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ADVERTISEMENT.

No other country is so rich as England in SACRED LITERATURE. Her greatest Poets and Philosophers have shared with her Divines, in setting forth and establishing the truths of Revelation; while her Divines have been distinguished alike by the copiousness and the depth of their learning. The soundness of character thus given to the standard Theology of England has, through a variety of circumstances, been happily prevented from degenerating into the harshness of scholasticism; and thus the whole series of our SACRED CLASSICS' is a well of truth and consolation, as open to the general reader as to the most learned student.

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But, though several detached works, in different shapes, and under many varieties of price, have been of late brought into circulation, no attempt has yet been made to form the noblest productions of our Theological Writers into a uniform LIBRARY OF DIVINITY, and to present the collection to the public at such a price, that he who purchases at present the cheapest of ephemeral publications, may, for the same money, possess himself of works which cannot fail to afford him guidance and support in the highest exercises of his faculties, and under every vicissitude of life.—It is the desire of the Proprietor, in undertaking 'THE CABINET LIBRARY OF DIVINITY,' to effect this important object.

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It is intended to comprise in this collection, the best works of all the most celebrated writers, whose labours have been devoted to the elucidation and practical enforcement of the Principles of Revealed Truth, whether in their application to the immortal interests of individuals, or the order and well-being of society. Treatises on the DOCTRINES, MORALITY, and EVIDENCES OF CHRISTIANITY, which have received the permanent stamp of general approbation ;-select SERMONS of the most eminent DIVINES; the most interesting Specimens of RELIGIOUS BIOGRAPHY; and the choicest examples of DEVOTIONAL and SACRED POETRY, will succeed each other in the order which may be judged most conducive to the benefit and gratification of the reader.

To the productions of each Author, or to each separate production, as the case may seem to require, will be prefixed an INTRODUCTORY ESSAY, pointing out their characteristic excellencies; and, in some instances, comprehending a Biographical Sketch of the Author, with Remarks on the State of Religion in his times.

This being the design of the publication, the first Volume of which is now submitted to the public, it will perhaps be considered almost unnecessary to suggest to what class of readers in particular such a work must be a desideratum:-that which is so unquestionably valuable, cannot, it is believed, but prove acceptable to all. It is considered, however, that those guardians and instructors of our youth, who are desirous of recommending a course of serious reading, in preference to the desultory, unsatisfactory, and often pernicious practice, of skimming over the light miscellaneous productions of the day, cannot give a more judicious proof of their regard, than by presenting their young friends with a series of volumes of this nature. Its attractive form will interest their tastes, while its substantial worth will

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