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PREFACE.

As many persons, and more especially the parishioners and friends of the late Dr. STILLMan, were particularly desirous of possessing his printed sermons, which could not conveniently be obtained, it was concluded, in order to gratify their wishes, to republish them. But the committee of his church, to whom were referred the sermons for inspection, and who are the editors of this work, were of opinion, that as many of them were merely occasional, and of course had now lost something of their interest, it would be more judicious to select some of the most useful from amongst those already published, and to add a few original ones, which he himself had contemplated for publication, but left in an unfinished state, to complete the volume; adding, at the close, a list of those which, though already printed, are not included in this volume.

It was the usual method of Dr. STILLMAN, to write the principal part of his discourses, but in the application to note only the heads. To some of these have been added a few appropriate scriptural and other passages, by the Rev. Dr. BALDWIN, in order to fill up the chasm.

Those persons who have heard the sermons with approbation, will no doubt peruse them with interest, and it is devoutly to be hoped with lasting advantage. To them, in a more especial manner, their pastor, though dead, yet speaketh. He still exhorts them to aspire after perfect holiness; to

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reflect upon neglected opportunities of religious improvement, now forever past; to improve the privileges they at present enjoy; and to continue stedfast in the faith once delivered to the saints.

The character of their Author will be immediately recognized in the following discourses, by all who enjoyed the happiness of sitting under his ministry. To their minds they will so forcibly recall his image, that they can scarcely persuade themselves that he is not still speaking. Animated, however, as is the strain of feeling which runs through them all, they cannot be associated, in the minds of others, with the impressive manner, the persuasive eloquence, and the ardent piety, which greatly increased their value with those who heard and loved the preacher. This consideration, however, it is to be hoped, will not lessen their interest and use with any persons, who are lovers of genuine piety, or disposed to profit by the means it affords. Delicacy forbids the editors to say more. They commit the work to the public, and rest their judgment, where it ought to rest-with them.

Sincerely hoping that it may be the means of strengthening the feeble, of encouraging the timid, of awakening the secure, and of confirming and edifying the saint, they profess themselves the reader's sincere well-wishers, in the fellowship and faith of our common Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

BOSTON,
JAN. 1808.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

OF

THE AUTHOR'S LIFE.

MEMOIRS of persons, who have been eminent for their usefulness, or distinguished for their piety, can scarcely fail to excite an interest. All who feel a solicitude for their own moral improvement, or an ardent desire to see others attain to equal eminence, will commonly find in them some new motives and excitements to animation, in running the race that is set before them.

It is with this ardent wish to stimulate others to strive afer things that are excellent, that the editors of the following Discourses republish, with some additions, what on a former occasion has been laid before the public, respecting the character of their author. To gain celebrity to his memory, is the least object of desire. Whilst living he sought most of all the praise of God; and now that he is dead, the applauses of men, could he be conscious of them, would to him be a matter of the smallest moment, and less than the shadow of a shade.

In the biography however of the author, variety should hardly be expected. The incidents of a pastor's life are commonly few, and the sameness of his duties leads to a sameness of employment. Yet to all to whom it is an agreeable exercise to contemplate goodness of heart with sensations of pleasure, and usefulness of life with emotions of approbation, the perusal may be attended with salutary effects.

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SAMUEL STILLMAN was born in the city of Philadelphia, of parents respectable for their virtues, and of the religious persuasion of Particular Baptists. At the age of eleven years he was removed with them to Charleston, South Carolina, and there received the rudiments of his education, at an academy under a Mr. Rind. His improvements there were such as presaged his future worth; and he gave early indications of a mind seriously impressed with a sense of religious truth. In one of his manuscripts we find some account of very early religious impressions being made upon his mind. These, however, he observes, were generally of short continuance, until more effectually awakened by a sermon delivered by the late excellent Mr. Hart, when, to borrow his own language, he says, "My mind was again solemnly impressed with a sense of my awful condition as a sinner. This conviction grew stronger and stronger. My condition alarmed me. I saw myself without Christ and without hope. I found that I deserved the wrath to come, and that God would be just to send me to hell. I was now frequently on my knees, pleading for mercy. As a beggar I went, having nothing but guilt, and no plea but mercy." How long he continued in this distressed condition is not particularly stated, but it appears from several passages of scripture, he obtained a degree of hope and comfort, though not entirely satisfied. Not long after, he heard Mr. Hart discourse from Matt. i. 21. "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus; for he shall save his people from their sins." From this sermon he received consolation, and adds, "Christ then became precious to me, yea, all in all. Then I could say of wisdom, "Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace." That I still think was the day of my espousal. Glory be to God, for the riches of his grace to me. Why me, Lord? &c." He was soon after baptized, and received into the church under the pastoral care of Mr. Hart.

After finishing his classical education, he spent one year in the study of divinity with that gentleman. Being called by the church, he preached his first sermon on the

17th of Februar, 1755; and

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1759, was ordained in the cry of Chresten.

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evards, hovere, be sente. I Island, a most pleaser surim pose the after be visited the place of hemory, and m ty-third of May, the same year, turned daughter of Evin Morgan, Esq. memar off by whom he afterwards bad fourteen ciret.. took his degree at the very there and remriel his society on James and Bur le na commes

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above eighteen montos vich is afectionate an unt people, before a viclent ace of a pumbLIST SURE plaint, forced his remove to another climine. At accord ingly fixed Linsef with has famly a broemUVL, New Jersey, where he supplied two difference tions for the space of two years. En t

what improved, but by no mean restored, bete mimet L at length to visit New England, hoping to the exercise, together with the change of air, nigir yet further mend his impaired constitution.

On his arrival bere, 1768, at the request of the Second Baptist Church, he removed his family z boston, and after preaching one year as an assistant in the ine Rev. Mr. Bound, accepted an invitation to serie with the Firm Baptist Church, and was installed over it January

By nature he was endowed with a sprightly genius, 2 good capacity, and an uncommor vivacity and quickness of apprehension. His feelings were peculiary strong and Evely, which imparted energy to whatever he is and under the influence and control of religious princi ples, served to increase and diffuse his eminent piety. To this constitutional ardour both of sentiment and action, which led him to enter with his whole soul imo every subject which engaged his attention, he united a remarkable delicacy of feeling and sense of propriety, and such sprightliness arability in conversation, such ease and politeness of manners, and at the same time such a glow of pious zeal and affection, as enabled him to mid

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