PREFACE.

THIS little volume is published confessedly as an experiment, to ascertain whether the writer, who, by weakness of health, is rendered incapable of exercising himself in his proper vocation, can ever, in a inore humble mode, make himself, in the least degree, useful to his fellow creatures.

The Sermons are miscellaneous; several have been preached in different places, to suit the convenience of different friends. To such as have any thing

peculiar connected with them, a note of

place is prefixed.

The writer is apprehensive there will be found in these pages, much that is defective in arrangement, perhaps, though not to his knowledge, erroneous in fact; but he by no means wishes to deprecate criticism, he rather, should any condescend to honour him with their notice, invites it in its utmost severity; and he does this, because he thinks he understands the value of public censure—that it is for the moment painful, but of excellent service afterwards.

CONTENTS.

SERMON I.

ON BAPTISM.

1 Peter iii. 21.

The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ

Page 1

SERMON II.

Preached at Banham, Norfolk.

ADDRESSED TO YOUTH.

Eccles. xi. 9.

Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment 19

SERMON III.

Preached at Broadstairs, Thanet.

ON PUBLIC DEVOTION.

St. Matt. xxi. 13.

It is written, My house shall be called the house of

prayer; but ye

have made it a den of thieves 30

SERMON IV.

ON THE SABBATH.

St. Luke xiv. 1.

And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him

41

SERMON V.

ON THE DUTIES OF MASTERS TO SERVANTS.

Colossians iv. 1.

Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master

in heaven

55

SERMON VI.

ON THE FEAST OF PENTECOST.

Acts ii. 1.

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place

76

SERMON VII.

LOVE OF GOD AND OF OUR NEIGHBOUR.

St. Matt. xxii. 34.

But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together

93

SERMON VIII.

ON RAISING THE WIDOW'S SON.

St. Luke vii. 12.

Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city,

behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a