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I suppose it is needless to inform the public, that the reason of printing these sermons, arifes altogether from the favourable reception which the fermon given as a sample of them in TRISTRAM SHANDY met with from the world. That fermon was printed by itself some years ago, but could find neither purchasers nor readers, so that I apprehended little hazard from a promise I made upon its republication, "That if the fermon was liked, "these should be also at the " world's fervice;" which, to be as good as my word, they here are; and I pray to God, they may do it the service I wish. I have little to say in their behalf, except this, that not one of them

was

was composed with any thoughts of being printed; they have been haftily written, and carry the marks of it along with them. This may be no recommendation ;-I mean it, however, as fuch: for as the fermons turn chiefly upon philantropy, 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 subjects, muft not look for many new thoughts,一 'tis well if he has new language : in three or four passages, where

he has neither the one nor the

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other, I have quoted the author
I made free with. There are
fome other passages, where I fuf-
pect I may have taken the fame
liberty;---but 'tis only fufpicion,
for I do not remember it is so,
otherwise I should have restored
them to their proper owners; fo
that I put it in here more as a ge-
neral saving, than from a confci-
ousness of having much to an-
fwer for upon that score. In this,
however, and every thing else
which I offer or shall offer to the
world, I rest, with a heart much
at ease, 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 I.

Enquiry after Happiness.

SERMON II.

The House of Feasting and the House of
Mourning, described.

SERMON III.

Philantropy recommended.

SERMON IV,
Self-knowledge.

SERMON V.

The Case of Elijah, and the Widow of Zare-
phath, confidered. A Charity Sermon.

SERMON VI.

Pharisee and Publican in the Temple.

SERMON VII.

Vindication of Human Nature.

SERMON VIII.

Time and Chance.

A 4

SERMON

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