PREFACE. THE substance of the following Discourses was delivered by the Author to the affectionate people of his charge, in a series of Lord's Day morning Lectures. They have since been carefully revised, and are now submitted, with much diffidence, to the eye of the public. When it is recollected that there are already many printed Sermons on the several petitions contained in our Lord's most beautiful and comprehensive Prayer, it may be thought at least superfluous, if not presumptuous, to add to their number. It is It is pro bable, however, that the publications alluded to have never been perused by some into whose hands this volume may fall; and it is hoped, that even they who have read and admired them, may profit by a repetition of the caution, not to suffer fami liarity with the words of devotion to produce indifference to its spirit. : The Author's more intimate friends may, perhaps, receive this labour of his pen with kind partiality, and with more approbation than it deserves : slighter acquaintances may be led by curiosity to examine its pretensions and others unknown to the writer may be attracted by the mere love of novelty to inspect a recent publication. Reader, to whichever class you belong, your candour is solicited; and in return, a fervent supplication is offered, that He who can employ the feeblest instruments for the noblest purposes will render these pages conducive to your immortal benefit. If with a sense of obligation which natural aversion could not totally overcome, you have |