Preface to the First Edition.

My absence from the pulpit since the following was preached, has intimated to most persons in Hounslow, that some offence has been created by my sermon.

Upon being told that I held very dangerous opinions, that I had spoken against the Church, and introduced the subject of Elections, so as to produce ill-will rather than love and peace, the professed objects of my sermon,-I felt under an obligation to consider my services in the pulpit in this place at an end; the subordinate situation I stood in rendering it a matter of courtesy, as my character and office of conscience, not to enter it again.

Having no reason to believe (from circumstances which speedily occurred) that these objections, both to my opinions and preaching, had been the hasty decisions of the moment, but rather were so confirmed as to determine my Superior (without any knowledge of my unwillingness to preach again) to take upon himself the duty of the second sermon: I have to request all my late hearers to consider this as the Farewell of one who, though he may have failed to please them, has at least, the testimony of an excusing conscience, that he has endeavoured to make proof of his ministry, and taken heed not to neglect whatever gift was in him. If his profitting appear not to all, he can say that he believes the time WILL come when his words will be more generally felt to have been those of a faithful minister of Christ-not indeed faithful enough, but the words→ which, with the divine blessing, were calculated to keep all who heard them in a proper spirit, in the faith and obedience of the truth-teaching Gospel, in which are involved all the elements of philanthropy, patriotism, and every social good. G. B. HAMILTON.

Hounslow, October 21st, 1837,

Preface to the Second Edition.

The abrupt termination of the author's ministry justified the former publication of this sermon. It has now attracted attention beyond the sphere of his late labours.

In the short space of five days he has been called upon to authorise the issuing another edition. Under these new circumstances, he hopes every error of style will be overlooked-the stone is of more value than the setting. If his opinions are allowed to pass into a more extended circle, without the stigma which has been attached to them at home, he will rejoice in the disapprobation which has drawn him to hold communion with other men, "whose affections are the most faithful,-whose intentions the most pure, towards the Church of England," and who "must of necessity be the most active and zealous labourers for the removal of existing abuses;-the least inclined to foster, by whatever means, defects which are pregnant with destruction"./Raumer's England in 1835-Translated by Sarah Austin, Vol. I. Letter xü.)

Hounslow, Nov. 11th, 1837.