One Hundred and Ninety Sermons on Psalm 119

I have admired, and must recommend to the observation of the Reader, the fruitfulness of the Authors holy invention, accompanied with solid judgment; in that whereas the coincidence of the matter in this Psalm might have superseded his labours in very many Verses, yet without force or offering violence to the Sacred Text, he has either from the connection of one Verse with its predecessor, or the harmony between the parts of the same Verse, found out new matter to entertain his own meditation, and his Readers expectation; nor do I observe more than twelve Verses in this large Psalm wholly omitted, if at least they may be said to be omitted, whose subject matter is elsewhere copiously handled.

I have admired, and must recommend to the observation of the Reader, the fruitfulness of the Authors holy invention, accompanied with solid judgment; in that whereas the coincidence of the matter in this Psalm might have superseded his labours in very many Verses, yet without force or offering violence to the Sacred Text, he has either from the connexion of one Verse with its predecessor, or the harmony between the parts of the same Verse, found out new matter to entertain his own meditation, and his Readers expectation; nor do I observe more than twelve Verses in this large Psalm wholly omitted, if at least they may be said to be omitted, whose subject matter is elsewhere copiously handled.

Had the Reverend Author designed these Papers for public view, he could not have flattered himself in a cavilling age, that he should escape the severe lashes of envy and malice, (those fiends that haunt all things and persons excellent) he must have expected a snarl from the Wolf's black mouth, or a kick from the dull Ass's hoof; yet on his behalf I demand this justice, that he be not condemned for the Printers crimes: Their Venial Errors will receive a pardon of course from the Ingenuous Reader; and for their mortal transgressions, whereof they are sometimes guilty, either clouding, altering, or perverting the scope of the Author, enjoin them (Gentle Reader!) a moderate penance, and then receive them to full absolution, who have voluntarily offered themselves to confession.

Had the Reverend Author design'd these Papers for publick view, he could not have flattered himself in a cavilling age, that he should escape the severe lashes of envy and malice, (those fiends that haunt all things and persons excellent) he must have expected a snarle from the Wolf's black mouth, or a kick from the dull Asse's hoof; yet on his behalf I demand this justice, that he be not condemn'd for the Printers crimes: Their Venial Errors will receive a pardon of course from the Ingenuous Reader; and for their mortal transgressions, whereof they are sometimes guilty, either clouding, altering, or perverting the scope of the Author, enjoin them (Gentle Reader!) a moderate penance, and then receive them to full absolution, who have voluntarily offered themselves to confession.