The importance of the subjects the author has attempted to illustrate, he trusts will be admitted by all who honour these pages with their perusal. Respecting the mode in which they are treated, he has only to remark, that he has designedly preserved, throughout, the form of address adopted in the pulpit. For several reasons, which may be sufficiently obvious, this appeared to him decidedly preferable. Perhaps he has reason to regret, that he has not always succeeded in transferring to written composition those appeals of the oral ministry in which its usefulness so eminently consists.
The appearance of this volume is, from unavoidable causes, considerably later than was originally intended. The author has taken advantage of the delay, to introduce the Sermon on National Judgments, delivered since his return to accustomed duties, at an important period in public affairs. It is divested of some allusions which imparted local and temporary interest, but the circulation of it, under existing circumstances, may not be wholly without advantage.-As to the entire work, the author ventures to hope that it will be judged in Christian candour:-especially, he fervently prays that there may rest upon it the abundant benediction of God.
YORK, SEPTEMBER 13, 1830.