ther, fhall have its reward; how abundantly shall this charity be recompenfed, which ferves all these purposes at once; which brings maintenance to the poor, inftruction to the ignorant, and opens to the miferable a way to happiness; which provides for the order of civil government, and the peace of Chrift's church on earth; referring all to the glory and honour of him, who is Lord of the world which now is, and of that which is to come? Give therefore according as God has bleffed you: here are many who ask your help; the poor, your country, the church of Chrift, which intreats for these her helplefs children and one there is who looks on, and will not forget the love you fhew to the meaneft of his members for his fake, Jefus Chrift, our Lord: to whom, with the Father and the Holy Ghoft, be af cribed all honour and glory, henceforth, and for evermore. Amen. THESE Sermons, preached on important occafions, were separately published by their excellent author, the late Bishop of London, DR. THOMAS SHERLOCK. The judicious reader will discover in them the fame energy of fentiment and purity of diction, the fame pious intention to promote virtue and true religion, the fame pathetic and convincing addrefs to the heart, which fo eminently distinguish the rest of this Prelate's Difcourses. DR. SHERLOCK no fooner appeared in the great world, than he gave evident proofs of the extent of his learning and the superiority of his genius. It has been matter of doubt with fome good judges of style, whether the first of these Sermons, which he preached above seventy years fince, when a young man, has been excelled, either in language or matter, by any that he delivered from the pulpit afterwards. There is not, perhaps, a more difficult task, than the doing juftice to a great and exalted character. We fhall not, therefore, prefume to draw a portrait of BISHOP SHERLOCK; but will just observe, that his views, both in civil and religious matters, were always large and comprehenfive, not confined to the narrow fyftems of particular parties, nor subjected to the fluctuating principles of powerful and interested men: that he was a moft ftrenuous and able defender of the great truths of our holy religion that he made it his constant practice to inculcate the christian and focial virtues; to enforce a due and ready fubmiffion. to the laws; to infpire prince and people with a fenfe of their respective duties, and to discountenance all temporary changes and hafty innovations in Church and State. The re-publication of these Difcourfes has |