PREFACE. THE present volume of Sermons is not published with any special intent of benefiting the family of the author in a pecuniary point of view; such a step is rendered unnecessary by the late tribute of gratitude and respect offered by the Christian public, to the labours and memory of the venerable Commentator on the Bible, and divided amongst those of his descendants who stood most in need of the kind aid thus liberally and spontaneously afforded. At the same time, whatever profit may accrue by the sale of this volume will, of course, be devoted to the service of the widow and family of the Author. The chief object in presenting the work to the public, is to place an useful book in the hands of those to whom it may be acceptable, and especially to furnish the congregations of its lamented author, with a memorial of his faithful and affectionate addresses to them. The Editor had a very large number of sermons to choose from; so many indeed, as almost to bewilder him; and now that the selection is printed, he has some fears that a better might have been made;—a feeling, however, which would not perhaps have been avoided under any circumstances. He will only add, that he has taken much pains in discharging the trust committed to him; and he hopes that, under the Divine blessing, the volume will prove of great benefit to many persons. One or two of the sermons have especial reference to the duties and responsibility of the pastoral office; these have been inserted, because discourses upon such important points, rarely find admission into modern collections of Sermons, while at the same time, they are peculiarly interesting to Clergymen from the circumstance of their so seldom having the opportunity of hearing such subjects discussed; a disadvantage which ought perhaps more frequently to be taken into consideration, and, as far as possible, remedied. It is right to mention, that Mr. Scott very seldom wrote out at length the application of his discourses, so that many comprised in this volume will appear somewhat incomplete; the Editor choosing rather to allow an abrupt termination in some instances, than to add any thing where it could, with propriety, be avoided. CONTENTS. I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. |