XVIII. 37. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, THINGS UNSEEN TO BE PREFERRED TO THINGS SEEN. 2 COR. IV. 18. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. THE DIVINE MERCY TO MOURNING PENITENTS. JER. XXXI. 18, 19, 20. I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus, Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and 1 shall be turned; for thou art the Lord my God. Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote up- on my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth. Is Ephraim my dear son ? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earn- estly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for ADVERTISEMENT TO THE FIFTH LONDON EDITION. FEW Sermons, if any in the English language, are better calculated for usefulness, than those of President Davies. A rich vein of evangelic truth, a bold and masterly eloquence, together with the most close and pungent addresses to the heart, characterize these discourses. They have already passed through four large editions, the last of which has been out of print some time; and from the great request for them by ministers and others of various denominations, they had become so scarce and dear, that a copy could not be procured at less than double the price of the present edition. We have no doubt but those who peruse these sermons with the least degree of attention, will see that the following character of the author by Dr. Finley is not exaggerated. "His natural genius was strong and masculine. His understanding was clear; his memory retentive; his invention quick; his imagination lively and florid; his thoughts sublime; and his language elegant, strong and expressive." ADVERTISEMENT TO THE BOSTON EDITION. THE Christian Public is respectfully presented with the Third American Edition of Davies' Sermons. The entire sale of the former editions, and the frequent inquiries for the work, are convincing proofs of its increasing demand; and the publishers with confidence anticipate the patronage of all who are attached to American divines, or are disposed to encourage American publications. President Davies was undoubtedly one of the most pious, orthodox, and affectionate preachers which have ever appeared in our country. Those who know and love the peculiar and discriminating truths of revelation, will perceive sufficient inducements to exert their influence in promoting the circulation of this valuable work. The admirers of President Davies will be gratified with the rich acquisition of nineteen additional Sermons, which were never before published in America, and which breathe the same spirit of vital piety, that characterizes all his other writings. PREFACE. IT is with real pleasure I now send into the world a collection of Sermons, by that eminent and amiable man, and my most esteemed and beloved friend, the Rev. Mr. SAMUEL DAVIES. I hope I may be the honoured instrument of promoting the great interests of vital evangelical godliness, by communicating to the public a number of Discourses, which appear to me admirably calculated to increase the knowledge and power of real religion in the minds and hearts of men. Those who knew and heard Mr. Davies will need no further proof than the perusal of the discourses themselves, that they are the real productions of the author to whom they are ascribed. The sun shews himself to be the sun by the very beams with which he irradiates and enlivens mankind, and is easily distinguished from other luminaries by his surpassing lustre. I have prefixed to these volumes a sermon upon occasion of his death, by that excellent man the Rev. Dr. Samuel Finley, Mr. Davies' successor to the presidency of New Jersey college; the discourse I preached |