A 2 Treatifes we have on the fame Subject, and confequently the very little Need there is to add to their Number, I would very gladly have been excufed from proceeding farther. But the Bookfeller (perhaps encourag'd by the Hope of fome Gain, from the favourable Account given Abroad of the French Edition †) not thinking my Reafon for defifting sufficient, I refolved not only to fulfil my Promife in ging him a Translation; but (in order to improve the Work as much as I could) I again examined the Authors from whom the Effay was, in a good Meafure, originally com pofed, adding what new Obfervations have fince occurred to me in my Reading. It has been my Endeavour to make the Difcourfe as plain and practical as poffibly could, that it might be fitted for the life of the moft Unlearned. And there- . fore I have thrown into Notes what appeared to me of a more abftrufe and fpeculative Kind, which may be either passed over by those who have not any Relish for them, or confulted by those who have. But let me add, that thefe Notes are by no Means written for profeffed Scholars, but are chiefly intended for fuch inquifitive + Bibliothèque raijonnée des Savárs de l'Europe, Tom. XXXV, p. 210. Perfons, ル Perfons, who having but little Leifure, would yet be glad to fee, at one View, an Explication of many Points relating to the Subject in Hand, or reducible thereto, which otherwife must have coft them much Trouble and Time to collect. And I hope the candid Reader will. make all reasonable Allowances for Stile, and other Defects, in favour of one who. bas not bad the Benefit of an University Education, and whofe Profeffion has no Connection with Learning in General, or the Study of Divinity in particular. This Book will, however, appear much lefs faulty than otherwise it would, thro the Favour of thofe very worthy Friends, who were fo kind to overlook and correct the Sheets as they paffed thro' the Prefs. To one of them efpecially I owe feveral material Additions in the Devotional Part, which greatly add to the Ufefulness of the Performance: I beg they will hereby accept of my heartieft Thanks, and I pray God to reward them for this and their other inceffant Labours of Love! May the Almighty, who has enabled me to bring this Book to a Conclufion, crown thefe my poor and weak Endeavours with bis Benediction!If by them the Reader finds himself more refolved against Sin, more inflamed with Gratitude towards bis God and Saviour, and more confirmed in Love towards all Mankind:----If by them be can be prevailed upon to embrace with more Eagerness, and Joy, and true Devotion, all Opportunities which the gracious Providence of God offers him to prefent bimfelf at the holy Table; I fball think myself more than repaid for all my Trouble: "Ifball then have fully attained my End. 1 THE (ix) CHAP. II. Of our Obligation to frequent the Lord's CHAP. III. Of the proper Difpofitions for receiving CHAP. IV. Of the Advantages of a worthy Recep- The Contents of the Prayers, Sc.- NOLLECT from the Communion Office P. 3 -A penitent Confeffion of Sins, with an humble Supli- ΙΣ A Prayer for God's Acceptance of our prefent Service, to be ufed, if Time permits, just before approaching A Meditation on the Prophetick Office of our Lord on our Saviour's Prieftly Office A Prayer after we are returned home, which may be ufed immediately after, or any Time of the Day ERRAT A. Page 17, line 24, for feasonable read reasonable; p. 18, l. CHAP. |