ciple, which it is the main object of the Lectures to illustrate. In the second place. He acknowledges that his original intention certainly was, to have published the entire series of Discourses on the whole chapter, as he conceived it would form but a moderate-sized volume; finding, however, such expectation a mistake, he preferred the present course of presenting them with only a part of it, and that for two reasons,-one, that this is sufficient to answer all the ends contemplated by the publication; and the other, that, however he may regret the omission of certain characters which some had wished to be introduced, he should have felt it wrong to carry the work to an expensive extent. Lastly. He has to notice, that, instead of prefixing an inscription or dedication to the volume, he has prefixed, what he thought would be as acceptable and more useful, the concluding Discourse on the whole Epistle, and which is given nearly verbatim as it was written and delivered. May the wishes and prayers expressed in it be accomplished!

To the general reader, I think it may be allowable to offer one or two considerations, that may possibly mitigate the severity of criticism. Let it be remembered then, that this volume consists of popular discourses,- that is, discourses expressly and designedly constructed with a view to awaken the attention, rouse the faculties, and inform the understanding of a mixed or popular assembly. They were written with this view, and they were read in consistency with it. Now, this should be borne in mind. Composition is very different according as we write for the ear or for the eye; according as we establish and illustrate a principle in a piece intended for private perusal, or as we attempt the same thing in an address to a general auditory, enforcing it upon their feelings for practical purposes. The following Discourses are of this order. They were written to be heard-heard under the usual circumstances, that is, without the possibility of any part being re-read which was felt not to be sufficiently intelligible, and by persons the most of whom,

like the most of all similar assemblies, were, of course, unaccustomed to severe intellectual exercises: Therefore, a single thought is often largely expanded and variously expressed, that, as it were, it might rest for a time upon the mind of the audience, and be fully apprehended before succeeded by another. To sustain attention, the argument is declamatory; to make excitement beneficial, the declamation is argumentative. Illustrations and phrases are at times employed, that would be in bad taste in a set disquisition, but which, in a popular address, may be used not only with effect but propriety. The only exception to these remarks, and that, perhaps, but partial, is the first Discourse, which, not being committed to paper till after it was delivered, partakes

more of the character of a written than a spoken composition.

Unquestionably, coincidences will be observed between parts of these Discourses and those of others on similar topics; how far one may be owing to the other it is impossible to say; sometimes we

are at a loss to determine whether a particular passage is the offspring of invention or of memory, and lately, I observed two or three striking similarities of expression and argument between this volume and one published since it has been in the press. I think it right, however, to say, that there is one place, and the only one of which I am conscious, in which the mode of illustration and remark were intentionally adopted from another writer. I refer to the tenth Sermon. I remember quite despairing of being able to describe the last trial of Abraham, when, happening accidentally to see Fuller on Genesis, I thought his observations so appropriate, that I founded nearly the whole of the Discourse upon them. This coincidence, then, is not accidental. How far it may extend I have not the means of judging, nor have I been anxious to inquire. Such knowledge could have been of no use. It might have shown me, indeed, the precise extent of my obligations, but it would not have conferred ability to cancel them.

These few observations are respectfully submitted to the general reader, who, of course, will think of the lecturer not as a friend, but as an author: as such, he trusts it cannot be wrong to state the principles upon which what he has written should be judged. After all, however, the great point is, to seek practical benefit from the perusal of the volume. Reader, I know some, who derived sensible advantage from the exposition presented thee; my sincere wish is, that, by the blessing of the Holy Spirit, thou mayest derive even more than they.

T. B.

TRINITY SQUARE, NEWINGTON,
May 1, 1830.

ERRATUM.

Page 142, line 1, for excuses read excesses.