The PREFACE.

The PREFACE.

THE Sermons Emitted herewith, are very mean, plain, ordinary Discourses, like others of the same Author. They that have Sermons Published by me Fifty Years ago, if they compare them with these Composures, will find them to be of the same strain. I must confess that I have from my Youth effected a Plain, Scriptural way of Preaching. So have I lived, and so let me dye.

I have been very much urged, & by many, to Publish a considerable Number of Discourses on those Eight Characters of a blessed Man (commonly called the Beatitudes) in Christs admirable Sermon on the Mount. But I must Pray my Friends not to be troubled at my not complying with their importunity in that matter; Unless some One that has the Pen of a ready Writer shall transcribe Notes taken in short hand (whom I cannot persuade to spend time in so unprofitable an undertaking) I am not able to do it. Forty Years ago, I could ⟨image ?⟩Preach every Week, and a Monthly Lecture, & Print many Sermons, & some other Books which cost me more Reading & hard Study than the Preaching of many Sermons would have done. I cannot do now as once I could. I find a difference between Forty Years of Age and almost Fourscore. I have cause to admire the Mercy of GOD, that at such an Age I am able (by the help of Christ) to attend Public Labours (although' not so frequently as in my Youth) in so large a Congregation as that where the Divine Providence has cast my lot, & carried me through more than six & fifty Years Temptations & Difficulties. I have great reason with thankfulness unto Christ, to acknowledge the continued Love of the Lords People. May I be Serviceable among them whilst in the World, & leave those things with them, which shall be for their Edification, when I shall be gone to that World, where of Later Years I have longed to be.

I have been very much urged, & by many, to Publish a considerable Number of Discourses on those Eight Characters of a blessed Man (commonly called the Beatitudes) in Christs admirable Sermon on the Mount. But I must Pray my Friends not to be troubled at my not complying with their importunity in that matter; Unless some One that has the Pen of a ready Writer shall transcribe Notes taken in short hand (whom I cannot perswade to spend time in so unprofitable an undertaking) I am not able to do it. Forty Years ago, I could