These Sermons were preached by the Reverend Author of them a little while before his Entrance into •••st. I cannot learn that the oc•••ions of them were extraordinary, ⟨image 3⟩or that he had any design in them beyond that which accompanied the ordinary course of his Ministry; much less a purpose to publish them, a• conceiving them either more useful, or more needful, or more laboured than the rest of his constant and frequent Exercises in the same kind. Neither did he leave any such Copy of them as might be helpful towards such an end. But they were taken from his mouth by the diligence of a Dexterous Hand, who at first designed nothing bu• his own use and edification by them; until observing how soon after th• preaching of them, God was please• to call him off from his Painful Labour in his Vineyard, and so t• cut short all expectations of farther administrations of Truth and Grace by the Trust and Dispensation committed unto him; he resolved t• make them public, for the good an• benefits of others. And as herein ⟨image 3⟩he followed his own Inclination and Judgement; So if any thing be found in these Discourses as to Phrase of Speech, or manner of Expression, not answering that Accuracy, which this Author was known to have used in all his Writings published by himself; he alone must bear the blame of it, from them who think such defects blame worthy. These things I could not but acquaint the Reader withal, that he may look for no more in these Sermons, but what he might have found in the Constant Ministry of the Reverend Author. But yet I must say, upon their perusal, that take them under the Circumstances mentioned, they give no ill or disadvantageous Account of the Ordinary Labours and Endeavours of this Eminent Minister of the Gospel. Thus did Mr. Caryl use to preach, sometimes twice, sometimes thrice in the Week, always showing himself a ⟨image 4⟩Workman that needed not to be ashamed. And if I mistake not, whoever shall consider these Sermons with Sobriety, Candour and Judgement, as part of his Constant Labours, will readily acknowledge, what rich and excellent Talents he was entrusted with, and how the great Reputation which his Ministry had for so many years in the Church of God, was no way undeserved. For my Accession to this Work in a Prefatory Discourse, it arose merely from the importunity of the Publisher and Bookseller, as they both well know, and will acknowledge;
THese Sermons were preached by the Reverend Author of them a little while before his Entrance into •••st. I cannot learn that the oc•••ions of them were extraordinary, ⟨image 3⟩or that he had any design in them beyond that which accompanied the ordinary course of his Ministry; much less a purpose to publish them, a• conceiving them either more useful, or more needful, or more laboured than the rest of his constant and frequent Exercises in the same kind. Neither did he leave any such Copy of them as might be helpful towards such an end. But they were taken from his mouth by the diligence of a Dexterous Hand, who at first designed nothing bu• his own use and edification by them; untill observing how soon after th• preaching of them, God was please• to call him off from his Painfu• Labour in his Vineyard, and so t• cut short all expectations of farthe• administrations of Truth and Grace by the Trust and Dispensation committed unto him; he resolved t• make them publick, for the good an• benefits of others. And as herei• ⟨image 3⟩he followed his own Inclination and Judgement; So if any thing be found in these Discourses as to Phrase of Speech, or manner of Expression, not answering that Accuracy, which this Author was known to have used in all his Writings published by himself; he alone must bear the blame of it, from them who think such defects blame worthy. These things I could not but acquaint the Reader withal, that he may look for no more in these Sermons, but what he might have found in the Constant Ministry of the Reverend Author. But yet I must say, upon their perusal, that take them under the Circumstances mentioned, they give no ill or disadvantageous Account of the Ordinary Labours and Endeavours of this Eminent Minister of the Gospel. Thus did Mr. Caryl use to preach, sometimes twice, sometimes thrice in the Week, alwayes shewing himself a ⟨image 4⟩Workman that needed not to be ashamed. And if I mistake not, whoever shall consider these Sermons with Sobriety, Candour and Judgement, as part of his Constant Labours, will readily acknowledge, what rich and excellent Talents he was entrusted with, and how the great Reputation which his Ministry had for so many years in the Church of God, was no way undeserved. For my Accession to this Work in a Prefatory Discourse, it arose meerly from the importunity of the Publisher and Bookseller, as they both well know, and will acknowledge;
