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E. a. Harkes

6-12-40

8v,

PREFACE.

THE Sermon which gave rise to the publication of these having been offered to the world as a Sermon of Yorick's, I hope the most serious reader will find nothing to offend him, in my continuing the volumes under the same title: lest it should be other. wife, I have added a second title-page with the real name of the Author the first will serve the bookseller's purpose, as Yorick's name is possibly of the two the more known; and the second will ease the minds of those who see a jest, and the danger which lurks under it, where no jest was meant.

I suppose it is needless to inform the Public, that the reason of printing these Sermons arises altogether from the favourable reception which the Sermon given as a sample of them in TRISTRAM SHANDY met with from the world. That Sermon was printed by itself some years ago, but could find neither purchasers nor readers; so that I apprehended little hazard from a promise I made upon its republication, "That if the Sermon was liked, these should be al"fo at the world's service; which, to be as good as my word, they here are; and I pray to God, they Vol. V.

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may do it the service I wish. I have little to say in their behalf, except this, that not one of them was composed with any thoughts of being printed; they have been hastily written, and carry the marks of it along with them. This may be no recommendation; I mean it however as fuch: for as the Sermons turn chiefly upon Philanthropy, and those kindred virtues to it, upon which hang all the law and the prophets, I trust they will be no less felt, or worse received, for the evidence they bear, of proceeding more from the heart than the head. I have nothing to add, but that the reader, upon old and beaten subjects, must not look for many new thoughts 'tis well if he has new language : in three or four passages where he has neither the one nor the other, I have quoted the author I made free with. There are some other passages, where I suspect I may have taken the same liberty: but 'tis only fufpicion, for I do not remember it is so, otherwise 1 should have restored them to their proper owners; so that I put it here more as a general saying, than from a confciousness of having much to answer for upon that score. In this, however, and every thing else which I offer, or shall offer to the world, I rest, with a heart much at ease, upon the protection of the humane and candid, from whom I have received many favours, for which I beg leave to return them thanks

thanks.

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