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THE

CHRISTIAN'S SKETCH BOOK;

IN THREE PARTS.

Entered at Stationers' Hall.

THE

CHRISTIAN'S SKETCH BOOK;

IN THREE PARTS.

WITH

AN APPENDIX,

Containing Brief Outlines of Sermons,

ON IMPORTANT SUBJECTS,

PRINCIPALLY SELECTED FROM

THE DISCOURSES OF MODERN EVANGELICAL AUTHORS.

BY J. BURNS.

SECOND EDITION.

"I have gathered a nosegay of flowers, and there is nothing of my
own but the string that ties them."-MONTAIGNE.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR,

PUBLISHED BY SIMPKIN AND MARSHALL, STATIONERS' COURT;
SOLD BY RESTELL, CHARLOTTE STREET, BLACKFRIAR'S
ROAD; HIGHAM, CHISWELL STREET; AND J. STEPHENS,
16, CITY ROAD.

1829.
45

HOTHE

LONDON:

PRINTED BY JOSEPH BRADFORD,

30, PITFIELD STREET, OLD STREET ROAD.

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PREFACE.

THE CHRISTLAN'S SKETCH BOOK is compiled with a view to accommodate those who have not leisure to read, or inclination to purchase, more voluminous works. The necessity of an epitome of the Christian religion at a small price, drawn from the writings of men of superior intellect, has long been felt, and acknowledged, and it is hoped that the present volume will, in a good degree, supply this deficiency.

It may be asked with some propriety-Are we not already amply furnished with such selections? In reply, it may be ohserved-Some of these are so large, that the excellencies of each author occupy a separate volume, consequently, as many volumes are necessary, as the number of the authors from whom they are selected. It is true there are works of considerable merit, which contain extracts from various publications in the same volume; but it may be objected to most, or all of them, that the pieces are thrown together without any regard to theological method : or, they contain so much of sectarian assumption, that their perusal is limited to a small portion of professing Christians.

In forming the CHRISTIAN'S SKETCH BOOK, first, consider-. able attention has been paid to the quality of the matter; secondly, the articles are arranged as they generally stand in systems of Theology; and thirdly, those peculiar tenets which are deemed by the most intelligent Christians as non-essentials, are omitted.

With respect to the division of the work into three Parts : the Editor has attempted in Part I, to give a summary view of the most important principles of Divine revelation. In Part II, to introduce vital religion in its practical influence, as exhibited in the lives and dying hours of some of its greatest ornaments. In Part III, to offer religious entertainment to the lovers of the poetic muse, whilst the anecdotes, maxims, &c., are more particularly intended to give the juvenile mind a predilection for virtue and true religion.

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