More Converts made by Preaching, then by Reading. [ 1580]
A Man may be converted by Reading,* 1.1 as Luther said he was; It is the con∣fession of Luther, that the reading of Iohn Hus's Works, was the main cause of his Conversion; And S. Augustin's, tolle, lege, taking up of the book, and reading that of the Apostle, Not in chambering and wantonnesse, was, by Gods especial favour, a means to draw him out of that puddle of Sin, wherein he had a long time wallowed.* 1.2 Thus there is a blessing for Readers. And there may a Fish or two hang on the Net, being let down on a heap; but that's a chance; It is not the Net lapped up together that bringeth in the draught,* 1.3 but hailed out at length and spread all abroad that closeth in the Fish; So it is the spreading of the Word, the stretching of it out upon every Soul present by the work of the Ministry, that is the way to catch many; so that the reason of such ill successe in many Ministers is, not spreading the net, not dilating upon the matter in hand, whereby their Preaching seems to be little better then Reading.