Sermons by the late Rev. Richard de Courcy

Sermons by the late Rev. Richard de Courcy

The following discourses, which were found among the manuscripts of the Author after his decease, will, no doubt, be extremely acceptable to those, who have been accustomed to hear the word of truth from his lips, and who, engaged by his eloquence, and won by his entreaties, have, through the influence of divine grace, which he never failed to inculcate as the source of all holy desires, dedicated themselves to God through Jesus Christ, and become wise unto salvation. As the copies were written delicately fair, and with wonderful accuracy, no pains were requisite to decipher, no labor was wanted to correct them; so that the reader has, in this volume, the genuine works of him, whose name it bears; [ix] and, whatever he may think of p. xthe doctrines which it contains, I am much mistaken, if he will not be struck with admiration at the fertility of imagination, the force of argument, and the uncommon elegance of language, which are herein displayed. But, let him take heed, that his attention be not too much engaged by the gay flowers of oratory; let him compare what he here finds written with the scriptures of truth, and let him not be in haste, either to censure or approve, till a competent share of divine knowledge, and a thorough acquaintance with the work itself, enable him to decide, with some appearance of justice, on its merits. I feel the more inclined to recommend this advice, from the impression, which a cursory view of the following discourses made upon my mind; for, wishing to pay all possible respect to the memory of my deceased friend, no sooner was the idea of a publication suggested, than I volunteered my services to carry it through all its stages, not thinking, at the moment, of any difficulties, which might occur in the accomplishment of the design. Not many hours, I believe, elapsed, before I began to consider, that some degree of responsibility attached to me as an Editor, and that I was bound not to make known to the world any sentiments, of which I did not thoroughly approve; at least, not without offering an antidote for the evil, p. xiwhich they might occasion. Under this persuasion, though extremely reluctant to obtrude myself on the public notice, or to provoke controversy from the Authors admirers, I sat down with the determination not to let a sentence pass unregarded, which I did not conceive to be strictly conformable to the word of God. Accordingly, when I had perused a few discourses I wrote my animadversions freely; but when I had read and considered all with more minute attention, I found that several of my objections were levelled against words and phrases, and that, though I choose to express myself upon some points differently from the Author, we were perfectly agreed in the principal doctrines of the Christian dispensation. This being the case, I have thought it sufficient to refer the reader to his Bible, the standard of truth and orthodoxy; and though, among the variety of opinions which distract the Christian world, he may conceive it to be almost impossible to find the road to glory, yet I will venture to assure him, the word of Christ authorizing me to do so, if his eye be single his whole body shall be full of light; Mat. vi. 22; i.e. he shall be able clearly to discern the way of salvation; for the Sun of Righteousness shall dispel the mists of error, and gradually diffusing his beams over the soul, shall shine more and more, even to the full splendor of the perfect day. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 57397
Author: De Courcy, Richard
Release Date: Jun 25, 2018
Format: eBook
Language: English

Contributors

Editor: Hill, Brian, 1756?-1831