The New Week's Preparation; Part the Se- The Two Parts may be had bound together. The Author to the Reader. REASONS for publishing this BOOK. THO' I may poffibly incur the difpleasure of those whofe fecular views may be fruftrated or disappointed by the publication of this NEW Week's Preparation; yet I have the confolation of being fully affured, that this prefent undertaking will want no apology to those who have religion truely at heart. Nor am I under any apprehenfion of being condemned for adding one more to the the number of devotional books, already extant upon the fubject of the holy facrament of the Lord's Supper; because the tempers and talents of men are fo different, that what does not affect one may poffibly touch another. I am also perfuaded that the prefent Proprietors of KEBLE's Old Week's Preparation, cannot defire the continuance of a book which has already been found fo injurious to christianity; for it abounds with rapturous and wanton expreffions, and warmth of conftitution, not reason, much less religion, has the chief and fovereign influence. Undoubtedly writers of this caft, have fhamefully fuffered the fofter Paffions to mix too strongly with their Zeal for religion t. A 2 By The following is the APOLOGY of no less an Author than Dr. Ifaac Watts himself: "Let it be observed, that it was much the Fashion, even among fome Di"vines of Eminence in former Years, to exprefs, the Fervors of devout Love "to our Saviour in the Style of the Song of Solomon: And I must confefs, that "feveral of my Compofures in Verfe, written in younger Life, were led by "thofe Examples unwarily into this Track. But, if I may be permitted to "fpeak the Senfe of maturer Age, I can hardly think this the happiest Lan61 guage in which Chriftians should difcover their warm Sentiments of Re"ligion, fince the clearer and more fpiritual Revelations of the New Tefta"ment." To this Apology we may add, that in thefe our Meditations and Prayers are no vifionary Senes of wild Extravagance; no Affectations of that Style, which fpreads a glaring Confufion over the Understanding. Here are none of thofe incomprehenfible Phrafes which may amufe the Ear with founding Vanity, and hold Reafon in fovereign Contempt. In fhort, here no fecret Pantings after a mortal Love, in the Language of Devotion and Pie Published by Authority. To all devout Chriftians. BE pleased to observe, that this New Week's Preparation is (by affignment from the executors of E. Wicksteed) printed for W. BENT, at the King's Arms, in Paternofter Row, London: alfo that there are two editions of this little Manual; one on common paper with a letter-prefs frontispiece and titlepage, the other on fine paper with a copper-plate frontispiece and titlepage: and likewife, that every genuine copy, of both editions, has the fignature of the above proprietor. 1800. W Bent Sold alfo by G. G. and J. Robinson, W. J. and J. Richardfon, F. and C. Rivington, J. Scatcherd, H. D. Symonds, C. Law, Longman and Rees, J. Wallis, and T. Hurst. D Printed by M. Brown, St. John's-fquare, Clerkenwell. BOOL LIBR |