Fibrary of 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. 2 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. 2 CONTENTS. Which now of these three thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell amongst the thieves? - And he said, He that showed 2 SAMUEL XII. 7. 1st part. And Nathan faid unto David, Thou art the man. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord which he spake by the Man that is born of a woman, is of few days, and full of trouble: If any man among you feem to be religious, and bridleth not his - tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, that man's religion is vain. And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly re- And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; -what is to be done for thee? -wouldst thou be spoken for to the king, or the captain of 1SAIAH 1. 3. The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib; but Ifrael doth not know, my people doth not confider. |