I have no other wifh than* αληθέυειν εν αγάπη

1

to speak the truth, as far as I can difcover it, without giving or taking offence, but preferving good-humour and good-will, and fill remembering the fallibility of man.

Ephef. iv. 15.

то THE

RIGHT HONOURABLE

LORD EARDLEY.

MY LORD,

THE HE fervility of Dedications has too often degraded the dignity of Literature. The tribute of gross flattery has not only difgraced Writers and offended Patrons, but depreciated valuable Works, and diminished their effects on the reader.

If I were mean enough to offer you adulation, your Lordship would defpife it: I fhould defpife myself. I dediA 2

cate

cate these Sermons to you, for two
reasons, neither of them adulatory
the first is, that I may publicly express
the sense I retain of the great civilities
which you have fhewn me, and the
attention you have paid to the place
of your education, over which I now
prefide: the fecond, a defire to point
out to my readers, a brilliant example
of one of the firft Chriftian virtues,
BENEFICENCE. In imitation of the
great author of our religion, you, my
LORD, GO. ABOUT DOING GOOD. God
has given you a heart, large and liberal
as your
fortunes. It may truly be faid
of your Lordship, that.

Dii tibi divitias dederunt artemque fruendi..

HOR.

But I refrain. I know you delight to do good IN SECRET. I will not give you pain, by publicly expatiating on

your

your bounty.

Heaven will record

it. The world knows it; for it is

fo frequent and fo profuse, that your endeavours to conceal it cannot be fuccefsful.

Give me leave, my Lord, to express a wish, that you may long enjoy, for the fake of others as well as for your own, the bleffings which Providence has bestowed upon you.

I am, with unfeigned respect,

MY LORD,

Your LORDSHIP'S

Tunbridge, Dec. 21, 1792.

Moft obedient, and

faithful Servant,

V. KNOX.

ADVERTISEMENT

то

THE

FIRST EDITION.

IT was not my intention, in the following pages, to engage in theological controverly; but I am fenfible, that it will appear from them, that I am a believer in the doctrine of the Trinity. This belief will expofe me to the attacks of those who condemn, without juftice or mercy, whatever militates against the Unitarian opinions. I therefore folicit the general reader's candour against the Unitarian's feverity'; and hope he will allow me to retain the opinions in which I have been educated, and in which I am confirmed by choice, without loading me with the imputation of infincerity, irrational religion, or want of liberality.

If I err in this point, I err with very wife and good men, and my error is injurious to

no man.

I cenfure none who fincerely differ from me, actuated by the unprejudiced dictates of