A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SOUL: BEING A COURSE OF SIX SERMONS, PREACHED DURING LENT, 1833. BY JOHN HAMBLETON, M. A. Of St. Edmund Hall, Oxford, MINISTER OF THE CHAPEL OF EASE, ISLINGTON. London: HATCHARD AND SON, PICCADILLY; SEELEY AND FORD; HUGHES; AND STARLING; ISLINGTON. 1833. PREFACE. THESE Sermons formed, as the title-page states, a Lent Course of Lectures, and were consequently restricted as to number. After preaching them, the Author had laid them by, with no intention of sending them to the press. In consequence, however, of urgent applications from those, for whose motives he entertains a sincere respect, he has been induced to re-consider the series, in order to discover why his friends solicited their publication. He could honestly say much, respecting his own sense of the deficiencies of the work, both as to its plan and execution. He could also say something, which might plead in extenuation of its failings. But now that he has consented to send it forth, such language might savour of feigned humility. If, then, this little book, such as it is, be only found to accord with the spirit of the Gospel of Christ, and to have been written with a single eye to his glory; may He but deign to honour it with his approving smile, and make it the instrument of encouraging or converting but one soul; and the author is more than content, he is truly thankful. There is, however, one form, in which the author did desire that these and all his sermons might re-appear, in a clear type, easy to be "known and read of all men;" namely, in the Christian lives and tempers of all to whom he ministers. He therefore |