The following Essay and Sermons were published, by subscription, soon after the Author’s death, and were honored with as respectable a list of subscribers, as any work now extant. Mr. De Courcy was so worthy a man, so distinguished a Christian, and so excellent a preacher, that we need not wonder, that all who had the happiness of his acquaintance, or enjoyed the benefit of his public ministry, wished to have, in their possession, some memorial of so valuable a friend. Mr. De C.’s views of the gospel were truly evangelical, the Parishioners of Saint Alkmond enjoyed the unspeakable advantage of a faithful ministration of the word of life; for, what he himself “tasted and felt, and handled,” of the good word of God, the preacher, with much zeal, affection and earnestness, recommended to others: the devotions of the desk and the instructions of the pulpit were not at variance; but, the one explained, elucidated and enforced the other, wherever this great man officiated. The attention of hearers, of all descriptions, was sure to be arrested, by the importance of the doctrines on which he insisted, the clearness with which he defended them, and the fervor with which they were enforced: his labors were abundantly blessed; and multitudes, we hope, will appear as his “crown of rejoicing,” another day.

When the present proprietors (who are also the publishers) of the work, first contemplated its republication, it was both their wish and intention to gratify the religious public with a memoir of the Author, and arrangements were made for that purpose; but a friend of the deceased expressed a wish, that it might not be carried into execution: it is therefore withheld.

Happy would it be for the Christian Church, if all who officiate at her altars could “give as full proof of their ministry.” Mr. De. C. has not only ably vindicated “the peculiar doctrines of the gospel,” but he has shown, in a very masterly manner, that those who claim to themselves the title of gospel-ministers, are the only persons who preach according to the 39 Articles, and that, instead of being the enemies of the Establishment, are its only consistent friends and its most able defenders. Having, “cordially and without mental reservation, equivocation or disguise,” signed the Articles, and declared his “assent and consent to all and every thing they contain,” and being convinced, after the most serious investigation and earnest prayer, that the doctrines of the Church of England are the doctrines of the gospel, he would have accused himself of hypocrisy and wickedness, had he not founded all his services upon those important truths, which are found both in the Bible and the Prayer-book. And, it is asked, What churches are so well attended, as those in which the pure word of God is preached? What clergymen are so truly exemplary in their conduct, as those who are termed “evangelical ministers? and, What congregations are so ready to every good word and work,” as those who attend such preachers? Immoral, antichristian shepherds scatter the flock; the pious pastor, by his truly evangelical labors, keeps them in the fold. When persons leave the Established Church, it is, in a great majority of instances, because they cannot receive there “the true bread of life,” and their souls hunger and thirst after that, which they cannot find, where they would otherwise willingly attend. Let the established clergy preach the gospel, and they will have no cause to complain of increasing Sectaries. [vi] Of the first edition, very few copies (more than were subscribed for) being printed, the present publishers presume that they are performing an office very acceptable, to the religious public, in presenting them with a new edition of a volume of sermons possessing every recommendation which such a work can have. Here will be found the purest doctrines expressed in the most eloquent and glowing language, and enforced with all the ardor of the Christian Minister. Feeling their immense importance, and being fully convinced that “the gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one who believes it,” Mr. De C. “has not shunned to declare the whole counsel of God;” he has preached the doctrines of the gospel practically, and enforced its duties evangelically; he has rescued the scripture-doctrines from the false imputation, that “the grace of God leads to licentiousness;” he has described Christian faith, not only in its nature, but in its effects; he has shown, how the grace of God operates on the heart, and is productive of the peaceable fruits of holy obedience. If modern infidels possessed sufficient candor, to read the “Essay on Pure and Undefiled Religion,” they must be convinced, that the love of God and Jesus Christ is the only source of purity of morals, that every species of morality which has not this foundation, is superficial in its nature and uncertain in its operation; while he has also shown, that the heart which is enlightened by the Spirit of God, and purified by the Spirit of Christ, will be the seat of every holy and heavenly temper.

The present Editor, who is totally unconnected with the family of the deceased, is far from thinking that Mr. De C.’s works need any recommendation from him. They speak for themselves; they need only to be known in order to be admired; for they will always be read with both pleasure and profit, so long as evangelical piety, fervent devotion and genuine godliness, have any charms in the estimation of the servants of Christ.

London, May, 1810.