PREFACE.
TI

HE following Discourses are sent into the

world, to obviate the manifold misconceptions and misrepresentations which the author of them has lain under. As they contain all the grand points of christianity, and are a faithful epitome of all the author's preaching, they will best serve to declare what those doctrines are, which, as a minister of the gospel, he has thought it his duty to inculcate. Being thankful that he was educated in the communion of the church of England, he is much more so, that in the same he hath been called to the honour of ministering, in holy things. Her only authentic standard of doctrine, exhibited in her articles and homilies, which he was required solemnly to subscribe, he professes himselj to be conscientiously, attached to, from a real persuasion that they contain the solid truths of God's woril

. How carefully he hath followed that form of sound words, a comparison of the ensuing discourses with those articles and homilies will best determine.

As by the Royal declaration prefixed to the articles he is forbidden, so he presuines not to take them in any sense but that which a literal and grammatical construction of them. imports ; and he knows no authority by which any minister of the church of England can indulge himself in a greater latitude of interpretation.

As the author cannot but regard subscriptions as bringing the soul under the deepest obligations to sincerity before the great Searcher of hearts, who requireth truth in the inward parts, he cannot think of those who in any degree allow themselves to trifle or prevaricate iherewith, but.