This excerpt is quoted here as an appropriate introduction to the following sermons from "To the Reader", p. viii, in William Greenhill's work, Sermons on Christ's Last Disclosure of Himself, first published in 1656, edited and republished by Soli Deo Gloria, copyright 1999 by Don Kistler.

"Reader, although these sermons were taken by the pen of a ready writer, and printed as they were taken, yet do not look for that spirit, power, and life that was in them when they were preached. The press is a dead thing compared to the pulpit. A sermon from the pulpit is like meat from the fire, like milk from the breast; but when it is on paper, it is only cold meat and milk, and has lost its lively taste, though it may nourish and become a standing dish to feed upon. This is the benefit in printing: when a preacher is absent or dead, the printed thing may be at hand and serviceable.

"Reader, if you look for high notions, quaint expressions, new opinions, strong lines, enticing words of man's wisdom, or anything to please a fleshly mind, I must say to you as Peter did to that man in the book of Acts, "Such silver and gold have I none; but what I have I give unto thee," and that is the plain and naked truths, according to the simplicity of Christ and the gospel."

Photo courtesy of photographer Craig Houtz and the Centre Daily Times.