DEDICATION'. To the Church of Christ assembling in Berry-street, London. Dear Christian Friends, belóved.in our Lord, HAVING dedicated. to .yon my first volume of sermons, printed twenty- sixyears ago, I'thought it proper toaddress this toyou, being thelast I amever -like to publish,- that I might testify to the world the continuance my sin- cere áffedtion for you ;. and signify to you my ardent desire to do váliat I can, in my present weak state of health, to promote the welfare of your souls. - The " Essay on the Powers and Contests of Flesh and Spirit," which is added at the endof these discourses, has been written many years ago; and 1hope it.maybe made useful, through theblessingof God, todead pri- vate christiansto .forma right judgment in many things relating to their spi- ritúal concerns. As I trust all these papers contain the truths of God, which I havé thus Tecommended to you, so I am persúaded you will find them exactly conform- able to the New Testament, in all your reviews and studies of that blessed book. 'It is there my hopes et eternal life are fixed ; and in this hope, I trustall of you will be found walking stedfastly,inthe samefaith, by the same rule, till you are at length made happy partakers of the same salvation. The great harmony which has subsisted betwixt me and my dear and worthy brother and colleague, the Rev. Mr. Samuel Price, for more than forty-three years, without an interruption, has been very comfortable to us, and a considerable blessing to you. May the Spirit of God render his con- tinued labours amongst you, in the gospel, very serviceable, for your further establishment and growth in gran". With this design, I commit these dis- courses to the providence of Christ, and commit himand you 'also into Iìia hands, to whom I doubt not, youhave 'often surrendered yourselves. And let me intreat .you, as a church of Christ, not onlyto stiffer, but to regard the word of exhortation, which, as your aged pastor, whose voice you may probably hear no mère, I would now in a solemnmanner leave w.it'h you, viz. Continue to be of one mind, live in peace, be careful to practise all the duties of holiness and righteousness, keep close to God by bumble fervent prayer and dependence, seek his face, for direction, and a blessing in ell your affairs. To the God of almighty power, and infinite wisdom and grace, I com- mend you, who is able to build you up, and give you aninheritance among them that are sanctified. Finally, my beloved friends, farewell. Maythe. loveof God, the grace of our LordJesus Christ, and the communion of theholy Spirit, beever with you. Astro. I am, with much respect, under very declining circumstances of life; Your affectionatefriend, and faithful servant in the gospel, ISAAC WATTS. Stoke-Newington, Jan. 13, 1746-7. j
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