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I have no other wi/h than* αληθεύειν εν αγάπη to speak the truth, as far as I can difcover it, without giving or taking offence, but preferving good-humour and good-will, and fill remembering the fallibility of man.

* Ephef. iv. 15.

то THE

RIGHT HONOURABLE

LORD EARDLEY.

MY LORD,

THE

HE fervility of Dedications has too often degraded the dignity of Literature. The tribute of grofs flattery has not only difgraced Writers and offended Patrons, but depreciated valuable Works, and diminished their effects on the reader.

you

If I were mean enough to offer adulation, your Lordship would defpife it: I should defpife myself. I dedi

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cate these Sermons to you, for two reafons, neither of them adulatory : the first is, that I may publicly express the sense I retain of the great civilities which you have fhewn me, and the attention you have paid to the place of your education, over which I now prefide: the fecond, a defire to point out to my readers, a brilliant example of one of the first Christian virtues, BENEFICENCE. In imitation of the great author of our religion, you, my LORD, GO ABOUT DOING GOOD. God has given you a heart, large and liberal as your fortunes. It may truly be faid of your Lordship, that:

Dii tibi divitias dederunt artemque fruendi..

HOR.

But I refrain. I know you delight to do good IN SECRET. I will not give you pain, by publicly expatiating on

your

1

DEDICATION.

your bounty.

V

Heaven will record it. The world knows it; for it is fo frequent and fo profuse, that your endeavours to conceal it cannot be fuccefsful.

Give me leave, my Lord, to express a wish, that you may long enjoy, for the fake of others as well as for your own, the bleffings which Providence has bestowed upon you.

I am, with unfeigned respect,

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то тнЕ

FIRST EDITION.

IT

T was not my intention, in the following pages, to engage in theological controverly; but I am fenfible, that it will appear from them, that I am a believer in the doctrine of the Trinity. This belief will expofe me to the attacks of those who condemn, without juftice or mercy, whatever militates against the Unitarian opinions. I therefore folicit the general reader's candour against the Unitarian's severity'; and hope he will allow me to retain the opinions in which I have been educated, and in which I am confirmed by choice, without loading me with the imputation of infincerity, irrational religion, or want of liberality.

If I err in this point, I err with very wife and good men, and my error is injurious to

no man.

I cenfure none who fincerely differ from me, actuated by the unprejudiced dictates of

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