DISCOURSES Ο Ν Several SUBJECTS; WITH FOUR SERMONS ΟΝ ΤΗΕ Imitation of Christ. By the Most Reverend Father in GOD, 1 Never before Printed, and now Publish'd With a PREFACE, giving an Account of the VOL. V. LONDON: Printed for W. PARKER, at the King's Head in THE PUBLISHER TO THE READ E R. T HE firft Volume of Archbishop Sharp's Sermons was published by himself, being a Collection of fuch as be had printed upon feveral Occafions before the Year 1698. The Second Volume was published by his Bookfeller after his Death, and takes in the Remainder of his Sermons, which were printed in his Life-time, A 2 and 111 and his Two Discourses upon Confcience, which were formerly publish'd without a Name, and make Part of the Collection of London Cases. And these two Volumes contain all that he himself bad fuffered at any time to go abroad into the World. But bis Executors were a little more liberal of his Productions; and in 1716. they added to the Collections made by himself, and then by his Bookfeller, as above-mentioned, two Volumes more, confifting of Sermons never before printed. But this Step nevertheless was taken by them with due Caution, and after Advice had with Some Judicious Prelates, who had read them after they were tranfcribed, and confirmed the Refolution of making them publick. And now, after feveral Years elapfed, two Volumes more have pass'd the Prefs, being the last Addition that will be made to the Collection of his Works, fave a Small Referve of Difcourfes in the Popish Controversy, which may poffibly, fome time or other, be published with other of his Papers relating to that Controversy, and penn'd likewife in thofe Times. The first and principal Defign of tranfcribing thefe, which are now printed, from the Original ManuScripts in Short-band, (for all his Sermons were wrote in Characters) was to preferve and refcue them from the Danger they were in of being irretrievably loft by being buried in the Cypher, if not extracted thence, and brought to light by one who was perfectly well acquainted with the Characters be used, and with his peculiar manner of expreffing and compounding them. The Transcript was begun fome Tears fince, and proceeded very leifurely, and with feveral Interruptions, under the uncertain View whether it should ever be made publick or A 3 .no, |