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

Quest. Is the late Practice of some Ministers, in Reading their Sermons, Commendable?

Answ. There be some Cases wherein it may be tolerable. Persons through Age may loose the strength of their Memories, & be under a Necessity to make use of their Notes; but ordinarily it is not to be allowed.

Consider 1. It was not the manner of the Prophets or Apostles. Baruch read the Roll that was written from the Mouth of Jeremiah; but Jeremiah was not wont to read his Prophesies. It was the manner of the Jews to read the Scriptures in the Synagogues; but after that it was their way to Instruct & Exhort men, not from any written Copy: Act, 13.15. After the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the Rulers of the Synagogue sent to them, saying, Men and brethren, if ye have any word of Exhortation for the People, say on. This was according to the Example of Christ, Luk. 4.17, 20. It was ordered in England in the Days of King Edward the Sixth, That Ministers ⟨p. 24⟩should Read Printed Homilies in Public: And there was great necessity of it, for there was not One in Ten, that were able to make Sermons But it has been the manner of worthy men both here and in other Places, to deliver their Sermons without their Notes.

Consider 1. It was not the manner of the Prophets or Apostles. Baruch read the Roll that was written from the Mouth of Jeremiah; but Jeremiah was not wont to read his Prophesies. It was the manner of the Jews to read the Scriptures in the Synagogues; but after that it was their way to Instruct & Exhort men, not from any written Copy: Act, 13.15. After the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the Rulers of the Synagogue sent to them, saying, Men and brethren, if ye have any word of Exhortation for the People, say on. This was according to the Example of Christ,