The defects of preachers reproved in a sermon preached at Northampton, May 19th. 1723

THE Conduct of Divine Providence in bringing to pass the Publication of the following Sermon, was thus; One that heard it Preached, asked the Reverend Author for a Copy, who expressed his willingness to grant it. He that heard it Preached was soon after in the Company of several Ministers & Deacons, unto whom upon Representation made of said Sermon, and proposal for a Collection for the Printing of it, It was complied with; whereupon Address was made to the Worthy Author for a Copy and obtained it of him. The Lord in mercy Reward the Author according to his pains & good will for Public Good thereby; & the Persons at whose expense the Impression was made, having expended of their Substance in so good §4a way of leading men to the honour of God. The known Eminence of the Author and the Reading the Ensuing Sermon will Commend it to you. The Singularity of it is that it brings Error under view, that you may be alarumed & shun it, & Truth that you may Embrace it and keep it. It aims at the Advancing Good Preaching, which being done it tends to advance Good Hearing, which being advanced, Hearers do advance unto, & in Faith & Piety. The Scope is Sublime, the Matter is Pertinent: Preachers are Directed as to the matter manner and End of Preaching, & Hearers are Directed to try the matter of Preaching and to Determine what is Sound. It leads to the preparing of Preachers and Hearers to rejoice together in the Day of Accounts ⟨p. ii⟩Another Remark that I will make to you of the Ensuing Discourse, is, that it Imitates the Method that CHRIST our great Shepherd took for the Reforming the Seven Churches of Asia, which was that John should write to the Angels or Pastors of the Churches, That they might first see their own Defaults & be awakened to amend themselves, and thereupon be prepared & animated to Reprove, to Reform their People. Ministers being Orthodox and Fervent in Preaching, Prudent in their Conduct, & Exemplary in their Conversation, are Excellent Blessings to a Place. Have you plenty of Good Preaching? You are highly favoured of God, you have the means of making the best Gains; Bless GOD for it, and Esteem your Preacher highly in Love for his Works sake, If you are under Dull Preaching, take heed of a froward Mouth and wrangling Carriage. Consider your Preacher is such as God's Providence hath carved to you;

THE Conduct of Divine Providence in bringing to pass the Publication of the following Sermon, was thus; One that heard it Preach'd, asked the Reverend Author for a Copy, who expressed his willingness to grant it. He that heard it Preached was soon after in the Company of several Ministers & Deacons, unto whom upon Representation made of said Sermon, and proposal for a Collection for the Printing of it, It was complyed with; whereupon Address was made to the Worthy Author for a Copy and obtained it of him. The Lord in mercy Reward the Author according to his pains & good will for Publick Good thereby; & the Persons at whose expence the Impression was made, having expended of their Substance in so good