Transcribed from the 1813 R. Thomas edition {0} by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org [Picture: Public domain book cover] A Feast for Serpents, BEING THE SUBSTANCE OF A SERMON, Preached at the Obelisk Chapel, On SUNDAY Evening, March 21, 1813, Published by Desire—and addressed to all whom it may concern. * * * * * BY J. CHURCH, Minister of the Gospel. * * * * * SAVIOUR.—_Ye Serpents_, _ye Generation of Vipers_. HOSEA iv, 8.—_They eat up the Sin of my People_, _and they set their heart on their Iniquity_. ISAIAH.—_He feedeth on Ashes_. JEREM.—_Against him that bendeth let the Archer lend his Bow_. * * * * * LONDON: Printed by R. THOMAS, RED LION STREET, Borough. 1813. * * * * * PREFACE. _TO the Church of Jesus Christ_, _who are loved with an everlasting love_, _chosen in Christ before all worlds_—_redeemed by the blood of the Lamb_—_and effectually called out of darkness into marvellous light_; _led by the providence of God to attend the ministry of so unworthy an instrument as myself_, _to whom God has made my labors useful_, _and profitable for reformation_, _conviction_, _conversion_, _building up_, _and spiritual consolation_. _Having been much tried and perplexed by men of corrupt minds_, _who have long endeavoured to prejudice me_, _with a view to separate us one from the other_, _but they have hitherto failed_—_having grace given you to continue with me in my temptations_, _to abide in the furnace of affliction with me_, _and to stand in the evil day_. _The good hand of God_, _restoring a degree of peace to us_, _so that we can pass to our Meeting Place of Worship unmolested_,—_I think it right_, _and that I am in duty bound_ (_though you have not demanded it_) _to make a few general remarks upon the subjects which have agitated the public_, _and not a little distressed your minds_.