Note 15 — 5
Reading edition
Farmer in his brilliant book, The Servant of the Word, makes this illuminating comment on preaching:
"The wisdom of the reformers appears in always associating the speaking of the word with the other sacraments, and the protestant habit, which is sometimes derided, of always having an address at every meeting is seen to have sound reason behind it. It is part of our whole understanding and valuation of the person and the personal way in which God deals with him. I want the thrusting intrusiveness, the interjection, of another's serious speech. I believe there can be no substitute for the sermon." Ibid pp. 80-81.