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MADELEY:

PRINTED AND SOLD BY J. EDMUNDS:
ALSO BY WILSON, SPENCE AND MAWMAN, YORK;
M. SWINNEY, BIRMINGHAM; AND T. LONG

MAN, PATERNOSTER-ROW, LONDON

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nefs of the character, (which could fcarcely have been legible to the Author in his latter years) I judge them to have been the first essay of a genius afterwards fo much admired. The Fragments, of which some appear as the thoughts of the day, others as notes of fermons, bear date the first few years of his ministry.

If, therefore, any part of this volume, however excellent, be deemed inferior to the more mature -productions of the fame admirable pen, it is hoped that candour will have at leaft as inuch weight as criticifin.

The Reader is farther requested, to remember that the pious Author wrote only for himself and his friends; that thefe fheets want his perfecting hand; and that the Editor thought himself entitled to take no liberties.

It is not expected that Mr. Fletcher's reputation as a writer will receive new luftre from the fe Posthumous Pieces: But, if the many friends, who revere his memory, find edification and delight in perufing his apoftolick letters; if any, whofe oppofition of fentiment would not allow them to converfe with him as a polemick divine, fhall now receive him to their breafts, as a Chriftian brother; if any, who have not reaped the rich harvest of his former writings, are benefited by the gleanings of the field; and if the world in general is made better acquainted with the virtues of this excellent man: all the ends proposed by their publication will be obtained, and the Editor will think himmelf juftified in giving them to the prefs.

That the benediction of the Almighty may attend these laft labours of his Servant, that the

Reader

Reader may imbibe the fpirit of the Author, and that myself and all my Fellow-labourers in the gofpel, may emulate his faith and work in the Lord, is the earnest defire of

THE EDITOR.

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