PREFACE. THE publishers of these Sermons feel much confidence in offering them to the Christian community. Of the author they have no other knowledge, than is given on the title page, excepting, that it appears from the preface to the London edition, that the Sermons were preached at the king's Weigh-house, to the people under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Reynolds. We e are not surprised, that the author was solicited to furnish a copy for the press. Though not distinguished for those flashes of imagination and explosions of feeling, which dazzle and astonish, they will be found to be replete with views and illustrations, both striking and felicitous. The portraiture, which is given of the character of those, who are true followers of Christ, and of those who merely wear the livery of discipleship, is drawn with a masterly hand. His delineation of the feelings and motives of "mere professors," and of true Christians, furnishes satisfactory evidence, that he well understood the workings of the human heart, before and after it has experienced the renewing operations of the Holy Spirit. From these remarks it would naturally be inferred, that these Sermons on the parable of the ten virgins, are practical. This characteristic is visible on every page. It is a prominent excellence. No professor of religion can rise from the perusal of these Sermons, without feeling, that instruction and encouragement, caution and warning, have been applied to his daily conduct, and have also been carried into the most secret places, into the very sanctuary of his bosom. |