Volume 1

The Preaching of the Word by the chosen servants of the living God, is the ordained means for the gathering in of the elect. It is not the Word read, so much as that which is heard, which has the promise attached to it; hence the importance of a devout attendance on the ministry of the Gospel. Nevertheless, without doubt, the Holy Ghost who has helped us in the delivery of these Sermons, will also afford his divine assistance now that we send them forth in this volume.

Little can be said in praise of these Sermons, and nothing can be said against them more bitter than has been already spoken. Happily the author has heard abuse exhaust itself; he has seen its vocabulary used up, and its utmost venom entirely spent; and yet, the printed discourses have for that very reason found a readier sale, and more have been led to peruse them with deep attention.

One thing alone places this book above contempt — and that accomplishes the deed so triumphantly, that the preacher defies the opinion of man — it is the fact, that to his certain knowledge, there is scarce a Sermon here which has not been stamped by the hand of the Almighty, by the conversion of a soul. Some single Sermons here brought into the society of their brethren, have been, under God, the means of the salvation of not less than twenty souls; at least, that number have come under the preacher's notice from one Sermon only; and doubtless more shall be discovered at the last day.