length: and as this is of the last confequence to all, fo it must be the complacence of thofe that have it at heart. If thou art convinced and awakened, and brought to a concern about falvation, if brought to the Jaylor's cafe, thou wilt welcome the help here offered, and readily attend to the anfier of the apoftle to his question: for, what can be more proper and pertinent to the cafe of fuch, than the true way to efcape the mifery of a natural state, and attain the felicity of a gracious one? Thefe, as they will not fpare, fo they will not repent the pains of reading thefe fheets. Such as are by grace engaged to believe in the Lord Jefus Chrift, and are a people faved of the Lord, will have it at heart, what to do for God: they will fet themselves in the strength of grace, to all the duties of religion, whereby God may be glorified, and their faith justified, and their begun falvation promoted: all which good defigns are anfwered in the third part of the book. And this gives an account of perfonal religion, of the fervice of God, how we must enter into it, and perfevere in it; and what more ufeful piece of knowlege is there, than how we may do fervice to, and keep up our communion with God? Here our first tranfactions and after-walk are pointedly and pioufy directed. Here alfo, family religion is opened in its parts, the foundations of it fixed, and the practice of it inforced with forcible arguments, and fuitable directions for people's walking in their houfe, and the proper duties of the feveral relatives in a family; which, if duly objerved, would turn houses into churches and this is very neceffury at this time, when when family-devotion is declining, and like to wear out. A public religion comes alfo under confideration in this part, or a public fpirit; whence the thing is · recommended, and yet cautioned with great wif dom and judgment, to prevent people's going out of their own fphere, and beyond their line. The order, fubordination, and mutual dependencies and relations of perfonal, domeftic, and public religion, are nicely stated, and judiciously discovered, and proper caveats entered against beginning at the wrong end, as feldom miffing to end either in apoftacy or divifion, which cannot but be very ufeful in the present juncture, when divifions fo much abound, and dividing inclinations are fo much aloft. In a word, there is no part of the book but what is of high importance and great usefulness, which, joined with the established character and reputation of the author, intitles it to a kind reception, and due perufal. As thefe were the main prompters of the publishing of the book, fo they may be reckoned fufficient arguments for a careful reading and improvement of it, now when published. It comes out with very little alteration, even as to words, as they stand in the manufcript, partly, because it did not much need it, and partly, out of veneration for the author, whofe pulpit-fkill and ftile was fo generally acceptable; yet it is not finishing Stroke from his own hand, for the prefs, it have appeared more beautiful; but even under this want, it will be found that neither method nor ftile is difagrecable, though popular, and just as prepared and delivered to his people. to be fuppofed, but if it had received ai There There has been a motion for printing fame few of the author's facrament fermons, which are excellent both for matter and compofure; but this being fo long a finishing, has kept them hitherto back; and it is like they may now wait a while, till it appear what entertainment and encouragement thefe meet with *. May all that have encouraged the design of publishing the book, meet with the double reward of edification to their own fouls, and feeing it do much good to others! we live in a time when all helps and advantages need to be improved, for awakening fecure finners, and to bring them under foul-uptaking enquiries about falvation, and stirring up Chriftians to the universal practice of piety and godlinefs. And as the book has a plain tendency to thefe ends, go on to read it, and digeft and apply it, begging that God may effectually blefs and profper it to thefe good ends for which it is defigned. * Thefe Sermons were publifhed a confiderable time ago, and were fo acceptable to the public, that they are now all fold off; and it is not doubted but another impreffion will be foon demanded. A LIS O F T SUBSCRIBERS Names. G A. EORGE ALSTON, of Muirburn Alexander Aullan, in Richarton parish John Andrew, miller in Fail John Arneel, portioner in Blackburn John Aitken, merchant in Carstairs, 6 copies James Ayton, in Galfton John Anderfon, coal hewer in Kilbarchan William Adam, farmer in Ayr James Aird, weaver in Sorn, 12 copies Robert Adam, weaver there David Aird, in Heateth, Sorn parish Mary Adam there John Allan, wig-maker in Beith Thomas Affleck, in Douglas William Anderfon, in Lithaw, Muirkirk John Adam, mafon in Machlan Thomas Allan, fhoemaker in Colmonel parish B. The lady Jean Boyd, of Preston Thomas Blair, in Stair-mill John Bell, Smith in Corfphern David Bowman, fhoemaker in Kilmarnock William Burn, in Clochern, Kilbride William Barr, in Watfton, Stonehouse John Brounlie, in Strathavan John Brodfoot, in Whitehaugh James Blair, tailor in Symington, 24 copies Nicolas Brockie, at Barnwel Marion Brown there Robert Barrie, dyer in Sanquhar Peter Broun, miner there James Broun, portioner of Clarkland Robert Bunten, in Muirhouse David Broun, fmith in Clayflap John Brockie, fchooimafter at Cragie David Borland, in Manken Alexander Bynenten, in Carmichael James |