A Collection on Sermons ...

these three propofitions in his notes on the Marrow, and more largely in that excellent work of his juft now published, entitled, A View of the Covenant of Works from the facred Records. It is a pity that this book was not published along with his View of the Covenant of Grace, as they are both on the Tame plan, they mutually illustrate each other, and the latter is a continuation of the former. Its emerging now out of its long obfcurity, may be confidered as a great mercy to the generation, and a seasonable and valuable acquifition to the cause of Chriftianity. It may be very fafely faid, that these two books are by far the most elaborate, judicious, and evangelical treatises on these subjects that have hitherto appeared in the Chriftian church. So that, in refpect of them and his other excellent writings, we may fay of our author, as did the late Mr Ralph Erskine,

His golden pen to future times will bear
His fame, till in the clouds his Lord appear.

Since the time of pafling the above-mentioned acts, fo injurious to fome precious gospel-truths, a flood of Pelagian, Arminian, Socinian, and Arian errors has overfpread the land, and errors everfive of the fundamental doctrines of Christianity, are publicly taught from fome pulpits, nay published to the world, without check or control. And if the foundations be destroyed, what shall the righteous do?

Our author has spoke pretty fully of the abounding fin and impiety of the age; which, alas, has fearfully increased since his time, particularly horrid and profane swearing, perjury, fornication, adultery, robbery, and murder; so that because of these things the land mourneth. And if we add thereto our fashionable and polite diversions, such as theatrical entertainments, balls, &c. together with contempt of the gofpel, profanation of the Lord's day, luxury, pride, corruption, and abuse of mercies, which the Lord has visibly punished, for several years past, by unfavourable seasons and dearth of the neceffaries of life,

we may lay our account with some heavy judgements being inflicted upon us.

There are fome particulars mentioned by our author as grounds of the Lord's controverfsy with the land, which fome of our modern clergy will not be disposed to view in the same light. But the friends of truth will furely think, that the opinion of the GREAT MR BOSTON is more to be regarded than that of moral haranguers, or the whole tribe of our hiftorian, philofophical, poetical, and tragedian divines, who feem to be far from relishing the pure truths of the gospel, and doctrines of the reformation.

The following fermons may therefore be confidered as the teftimony of a faithful minister, who has - long ago entered into his Master's joy, against the overspreading errors, wickedness, and abominations of the day, and as pointing out the duty of faints and finners in fuch perilous times.

As one or two of the fermons are but short, some may be apt to think that they are not fo full as they were delivered. It appears that Mr Boston was not a verbose, but concise preacher; and his intimate friends and contemporaries affert, that he generally wrote his fermons as full as he delivered them.

It shall only be further added, that if the author's excellent book, just published, entitled, A View of the Covenant of Works from the facred Records, shall meet with due encouragement, as the importance and utility of the subject give ground to think it will, the prefacer is authorised to say, that the Rev. Mr Boston, the author's grandfon, who is poffefsed of all his manufcripts, will be induced to publish some other excellent treatises and fermons of our author, which are very elaborate and exact, on fubjects of the laft importance to the fouls of men. And it is hoped, that his great work on the Shorter Catechifm, which is now tranfcribing for the press, will meet with ample encouragement, especially as his former works have met with a kind reception, and had a rapid fale.

Edinburgh, April 28. 1772.

LING bookfellers, and J. REID and J. GRAY printers, Edinburgh; by J. BRYCE printer and bookfeller, Glasgow, price 2 s. fewed, and 2 s. 6 d. bound,

A VIEW of the COVENANT of WORKS from the SACRED RECORDS.

Wherein the parties in that covenant, the reality of it, its parts conditionary, premissory, and minatory, our father Adam's breaking of it, the imputation of that breach to his posterity, and the state of man under that broken covenant, and under the curse thereof, are diftinctly confidered.

To which are annexed, by way of supplement,

Several fermons on the method of recovery from the ruins of the fall by Jesus Chrift, and the difference between the covenant of works and the covenant of grace.

By the late Reverend and Learned MRTHOMAS BOSTON, Minifter of the Gospel at Ettrick,

Author of the Fourfold State, A View of the
Covenant of Grace, σε.

NEVER BEFORE PRINTED.

Commissions from booksellers in town or in the coun try, for copies of the above book in quires, may be addressed to J. REID Printer, Bailie Fyfe's close, Edinburgh, who gives them out on account of the Editor, the Rev. Mr Michael Boston minifter at Falkirk, the author's grandson.

Page

I. The duty of redeeming the time in evil days,

illustrated and enforced.

EPHESIANS v. 16.

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

II. Passing under the rod, a means of a people's

being brought into the bond of the covenant.

EZEKIEL XX. 37.

And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I

will bring you into the bond of the covenant.

III. An untoward generation characterized, with

the means to be saved from it.