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PREFACE.

THE sermon which gave rise to the publication of these, having been offered to the worldas a sermon of Yorick's, Ihope the most serious reader will find nothing to offend him, in my continuing these volumes underthe same title. Lest it should be otherwise, I have added a second title page, with the real name of the author:The first will serve the bookseller's purpose, as Yorick's name is possibly of the two the more known; and the second will ease the minds of those who see a jest, and the danger which lurks under it, where no jest was meant.

I suppose it is needless to inform the public, that the reason for printing these sermons, arises altogether from the favorable reception which the sermon given as a sample of them in TRISTRAM SHANDY met with from the world.-That sermon 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 sermon was liked, these should be also at the world's fervice;" which, to be as good as my word, they are here; and I pray GoD, they may do it the service I wish. I have little to fay in their

behalf, except this, that not one of them was composed 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 such: For, as the sermons turn chiefly upon philanthroру, 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, must not look for many new thoughts-it is well if he has new language: In three or four passages, where he has neither the one nor the other, I have quoted the author I made free with.-There are some other passages, where I suspect I may have taken the same liberty; but it is only suspicion, for I do not remember it is so, otherwise I should have restored them to their proper owners; so that I put it in here, more as a general saying, than from a consciousness of having much toanswer 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 favors, for which I beg leave to return them thanks-thanks.

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