The defects of preachers reproved in a sermon preached at Northampton, May 19th. 1723

4. Watch, Pray and Wait, Night and Day, that GOD will make His Mercy known to you, in pouring into you His Spirit of Grace and Supplication. Patiently wait upon Him in His appointed ways, to know a Time of a Lively Faith on CHRIST, a Time of Repentance or of Love to GOD, and to Fellow-Christians, so as to know a Time of your Conversion.

Whereas the Use of Notes in Preaching, is disapproved by such a worthy Father in our Israel; I wish it may extend to Correct or Prevent the use of Notes so as to carry along the Finger with the Line, as hath been Practised by some, a despicable way, like Learners in Spelling. And it will be well Improved by others that do use Notes in a less Degree, by their being led to an Examination of their Practise, and to a faulting themselves, if it be through a want of Care ⟨p. v⟩and Pains; but if the Use of Notes be from a being Conscious of a weakness of Memory, by their being led to an humble Use of them, & an Observation of the necessity thereof, that their Hearers may not lose much of the benefit of their Studying for them. If Notes must be used, let there be a due Care not to depend so on them as to hinder Gesture in Preaching and an holy Inspection of the Congregation: Let there be Endeavours to attain in a good Degree, to the scope of our Reverend Leader and Father, viz. the Emendation or Bettering of our Preaching. Our Indebtedness to him for the ensuing Discourse and other Fruits of his Labours, Extant for Public Benefit, is to be acknowledged: May we Thankfully Receive and well Improve them, and he Receive answerable Reward.

Whereas the Use of Notes in Preaching, is disapproved by such a worthy Father in our Israel; I wish it may extend to Correct or Prevent the use of Notes so as to carry along the Finger with the Line, as hath been Practised by some, a despicable way, like Learners in Spelling. And it will be well Improved by others that do use Notes in a less Degree, by their being led to an Examination of their Practise, and to a faulting themselves, if it be through a want of Care ⟨p. v⟩