PREFACE. THE Sermons which in this volume are offered with much diffidence to the Public constitute no regular series of Discourses, but are selected out of a large number which have been preached by the Author during a ministry of seven years, in the colonies of Bermuda and Newfoundland. Aware as I am of the difficulty of rendering this species of composition sufficiently interesting to the general reader, a difficulty considerably aggravated by the multiplicity of similar attempts, I can only hope that the circumstance alluded to in my dedication to the venerable Bishop of the Diocese, will be admitted as some apology for giving publicity to a work which I should perhaps otherwise have suppressed. From the first hour of my entrance into the pulpit, the main object of my preaching has been to place the indissoluble connection between piety and morality in the clearest and strongest light; to shew that the latter in a state of separation from the former can be neither permanent nor genuine; and that virtue exanimate of revelation is like a body without a soul, which may be painted indeed with the hues, and sculptured into the lineaments, of life, but is totally destitute of its vivacity and vigour. In my treatment and illustration of this subject, it will be found that I have strictly and loyally adhered to the doctrines of the Church of England, in whose bosom I was born, in whose tenets I was educated, in whose service I was ordained, and in whose communion I shall die. That I have not interpreted her articles in the high Calvinistic sense which some learned and pious members have attributed to them, will be evident to my readers; but in this difference of opinion which will, I fear, at some future day create a more alarming schism in our Church, I have but enlisted myself under the banners of the very large majority of the most enlightened and religious of our Divines. In concurrence with them, my endeavours have been uniformly directed to exhibit Religion in her most amiable and truest aspect, to render piety practical, principle active, and faith productive of those blessed works, which, to the limited perspicacity of mankind, must ever constitute the only evidence of its sincerity. "Quid leges sine moribus vanæ proficiunt?" is a question as applicable to religious as to civil society. Of the composition of these Discourses, I will only say that they have been conceived in a warmth of feeling which I regret has not suggested a more eloquent expression; that many of them were spoken before they were committed to writing, and that if, in the hurry and fervour of delivery, I have usurped the sentiments or expres patronage which your Lordship has, on the purest motives, extended to a Clergyman known to you only through the exercise of his profession; yet, my Lord, I trust it may be considered the humble instrument of expressing to your Lordship the earnestness of my gratitude, and of evincing to the public my sincere desire to merit a promotion which has been so generously and disinterestedly conferred. I have the honour to be, MY LORD, Your Lordship's most respectful and faithful servant, AUBREY G. SPENCER. PREFACE. THE Sermons which in this volume are offered with much diffidence to the Public constitute no regular series of Discourses, but are selected out of a large number which have been preached by the Author during a ministry of seven years, in the colonies of Bermuda and Newfoundland. - Aware as I am of the difficulty of rendering this species of composition sufficiently interesting to the general reader,—a difficulty considerably aggravated by the multiplicity of similar attempts, I can only hope that the circumstance alluded to in my dedication to the venerable Bishop of the Diocese, will be admitted as some apology for giving publicity to a work which I should perhaps otherwise have suppressed. |