The difference betwixt Sermons preached, and Sermons printed. [ 1882]
THere is as much difference between a Sermon in a Pulpit, and printed in a book,* 1.1 as between milk in the warm breast, and in a sucking bottle, yet what it loseth in the lively taste is recompenced by the convenience of it; The book may be had at hand, when the Preacher cannot; And that's the chief end of Printing, that as the bottle and spoon is used when the Mother is sick or out of the way; so the book, to quiet the Christian, and stay his stomach in the ab∣sence of the Ordinance;* 1.2 yet he that readeth Sermons and good books at home to save his pains of going to hear, is a Thief to his Soul in a Religious habit; he consults for his ease, but not for his profit, he eats cold meat when he may have hot: He hazards the losing the benefit of both by contemning of one, offering sacriledg for Sacrifice, in robbing God of one duty to pay him in another.