proper for him to proceed in this defign. He is confident that the execution of his plan would be productive of advantages to different claffes of perfons. As it is intended that the future publications fhall be all of a practical nature, it is hoped that they might be extenfively useful to private Chriftians who read fermons: with a view to their own edification. The diversity of talents which they would here find employed on the most serious and important fubjects, could not fail to give to inftruction all the advantages of novelty and variety. Those who are acquainted with the Clergy of the Church of Scotland, know how often it is the fate of the most pious, learned, and eloquent Preachers, to be placed in obfcure corners of the country, where their merit has no proper opportunities of coming forth to view. Attentive to inftruct their hearers a 4 hearers by difcourfes compofed in fuch a strain as is moft. fuited to their capacities, they have no motive to exert their genius in compofitions which might do honour to themselves, and be of fervice to the public in general; or if any fuch exertions of genius are occafionally made, the expence, and other difcouragements which attend the publication of fingle difcourfes, prevent their ever feeing the light. The continuation of this periodical repository would therefore be of the greatest utility to the Clergy. would bring forth from obfcurity many who are well intitled to public notice and regard; it would widen their sphere of usefulness ; it would ftimulate their ardour to excel; and would enable them to communicate to the world fome of their most finished productions, without expence or trouble, and without the rifk which attends the It publication blication of a fingle fermon, of its paffing foon into oblivion. To Students of Divinity also, and Probationers for the Ministry, this collection would be attended with fingular advantages. It would afford them a variety of the most approved models, for forming and training them to the compofition of Sermons. Accustomed to adhere too closely to fome one model which in the beginning of life they admire, they are frequently in hazard of cramping and confining their genius. The comparison which this collection would enable them to make of different talents, and different kinds of compofition, would ferve to enlarge and refine their tafte. The extenfive benefit, therefore, of fuch a defign will, it is hoped, recommend it to the favour of the public. EDINBURGH, May, 1775. CON The nature and tendency of the Ecclefiaftic Constitution in Scotland. By John Bonar, A. M. Pfal. cxxii. 9. Because of the house of the SERMON II. P. F Times of Public Diftrefs Times of Trial. By George Wifhart, D. D. Daniel, xii. 10. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried: but the wicked fhall do wickedly and none of the wicked fhall understand, but the wife fhall understand, : P. 32 The importance of Religious Knowledge to the happiness of mankind. By Hugh Blair, D. D. Ifaiah, xi. 9. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth fball be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the fea, P. 73 SER The fituation of the world at the time of Chrift's appearance, and its connection with The nature, reasonablenefs, and advantages, of Prayer; with an attempt to answer the SERMON MON VL |