SERMONS VIII. IX. : The Neceffity of Christian Practice in order upon Chriftian Practice. P. 139. 156. SER- self to your Lordship, and humbly defiring your Acceptancee of the following Difcourses; as a true, tho a fmall Token of that great Esteem and Affection I ought always to bear you. Your Lordship's Kindness to me upon your first Knowledge of me, the frequent signal Repetitions ofit presently after, and the continuance of it hitherto, have for ever endear'd year Lordship to me, and shall never be forgotten by me. At the same Time, I cannot but look upon, and value this Leave, to mention your Lordship's Favours as a great Enhancement of them all. And should I enlarge upon your Lordship's hearty Love for your Country, your Zeal for the Protestant Interest, your Affection for the glorious Defender of it, and his Royal Progeny, together with the rest of those Accomplishments which attend, illustrate, and adorn every Relation of Life you sustain, 'twould be no more than what is justly due to your Lordship. But fince Those who best deserve Praise, are least desirous of it, and most apt to be disgusted with it, therefore for fear of offending where I am particularly ambitious of pleasing, I must deny my self the Satisfaction of taking any farther Notice, DEDICATION. Notice, in this Place, of those amiable Virtues and Qualities, which gain your Lordship a great Esteem and Respect among all good Men in general, as well as more especially oblige me to be with all suitable Deference and Gratitude, THE PREFACE. Mr Intention here is not to apologize for publishing the following Pages, (which I think needless) but to bespeak of the Reader, a calm and impartial Perufal of 'em. When a Man bas deliver'd any thing to the Public (after all he can fay for himSelf) be must expect to meet with different Opinions concerning it : And as he ought not to be elated upon the Approbation of the Candid, so he would not be a little blame-worthy to be dejected at the unkind Reflections of the Censorious. 'Twould be to little Purpose to urge any thing in Behalf of the following Difcourses, if they should not be allowed a calm and impartial Perufal: This if they |