University of Virginia Library

Introduction

Astell excerpts a sizable passage from a sermon by non-juror George Hickes
(A Sermon Preached at the Church of St. Bridget [1684]). Hickes takes Hebrews 13.16
as his starting point: "But to do good, and to communicate, forget not; for with
such Sacrifices God is well-pleased."

Astell knew Hickes and so could have come at his sermon in any number of
ways. Her pagination reveals her source to be a copy of the sermon as published
individually in 1684 (the quoted material does indeed fall on pp. 26-27), but it is
worth noting the appearance in 1713 of A Collection of Sermons, Formerly Preached by
the Reverend George Hickes, D. D., 2 vols.