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Mr. Dod (an excellent old Divine) would say, that he would rather preach an old sermon ten times, than mount the pulpit without preparation. ‘God will curse that man’s labours, who is found in the world all week, and then on Saturday, in the afternoon, goes to his study; but God knows that there was little enough time to pray in, and weep in, and get his heart into a fit frame for the duties of the approaching Sabbath.’ Preface prefixed to Shepherd’s Subjection to Christ. See also Philip Henry’s Life, p. 61. Dr. Owen comments on some ‘good men, so addicted to their study that they thought the last day of the week was sufficient to prepare for their Ministry, though they employed the rest of the week in other studies.’ Sermon on 1Cor. 12.11. Of Mr. Strong (an eminent Puritan Divine) it is told that he made preaching his work, and he was so taken up in it, that he was often in watchings [i.e. sleepless] a great part of the night, besides his pains in his day studies.’ Preface to Strong’s Sermons, by Dr. Henry Wilkinson, Dean of Christchurch.