it) of a believer, who after following, with only his original clew given him, a track and progress of his own, so far as to have gained his convictions by reflection, rather than by much study, has in the end found himself in the highway where others are, and where he believes established truth to be. In such light, as to its substance, is the present Work to be regarded. The Author entered upon it, in chief part, for this very reason, that he was able to write while his thoughts were fresh; and while the result of them might both be proposed to judgment, and judged of, independently, without protection or favour. He does not speak thus boastfully; but in humility, and fairness. Should the matter of his Lectures be considered unprofitable, it is his desire that they should perish at once in their own obscurity. On the other hand, if it should be esteemed differently, the greater correspondence with confirmed opinions which can then be pointed out in them will be the greater testimony in their favour. Being conscious that he is no wilful plagiarist, the writer himself is unambitious of any other

praise, than that of a sincere advocate of what is holy, and just, and good. He is, indeed, rejoiced to acknowledge obligation to some very near and dear friends, for assistances in his Work, of many kinds : but he knows of none, on account of which any apology is due from him to the general reader.

66

In deference to the kind and disinterested counsel of some friends in the University, whose judgment he esteems most highly, he has omitted some passages of considerable length, which were delivered from the pulpit; and thrown others into the form of " notes," which may be either read, or passed over, without much interruption to the general subject. A very few passages have been inserted here, which were omitted in delivery on account of time; but scarcely a word has been added to the manuscript from which the Lectures were preached. Such verbal and other corrections also have been made, as might prevent the charge of wilful carelessness. With these exceptions, the Lectures now presented come forth as they were spoken.

The Author only desires to express farther, his grateful sense of that good opinion of his intentions, which procured him his appointment; and of all personal kindness experienced by him during the discharge of his office.

EXTRACT

FROM

THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

OF THE LATE

REV. JOHN BAMPTON,

CANON OF SALISBURY.

"I give and bequeath my Lands and Estates "to the Chancellor, Masters, and Scholars of the "University of Oxford for ever, to have and to hold "all and singular the said Lands or Estates upon "trust, and to the intents and purposes hereinafter "mentioned; that is to say, I will and appoint that "the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford for "the time being shall take and receive all the rents, "issues, and profits thereof, and (after all taxes, repa"rations, and necessary deductions made) that he pay "all the remainder to the endowment of eight Divinity "Lecture Sermons, to be established for ever in the "said University, and to be performed in the manner following:

"I direct and appoint, that, upon the first Tuesday "in Easter Term, a Lecturer be yearly chosen by the "Heads of Colleges only, and by no others, in the "room adjoining to the Printing-House, between the "hours of ten in the morning and two in the afternoon, "to preach eight Divinity Lecture Sermons, the year