both in the Old and New Testament, avoiding carefully all peculiarities of human systems, and all unprofitable controversies ; and I have done this in such a way, as to exemplify what ap- peared to me the most simple and edifying mode of stating divine truth. Throughout the whole I have laboured to maintain that spirit of moderation which so eminently distinguishes the Established Church, giving to every revealed truth, as far as I was able, its proper place, and that precise measure of consideration which it seemed to occupy in the Inspired Volume. At the same time, every thing has been brought forward with an especial view to its practical improvement, so as to lead the minds of my Younger Brethren to that which was pre- eminently necessary for them in their public ministrations. This has been my object invari- ably : and in that view I would hope the Discourses here offered to the Public will prove of some little service to the Church of Christ.
To render them the more useful, I have studied conciseness, compressing into every separate Dis- course all that was needful for an elucidation of the subject, and confirming every part of it with
such references to Scripture, as should leave no ; sonable doubt of its accordance with " the mind of the Spirit" of God. In every one of the Dis- courses also I have so clearly marked the method, that the entire scope of the passage may be seen with the glance of an eye ; and the Young Mini- ster may be able to prosecute his work with ease according to his own judgment, making no other use of what is contained within the brackets, than to enlarge or confirm his own views of the subject.
These my best endeavours, such as they are, I lay before your Grace for your approbation, and commend to God for his divine blessing, without which they can be of no avail.
I am, My Lord Archbishop,
Your Grace's most obliged
And devoted Servant, CHARLES SIMEON.
Ki\r;'s College, Cambridge, May 20, 1833.