A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SOUL: A COURSE OF LENT LECTURES. BY JOHN HAMBLETON, M. A., Of St. Edmund Hall, Oxford, MINISTER OF THE CHAPEL OF EASE, ISLINGTON. Sixth Edition. LONDON: J. H. JACKSON, ISLINGTON GREEN; SEELEY, BURNSIDE, AND SEELEY, FLEET STREET; HATCHARD AND SON, PICCADILLY. MDCCCXLIII. PREFACE. THESE Sermons formed, as the title-page states, a Course of Lent Lectures, and were consequently restricted as to number. After preaching them, the author had laid them by, with no intention of sending them to the press. In consequence, however, of urgent applications from those, for whose motives he entertains a sincere respect, he has been induced to reconsider the series, in order to discover why his friends solicited their publication. He could honestly say much, respecting his own sense of the deficiencies of the work, both as to its plan and execution. He could also say something, which might plead in extenuation of its failings. But now that he has consented to send it forth, such language might savour of feigned humility. If, then, this little book, such as it is, be only found to accord with the spirit of the Gospel of Christ, and to have been written with a single eye to his glory; may He but deign to honour it with his approving smile, and make it the instrument of encouraging or converting but one soul; and the author is more than content, he is truly thankful. There is, however, one form in which the author did desire that these and all his sermons might reappear, in a clear type, easy to be "known and read of all men;" namely, in the Christian lives and tempers of all to whom he ministers. He therefore entreats his readers to join him in the prayer, that he and they may increasingly become the living "epistles of Christ, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God." 1 2 Cor. iii. 3. ISLINGTON, September 5, 1833. |