As I firmly believe, that the following discourses, read with candor and attention, are likely to be productive of much good, I shall here take the liberty of obviating the objections, which may be made to one point of doctrine, which forms a prominent feature in the whole. I allude to the justification of a sinner by the _imputed righteousness_ of Jesus Christ. This doctrine, as it is expressed in one or two passages, might induce a _hasty_ reader to throw aside the book, and condemn it severely as leading to licentiousness. But, I can assure him, that the late Vicar of Saint Alkmond admitted no such consequences; and I only request him to read attentively all the discourses in this volume, and he will be convinced that what has been written upon that subject is neither designed to set aside the necessity of self-examination, nor of personal holiness. As a proof of the former, I beg leave to refer him more particularly to Sermon VI. p. 240; and of the latter, to the whole of Sermon II. upon the dedication of the heart to God; in which, as well as in several others, he will find the most forcible exhortations to maintain purity of heart, and to abound in the practice of every good work; insomuch, that if he should take occasion, from any thing here written, to sin, that grace may abound, let him recollect, that he will meet the Author before the judgment-seat of Christ, where he must render an account for his perversion and want of candor, as well as for all his other crimes.