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

Secondly, Let them be new for matter and manner, for ⟨p. 303⟩things common breed loathing, the best dishes if we feed every day on them, we shall loath them in the end. Manna though it was the best food, Angels food, yet the Israelites grew weary of it, and the word is not only common when it is not new, but it loses the efficacy; Physic if it grow familiar to the body, it will not work; so when admonitions are familiar there is not so much notice taken of them, they pierce not so effectually, nor enter into the soul.

Secondly, Let them be new for matter and manner, for ⟨p. 303⟩things common breed loathing, the best dishes if we feed every day on them, we shall loath them in the end. Manna though it was the best food, Angels food, yet the Israelites grew weary of it, and the word is not onely common when it is not new, but it loses the efficacy; Physick if it grow familiar to the body, it will not work; so when admonitions are familiar there is not so much notice taken of them, they pierce not so effectually, nor enter into the soul.

Fourthly, Their words must be methodically delivered. ¹This is gathered thus; the word is meet, as meat will not nourish unless it be retained, no more will the word, and that is not retained without method. He that preaches without this puts water into a sieve that will run out, so the word confusedly taught runs out and stays not with them; if it do, it doth them no good, they may be compared to the walls of Besaxtim the joiners whereof were so close that, unum continum putares Lapidem, you would think it were one stone, though it be a commendation in a wall, it is not in a sermon for three reasons.

Fourthyl, Their words must be methodically delivered. ¹