From a Codicil to the last Will and Testament of

The REV. WILLIAM PALEY, DD,

LATE RECTOR OF BISHOPWEARMOUTH, IN THE COUNTY AND DIOCESE OF DURHAM,

"IF

r

Who died May 25, 1805,

F my life had been continued it was my intention to print at Sunderland a Col"lection of Sermons-five hundred copies to

be distributed gratis in the parish- -to "deliver them to MR, STEPHENSON, to print "and distribute one copy in a family-first "to those who frequent Church, then to far"mers' families in the country, then to such poorer families, as have a person who can read or are likely to read them.I would "not have the said Sermons printed for "sale."

TO

THE HONOURABLE AND RIGHT REVEREND

SHUTE BARRINGTON, LLD,

LORD BISHOP OF DURHAM.

MY LORD,

THE celebrated author of this

posthumous volume has limited, by will, the press to five hundred copies, and confined the distribution of them to the Parish of Bishopwearmouth. All within the circuit of distribution will justly appreciate the bequest, and receive it, as a most expressive mark of their late Pastor's solicitude for their conduct and their happiness: all without will hear with regret, that the publication is restricted, since they cannot participate in its benefits. I do not apprehend, however, that I shall impro

perly

perly exceed the prescribed limit, or go against the intention of the Testator, if I do not scrupulously adhere to the strict letter of his instructions, but step out of the parish, and present the first copy to your Lordship; nay, if I may be allowed to act, on this occasion, in conformity to those sentiments of respect and gratitude to your Lordship, which the ' deceased invariably expressed, I am warranted in gratifying, by so doing, my own inclina

tion.

Before I commenced my office of printing and distributing, it could not but occur to me, as manifestly proper, to dedicate the volume to your Lordship. For to whom ean the work be so well inscribed, as to the Patron, who, without restriction to place or number, with a liberality and munificence becoming a christian Prelate, reaches out protection

tection and encouragement to every art, every discovery, every plan, every production of the human mind, which tends to ameliorate the condition, and advance the happiness of man; as every production undoubtedly does, which defends or explains moral or religious truths, which disseminates the principles, inculcates the duties, or diffuses the spirit and influence of Christianity?

To be useful in our generation, to be serviceable to our fellow-creatures by a proper application of the faculties and means with which we are intrusted, is one object and purpose of life. The disposition to direct to this end the opportunities, flowing

from

your elevated station, no man possesses in a greater degree than your Lordship. In offering this tribute, I do not fear the impu

tation of degrading servility, or the charge

of.