THE PUBLISHER'S PREFACE To the First American Edition. THESE Sermons, preach'd by William Penn renown'd, I long have read, and with delight profound": As there's a time for business to be done, All things a season here below the sun; That those advanc'd to many years, and youth But in extempore eloquence they flow'd. This book will doubtless true acceptance find, To ev'ry person of a pious mind, Who loves religion, in its purest flow, More than a name, or an external show To those who wish, when by true wisdom mov'd, The piety of this great preacher's mind, The language flowing in its purity, All tend to make it, unto those who read, An acquisition very great indeed To those unskill'd in learning nice and fine, PENN, as a christian, was in manners mild, He never stray'd to vanity and pride- When we him as a legislator view, By money, fame, and honour's love beguil'd: When as a Gospel Minister he's view'd, He calls to truth-to no external plan, Nor sect, nor creed that e'er was form'd by man- The reader young, who views the humble life R. W. 1* Taken in short-hand as delivered by them: and now faithfully transcribed and published for the information of those, who, by reason of ignorance, may have received a prejudice against them. BY A LOVER OF THAT PEOPLE. FIRST AMERICAN, New-York: PUBLISHED BY REFINE WEEKES. 1822. |