Sibrary of E. A. Mahes 6-17-40 8v, PREFACE. THE Sermon which gave rife to the publication of these having been offered to the world as a Sermon of Yorick's, I hope the moft ferious reader will find nothing to offend him, in my continuing the volumes under the fame title: left it should be other. wife, I have added a fecond title-page with the real name of the Author-the firft will ferve the bookfeller's purpose, as Yorick's name is poffibly of the two the more known ;-and the fecond will ease the minds of those who see a jeft, and the danger which lurks under it, where no jeft was meant. I fuppofe it is needless to inform the Public, that the reason of printing thefe Sermons arifes altogether from the favourable reception which the Sermon given as a sample of them in TRISTRAM SHANDY met with from the world.- That Sermon was printed by itself fome years ago, but could find neither purchafers nor readers; fo that I apprehended little hazard from a promise I made upon its republication, "That if the Sermon was liked, thefe fhould be al fo at the world's fervice; which, to be as good as my word, they here are; and I pray to GOD, they Vol. V. may do it the fervice I wish. I have little to fay in their behalf, except this, that not one of them was compofed with any thoughts of being printed ;they have been hastily written, and carry the marks of it along with them.This may be no recommendation ;—I mean it however as fuch: for as the Sermons turn chiefly upon Philanthropy, and those kindred virtues to it, upon which hang all the law and the prophets, I trust they will be no less felt, or worse received, for the evidence they bear, of proceeding more from the heart than the head. I have nothing to add, but that the reader, upon old and beaten fubjects, muft not look for many new. thoughts'tis well if he has new language: in three or four paffages where he has neither the one nor the other, I have quoted the author I. made free with. There are some other paffages, where I suspect I may have taken the fame liberty-but 'tis only fufpicion, for I do not remember it is so, otherwise. 1 fhould have reftored them to their proper owners; fo that I put it here more as a general faying, than from a consciousness of having much to answer for upon that score. In this, however, and every thing elfe which I offer, or fhall offer to the world, I reft, with a heart much at eafe, upon the protection of the humane and candid, from whom I have received many favours, for which I beg leave to return them thanks thanks. CONTENTS. SERMON V. p. 55. The Cafe of Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath confidered. I KINGS XVII. 16. And the barrel of meal wafted not, neither did the cruse of oil SERMON VI. p. 75. Pharifee and Publican in the Temple. LUKE XVIII. 14. If part. I tell you this man went down to his house justified rather than the other. SERMON VII. p. 85. Vindication of Human Nature.. ROMANS XIV. 7. SERMON VIII. p. 96.. Time and Chance. ECCLESIASTES IX. II. Ireturned and faw under the fun, that the race is not to the fwift SERMON IX. p. 105. The Character of Herod.. MATTHEW X1. 17, 18. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, SERMON X. p. 117. Job's Account of the Shortnefs and Troubles of Life, confidered. JOB XIV. I, 2. Man that is born of a woman, is of few days, and full of trouble: - SERMON XI. p. 132. JAMES 1. 26. If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his – SERMON XII. p. 145. Jofeph's Hiftory confidered. Forgiveness of Injuries, - GENESIS L. 15. And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they SERMON XIII. p. 158. Duty of letting Bounds to our Defires, 2 KINGS IV. 13. And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been SERMON XIV. p. 169. Self-Examination. ISAIAH 1. 3. The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his mafter's crib;—but |