ΤΟ THE READER. THE HE Editor of this little volume was a perfon of confiderable literary abilities and judgment: and had he not been taken to his reward early in life, this production proves, that mankind might have been much benefited by his judicious labours. As a COLLECTION it is inferior to none in the kingdom. And as the Compiler was juftly efteemed for his piety and vivacity of fpirit, fo has he made choice of thofe pieces that cannot fail, if duly attended to, to inftil into the mind of the reader the love of virtue and true religion; abstracted from all illiberal ideas and pedantic notions, which are only of man's invention. He was not confined in his fentiments to any particular human fyftem; but the tenor of his conduct, private and public, proved him to be actuated by the beft princples, The love of God," and of all Mankind. From fuch abilities, therefore, it is natural to expect the most agreeable productions; and herein, we hope the judicious reader will not be difappointed. ,, ་ |