Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity…

Now that the words of a Minister may be wholesome; four things are to be taken heed of.

First, That there be no evil, no poison in them; for first, evil words corrupt good manners, if in our ordinary talk there must be no evil, much less when a man stands in Gods stead. And besides, they belly God in them, for he spake them not. Gods words are pabulum animarum, the food of souls. Now such as the meat is, such is the complexion: so what food the soul feeds on, such is the temper of it, if on wholesome food, a good heart, if on unwholesome, an evil heart.

First, That there be no evil, no poyson in them; for first, evil words corrupt good manners, if in our ordinary talk there must be no evil, much less when a man stands in Gods stead. And besides, they bely God in them, for he spake them not. Gods words are pabulum animarum, the food of souls. Now such as the meat is, such is the complection: so what food the soul feeds on, such is the temper of it, if on wholesome food, a good heart, if on unwholesome, an evil heart.

Secondly, They must be such, as are not only pleasing to the palate, and delightful to the taste, as some Sermons that are neatly made, which like music tickle the ears for the present, but leave no fruit behind them: but they must be good for substance.

Secondly, They must be such, as are not onely pleasing to the pallat, and delightful to the taste, as some Sermons that are neatly made, which like musick tickle the ears for the present, but leave no fruit behinde them: but they must be good for substance.