difcuffing a fubject, feem useful. Some divines think it better to melt all together. But a few heads, I think, are a kind of land-marks, which prevent the confufion of running one part into another. They are alfo heads of reference, which bring a fubject more eafily to the memory. In proving a point before a common congregation, it seems unneceffary to produce all the arguments, that may be used. Such as are most forcible, are enough. Many will labour a point fo much, and throw fo many different lights upon it, that like an object seen in a multiplying-glass, it will be confused, rather than enlightened. The common people cannot separate a chain of arguments. They lofe one in another.And in the arguments you use, if you dwell only on the moft prominent parts, you may make an impreffion, which a long detail, tho equally good in its kind, cannot do. In fhort, it feems to be one of the preacher's great points to draw his fubject into fo compact a form, that his congregation may have a compleat view of the whole. An illustration may fometimes not only explain a point; but have the weight of an argument with fome fome hearers at least, it is a vehicle, which makes advice the better remembered. With regard to language, if you avoid vulgarity, and low ideas, it cannot be too easy. Long fentences are apt to produce confufions. Shorten them as much as you can; and have an eye chiefly to perfpicuity and ease. Sermons conftructed on the plan here described, the author hath thought, from long experience, to be the most useful in a country congregation. Some preachers have the power of fastening the attention of a congregation for more than an hour together. He certainly fhould not wish to check fuch preachers: but with numbers, it may be feared, fuch attempts will be very feeble. In ge neral, perhaps half that time is as long as a coun try congregation can be brought to attend. At least, as much may be faid in that time, as they can well carry off. These remarks however the author does not by any means addrefs to old established preachers; but merely to his younger brethren. To them if they are of any ufe, the author's trouble will be repaid. It may just be added, that as thefe difcourfes were written at different periods of the author's |