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I avail myself of the prefent occafion with cordial pleasure. Allow me to say that, independently of all private confiderations, the proof which your Lordship's conduct afforded of vigilant folicitude to adopt any measure which, in your opinion, should seem likely to be fubfervient to the eternal interests of the inhabitants of the diocefe configned to your fuperintendence, excited in my mind very lively emotions of fatisfaction. May the grace of God attend and profper your pious

exertions!

It may be right to add fome few words refpecting the Volume now infcribed to your Lordship. Different writers of Sermons, all aiming at the fame ultimate object, pursue it, according to their refpective views, judgements, habits of ftudy, and other circumftances, in different ways. The vineyard of God will employ and remunerate labourers of various defcriptions. My prefent efforts, as an humble workman in that vineyard, have been principally directed to two 6 points:

-points the elucidation of fome fundamental doctrines of our faith; and the inculcation of á practical truth of the highest moment, yet a truth which too often, if we may judge by the language in common use among men when speaking either concerning themfelves or others, is fatally undiscerned or difregarded, that nothing fhort of an avowed and unreserved furrender of the whole heart to God through Chrift, evinced, under the bleffing of divine grace, by a zealous and habitual pursuit of universal holiness, is Religion.

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Many perfons appear to imagine that, when once the researches of an individual into the Chriftian Revelation have fatisfied him as to its facred authority, the remainder of his religious courfe lies plain and easy before him. They perceive not that he has afcended but the firft and the leaft laborious acclivity of the mountain. Surely it requires but a small degree of infight into human nature and the Scriptures to discover with how much greater facility

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facility the understanding is convinced of fpeculative truth, than the heart is fubdued to a productive faith and a practical love of holinefs. I fhall rejoice if any part of the following pages fhould be rendered inftrumental in dissipating the pernicious delufion which I have mentioned.

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CONTENTS.

SERMON I.

JESUS CHRIST the Corner-Stone.

I PETER, ii. 6.

Behold! I lay in Sion a chief Corner Stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on Him fball not be confounded.

SERMON II.

Page i

The Christian Method of Juftification explained and vindicated.

ROMANS, iii. 20-22.

By the Deeds of the Law there fhall no Flesh be juftified in His Sight: for by the Law is the Knowledge of Sin. But now the Righteoufnefs of God without the Law is manifefted, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets; even the Righteousness of God which is by Faith of Jefus Chrift.

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SERMON III.

On the Nature and Efficacy of Divine Grace.

2 COR. xii. 9.

And He faid unto me, My Grace is fufficient 'for thee: for My Strength is made perfect "in Weakness."

SERMON IV.

Page 53

On the Nature and Efficacy of Divine Grace. 2 COR. xii. 9.

And He faid unto me, My Grace is fufficient " for thee: for My Strength is made perfect in Weakness."

SERMON V.

75

On the Nature and Efficacy of Divine Grace.

2 COR. xii. 9.

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And He faid unto me, My Grace is fufficient

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for thee: for My Strength is made perfect "in Weakness."

SERMON VI.

97

On the Marks which diftinguish a real

Christian.

GAL. V. 24.

They that are Chrift's have crucified the Flesh with the Affections and Lufis.

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