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TO ROBERT BRANSBY COOPER, Esq.

My dear Sir,

From the mutual regard and respect which long subsisted between yourself and my dearest Father, I feel persuaded you will not be unwilling to usher into the world a work of his, written (without the remotest view to literary fame,) in the sincere spirit of a Christian Pastor, zealous for the comfort and edification of his flock. Under this conviction, therefore, I have the greatest satisfaction in dedicating to you the following pages, as a slight testimony of that grateful regard with which I must always remain,

My dear S

Your deeply obliget and affectionate,

Littledean Parsonage,

December 15, 1835.

MARIA S. BAYLIS

PREFACE.

The motives which led to the following Publication have been already explained. Having been originally suggested by an old and intimate friend of the author, who, from the most benevolent principle, took upon him the office of Editor, it was expected that he would introduce it with such preliminary observations as he might think proper. But just as the last few sheets were printing off, he was summoned to follow his departed friend; and consequently, the parties most interested in the publication were compelled to look out for similar assistance in another quarter. The task has eventually devolved upon one, who, being very superficially acquainted with the work, (long as he had known

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and respected the character of the author,) feels but indifferently qualified for the office assigned to him, which he would gladly have seen in other hands. But as little more seems to be necessary than to state what the readers may expect in the volume now presented to them, he trusts that they will be satisfied with his doing this as plainly and briefly as possible.

The late Mr BAYLIS was for more than forty

years the active and conscientious minister of a large parish in GLOUCESTER, where he was required to preach twice every Sunday. It was no easy matter to provide a supply for such numerous demands; and when moreover it is considered how large a proportion of his time during the week was devoted to zealous exertions for the spiritual welfare of his flock, it would be unreasonable to expect that all, or even the greater part of the discourses of a clergyman so situated, should be exclusively original compositions. How far all the sermons contained in this volume have a claim to originality, the writer of these paragraphs is by no means prepared to say. But, be this as it may, if the doctrine be sound, and the language perspicuous, the reader may

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