And I am almost confident that, since the Reformation, nothing has more hindered people from a just estimation of a _Form of Prayer_ and our holy _Liturgy_ than employing a company of boys, or old illiterate mumblers, to read the _Service_. And I do verily believe, that, at this very day, especially in Cities and Corporations, which make up the third part of our nation, there is nothing that does more keep back some dissatisfied people from Church till _Service_ be over, than that it is read by some £10 or £12 man, with whose parts and education they are so well acquainted, as to have reason to know that he has but skill enough to read the _Lessons_ with twice conning over. And though the office of the Reader be only to read word for word, and neither to invent or expound: yet people love he should be a person of such worth and knowledge, as it may be supposed he understands what he reads. And although for some it were too burdensome a task to read the _Service_ twice a day, and preach as often; yet certainly it were much better if the people had but one sermon in a fortnight or month, so the _Service_ were performed by a knowing and valuable person, than to run an unlearned rout of contemptible people into Holy Orders, on purpose only to say the _Prayers_ of the Church, who perhaps shall understand very little more than a hollow pipe made of tin or wainscoat. Neither do I here at all reflect upon Cathedrals, where the _Prayers_ are usually read by some grave and worthy person. And as for the unlearned singers, whether boys or men, there is no complaint to be made, as to this case, than that they have not an all understanding Organ, or a prudent and discreet Cornet. Neither need people be afraid that the Minister for want of preaching should grow stiff and rusty; supposing he came not into the pulpit every week. For he can spend his time very honestly, either by taking better care of what he preaches, and by considering what is most useful and seasonable for the people: and not what subject he can preach upon with most ease, or upon what text he can make a brave speech, for which nobody shall be the better! or where he can best steal, without being discovered, as is the practice of many Divines in private parishes. Or else, he may spend it in visiting the sick, instructing the ignorant, and recovering such as are gone astray.