ADVERTISEMENT. THE late excellent Mr. Lavington frequently transcribed his Sermons, and other public Addresses, at the request of his constant or occasional Hearers; and from these, which in a course of years filled several volumes, the following Discourses have been chiefly selected. But as many of them are already in the possession of some of the subscribers in manuscript, others also have been copied from his short-hand notes, which are distinguished by an asterisk (*) in the Table of Contents. The Admissions were Addresses, which were delivered to those who had been lately received as Members of the Church. Ona day preceding the Celebration of the Lord's Supper, standing up in the midst of the congregation, they were solemnly and affectionately addressed by their minister on the privileges and duties of their Christian profession. The Meditations were Sacramental Dis-' courses. A greater freedom of address will be found in several of them, than appears in the Sermons. But it is presumed, that the unc tion of these Discourses will make them particularly interesting to pious readers in general. Two only of these are entitled Sacramental, as exclusively appropriate to the Ordinance of the Lord's Supper. The rest, with the exception of a few Sentences, which are distinguished by brackets [], may be read on any occasion, in public or private. Such marks of distinction have been more rarely used in the Sermons. But the reader will find but little difficulty in omitting those parts which relate to local or temporary circumstances: instances of which occur in the beginning and conclusion of the thirteenth, and in the introductions of the fourteenth, fifteenth, and some other sermons. Several of these Discourses, when they were preached, were eminently useful. Many Christians, it is believed, will recollect with delight, the advantage and comfort which they former afforded; and the Editor has a sufficient reason for thinking, that some will read them with a superior pleasure, as having been instrumental of first leading them to a serious attention to religion. This gives him great encouragement to hope, that, being published, they will be made, by the blessing of God, extensively useful. SERMON S. SERMON I. ON DEDICATION TO GOD. II COR. viii. 5. But first gave their own selves to the Lord. RELIGION, serious, vital, practical religion, is the great end of our being. I say vital, practical religion, to distinguish it from that form of godliness, that superficial, showy, shadowy profession which some weakly mistake, and others wickedly substitute, for this important concern. There are some, strange that it should be so! there are many, who, because they put on airs of seriousness at particular times, and say, with much self-approbation," God, I thank thee, I am not as other men are," vainly think that they are religious; and are as easy and confident as if they were really children of God, and heirs of the kingdom of heaven. But is this religion? Alas! no more than a picture is a man. Where is thy humiliation before God, on account of the depravity of thy heart, and the sins of thy life? Where are thy tears of repentance, or thy earnest desires of salvation? Where is |