The following, extracted from the DEDICATION, explains and exemplifies the manner, which the Author adopted in the composition : "In composing them, I must own, I had no other sermons in view as a model, which may, perhaps, be one reason that they are no better. They were written intirely from the scriptures, and from my own heart; of the latter of which at least, they are a true, though imperfect representation. Least of all had I in view as a model, either the sermons of any bigotted devotees to particular systems of religion, distinct from the general and glorious one of the gospel; or such cold, uninteresting discourses as hit the frivolous taste of those, who value sermons only for an imaginary delicacy of sentiment and expression, without solidity, without force or energy; without entering into the spirit and importance of religion. I do not think mine the worse, for not being

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imitations of such as either of these. The former are my aversion, as the illiberal productions of slaves, who desire to tyrannize over other men's consciences: The latter my contempt, as the superficial, insipid, empty harangues of vain men; which do not descrve the name. of sermons. If discourses from the pulpit are adapted only to please the ear and the fancy, like many of the modern fashionable ones ; instead of having a direct tendency to alarm the conscience of a sinner, to warm the heart. of a saint, or to enlighten the understanding of any; they serve, in my opinion, to no better purposes, than those of unseasonably amusing the hearers, disgracing the places in which, and the persons by whom they are delivered, as frivolous, conceited declaimers; who seek only the applause of men, by their sounding brass and tinkling cymbals; instead of designing to do good, by manifestation of the truth, and commending themselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. I must own, I should be a little mortified, as well as greatly disappointed, if any persons who are charmed with such lullabies and opiates to the conscience from the pulpit, should think the following discourses in any measure toler

able."

The following impressive selection is from the seventh sermon: "It should be an argument of no small weight with you to be soberminded, that you will hereby please

your best friends; whereas, by the contrary, you will displease, grieve,and offend them. Do you ask, who these good, these best friends are? I answer in the first place, God, your Father in heaven. He, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, who is good to all, and whose tender mercies are over all his works; He, I say, will unquestionably be pleased by your being truly pious and virtuous Ye have received of us, says the apostle, how ye ought to walk, and to please God, If God invites, if he encourages, if he requires you to believe in, to love him, to walk in his righteous ways, certainly he will be pleased with your doing so; and displeased if you do otherwise. Has he not said, 'I love them that love me, and they that seek me carly shall find me?' Is not his holy Spirit said to strive with men to this end? and to be grieved with those that resist and oppose him?with them that abuse his goodness, and oppose his light and truth; choosing to walk in the paths of darkness and error, vice and misery? What compassion did God of old express towards Ephraim! what pleas ure at his repentance, and return to him!-assuming, as it were, all the passion and tenderness of an earthly father."I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus I smote upon my thigh; I was ashamed, yea, even confoundcd, because I did bear the reproach of my youth!' Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a

pleasent child? For since I spake against him, I do earn, estly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord." Consider also the well known parable of the prodigal son, as it is commonly called; one principal design of which was, to represent the love and compassion of our heavenly Father; and his pleasure in those that return to him. It is said, that when the foolish, unhappy youth was on his return home, but while he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And presently after, the father is introduced, saying to the elder brother, 'It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad; for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.' Thus compassionate is God, to those who err from his truth and ways; and thus pleased when they repent and return.

This is also the principal scope of two other parables in the same chapter: One of which our Lord him. self explains and applies in these words." Likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth"-and the other of them, in words to the same purpose, "Like as a father pitieth his children," says the psalmist, "so the Lord pitieth them that fear him." And, surely, you have no friend equally good and great as the God and Father of all; none whom you are under such strong obligations to

please; none, whom you ought, from a principle of ingenuity and gratitude, to be so cautious of offending.

Another of those good friends, whom you will please by your sobriety, is the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, who loved you so well as to come down from heaven, to live a miserable life on earth, and to die an ignominious accursed death upon a cross for your redemption. This you may be positively assured of for "he gave himself a ransom for all" tasted death for every man," and is the "propitiation for the sins of the whole world." In the days of his flesh, he shewed the tenderest love and kindness, not only to young men,as is recorded upon several occasions, but even to little children; taking them up in his arms, blessing them, and saying, "suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Our compassionate Saviour is said to have been grieved for the hardness of their hearts, who refused to listen to his heavenly instructions, counsels, and warnings, designed for their good. And how tenderly did he lament the folly, the impenitnce, and the approach ing destruction of Jerusalem when he beheld the city and "wept over it saying; if thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day the things which belong to thy peace, but now they are hidden from thine eyes." And again, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonVol. VI-No. 6.

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est them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children togeth er, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not !" What a lively representation is this of his compassion even for obdurate sinners! The Lord Jesus Christ, though set down in heavenly places, far above all principality and power, has the like love, the like pity, the like tenderness for you all in general, now, that he had of old, for Jerusalem. His goodness is unchanged; be can still have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; being a mérciful, as well as faithful high priest in things pertaining unto God. And will you displease, will you grieve, will you offend such a friend by persevering in sin and folly? one who has laid you under such immense obligations?

The holy angels though un seen and unknown by you, are often and truly excellent friends to you, whom you would highly please and delight by obeying their Lord and ours, and whom you displease by persevering in your sinful ways. They are all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister to the heirs of salvation. And it is particularly declared by our Saviour, that "there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." Surely then you will on the other hand give them trouble and sorrow, if sorrow can touch those pure and blessed intelligences, by resisting and dis

obeying of the truth. And does it become you to grieve those benevolent spirits, who are as it were, your appointed guardians; who delight in doing good offices for you, in conformity to their charge; and who would be so rejoiced at your conversion to God?

Other of your friends, some of whom were probably once known to you, though now removed out of your sight, and whom you would please by being sober minded, are "just men made perfect;" the noble army of martyrs, and of the whole church of the first born which are written in heaven. Amongst these are all your pious ancestors who have died in the Lord, and who now live with him beholding his face in righteousness. Amongst them are also, probably some of your other near relations and cotemporaries, those whom you lately knew and conversed with. All, all these as well as the innumerable company of angels, wish to see you truly wise and virtuous; that so in due time they may hail you to those blissful regions; and that you may forever be associated with them in one glorious society," a kingdom that cannot be shaken." Yea, my young brethren, methinks, al most I now hear them calling to you from the celestial man sions, in the same words the two witnesses heard from heaven, when a great voice came to them saying, 66 COME UP HITHER!" For the bride the Lamb's wife (the church triumphant) as well as the spirit saith, "COME, and let him that

heareth say COME: and let him that is athirst, come: and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."

Your best friends on earth, as well as in heaven, will be rejoiced to see you wise and virtuous; and grieved to see you foolish and profligate. I may here particularly mention your pious and good parents, who have done so much for you, and whose love you cannot doubt. A wise son, says Solomon, maketh a glad father; but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother. Every virtuous and good parent, could sincerely address his child in the language of the same wise king" my son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine; yea my veins shall rejoice."-All good men would far rather see their children sober-minded, the friends and followers of Jesus Christ, than beautiful, rich, and prosperous in this world. And whom, upon earth, should you be so desirous to please and gratify, or so loth to grieve and disquiet, as those to whom, under God, you owe your very being? those who have brought you up with so much care and tenderness, taking unwearied pains for you; and whose chief worldly concern is probably, to see you well provided for, virtuous and happy?

But you have many good friends besides your parents, who would sincerely rejoice to see you truly religious. All your acquaintance in general, that fear God, would be pleas ed to have proper evidence of