may do it the fervice I wish. I have little to say in their behalf, except this, that not one of them was compofed with any thoughts of being printed ;they have been haftily written, and carry the marks of it along with them.This may be no recommendation ;I mean it however as fuch for as the Sermons turn chiefly upon Philanthropy, and those kindred virtues to it, upon which hang all the law and the prophets, I trust they will be no less felt, or worse received, for the evidence they bear, of proceeding more from the heart than the head. I have nothing to add, but that the reader, upon old and beaten fubjects, muft not look for many new. thoughts'tis well if he has new language: in three or four paffages where he has neither the one nor the other, I have quoted the author I. made free with. There are some other paffages, where I suspect I may have taken the fame liberty-but 'tis only fufpicion, for I do not remember it is fo, otherwise 1 should have restored them to their proper owners; fo that I put it here more as a general faying, than from a consciousness of having much to answer for upon that score. In this, however, and every thing elfe which I offer, or fhall offer to the world, I rest, with a heart much at eafe, upon the protection of the humane and candid, from whom I have received many favours, for which I beg leave to return them thanks thanks. CONTENTS. SERMON I. p. 3. PSALM iv. 6. There be many that say, Who will show us any good?—Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. SERMON II. p. 15. The House of Feafting and the House of Mourning defcribed.* ECCLESIASTES VII. 2, 3. It is better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of. feafting. SERMON III. p. 26. LUKE X 36, 37. Which now of these three thinkeft thou, was neighbour unto him that fell amongst the thieves?—And he said, He that fhowed mercy on him. Then said Jefus unto him—— likewife. SERMON IV. p. 39. 2 SAMUEL XII. 7. If part. -Go, and do thou And Nathan faid unto David, Thou art the man. THE WORKS OF LAURENCE STERNE, COMPLETE IN EIGHT VOLUMES. CONTAINING 1. THE LIFE AND OPINIONS OF III. SERMONS.-IV. LETTERS. FOR GRAY, MAVER, & CO. BOOKSELLERS, GLASGOW. |