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REV. J. W. CUNNINGHAM, A, M,

VICAR OF HARROW;

DOMESTIC CHAPLAIN TO THE RIGHT HON. LORD NORTHWICK; AND
LATE FELLOW OF ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE,

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PREFACE

TO THE FIRST EDITION.

In the preface to a former volume of Sermons, the author ventured to intimate an intention of preparing before long a second volume for the press. That intention he has been permitted, through the kindness of Divine Providence, to fulfil; and he accordingly now presents to the public a somewhat larger number than before of those plain and unpretending Discourses, which have been delivered in the parish where he has the happiness to reside.-In a criticism on his former volume, for which, on the whole, he has great reason to be grateful, a wish is expressed that the author would endeavour to produce a volume of a somewhat more elaborate nature. But, even if he could presume to consider himself as capable of satisfying the wishes of those who think more profoundly than the mass of society, he should exceedingly hesitate as to the lawfulness, especially in this species of composition, of

labouring to gratify the few at the expense of the many. Those sermons are evidently the best which approach the most closely to the scriptural model; and it may be confidently affirmed, that the New Testament is the simplest of all books, and the Saviour of the world the plainest of all teachers. The author has, in this view of the subject, mainly to regret his own too frequent deviations from that simplicity, the adherence to which is of such primary importance.

It is impossible that this new volume should be offered to the public, without an expression of thankfulness for the forbearance and kindness with which the former has been received; and without offering up an earnest entreaty for His blessing upon the work whose power is chiefly manifested in showing mercy, and in giving to the labours of his servants an efficacy, in the instruction and consolation of his church, to which they have not in themselves the smallest preten

sion..

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