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Southern District of New-York, ss.

BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the thirtieth day of October, in the forty-third year of the Independence of the United States of America, JAMES EASTBURN & Co. of the said District, hath deposited in this Office the title of a Book, the right whereof they claim as Proprietors, in the words and figures following, to wit:

"SERMONS on Practical Subjects. By William Barlass, Minister of the Gospel. "With the Correspondence between the Author and the Rev. John Newton, late "Rector of St. Mary Woolnoth, Lombard-street, London; never before published. "And a Biographical Sketch of the Author prefixed, by Peter Wilson, LL. D. and "Professor of Languages in Columbia College, New-York.

"Dum tacet, hæc loquitur....Martial.

"Be instant in season and out of season....2 Tim. iv. 2.

In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, entitled " an Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books to the Authors and Proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned;" and also to an Act, entitled "an Act supplementary to an Act entitled an Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books to the Authors and Proprietors of such copies, during the time therein mentioned, and extending the benefits thereof to the Arts of designing, engraving, and etching historical and other prints."

JAMES DILL,
Clerk of the Southern District of New-York.
By EDWARD TRENOR, Ass't. Clerk.

ΤΟ

THE CONGREGATION

OF

WHITEHILL

THE

FOLLOWING SERMONS

ARE

RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED

BY DESIRE OF

THE AUTHOR.

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PREFACE.

PROVIDENCE is a great mystery. If the Lord's procedure is dark in this world, we shall know it hereafter. When repeatedly urged by many, whose sincerity cannot be doubted, to publish some sermons on practical subjects, time and inclination were equally against it. Leisure was obtained in an unexpected manner, and brought the inclination along with it. Those who insisted for the publication, pointed out the discourses. It was impossible to publish them all; but their request has been complied with as far as the size of the volume would permit. All things considered, they may appear under some disadvantages; but the Lord's blessing can make them useful. Without this, better sentiment and higher polish than there is the least pretence to in these discourses, would not profit a single soul. When prepared for the pulpit, there was not the most distant intention of publishing them. In copying them for the press, it occurred, that the arrangement, in a few instances, might have been altered to advantage; but on reflection, it was thought proper to publish

them as they were preached. They have undergone little or no variation. Perhaps they may be most useful in the simple style in which they were delivered to a plain people. Plain language is most suiting to the glad tidings of salvation. Should the same thought at any time occur in different sermons, it will be recollected that they were originally prepared at some distance of time; and there may be some coincidence owing to the subjects. On these accounts, an alteration might have been hurtful. They are designed for the good of Zion, and especially of those whose friendship will never be forgotten. Their affection and solicitation have drawn them to the light, and they should ardently pray for the blessing to accompany them. Prefaces often tell many things about the writer and his work. These seldom promote the interest of souls. The sermons will point out an object infinitely more worthy. May the Lord of the harvest bless the reader, the writer, and the work.

Whitehill, August 16, 1797.

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