The sermons of Master Henry Smith gathered into one volume. Printed according to his…The sermons of Maister Henrie Smith gathered into one volume. Printed according to his…

This is a difference between men & beasts; men are not only ashamed to be seen naked themselves, but unless it be some Ham, they are ashamed to see another naked. Shem and Japheth saw not their fathers nakedness, who is so blind as he which will not see? Nay who is so blind as he which will see? the light of the eyes oftentimes draweth the soul out of light into darkness, knowing therefore that it was hard to see like Ham, and not ⟨p. 608⟩to sin like Ham, they would not see least they should offend. As they would not see it themselves, so they were careful that none other should see it, and therefore they covered it with their cloaks. For we must not only refrain sin, but restrain sin, according to that, Levit. 19. 17. Suffer not thy brother to sin, so Shem and Japheth seeing how their brother had sinned, stopped the cause that no more might sin, they were loath that he should see that which he would have them to see, their grief and modesty it was such, that they did not stay to make him any answer, or ask him any question, but straight they thought what was best to be done, and as a Nurse taketh the milk out of her own mouth to give to the Child, so they took off their cloaks from their backs to cover their fathers. Such a reverence is in children toward their parents, if they have but nature, that they will not suffer the majesty of their Father to wax vile, but rather they will hear any reproach against themselves, then abide a word against their Father. Now if we do such reverence to earthly Fathers which bring us into misery, that we had rather shame our selves then they should bear any shame, why are we so ashamed and afraid to speak for our father which calleth us out of misery into happiness: if Ham b• ⟨p. 609⟩cursed for dishonouring a man, let them fear which dishonour God.

This is a difference between men & beasts; men are not only ashamed to be seen naked themselues, but vnles it be some Cham, they are ashamed to see another naked. Shem and Iaphet saw not their fathers nakednesse, who is so blind as he which will not see? Nay who is so blinde as he which will see? the light of the eyes oftentimes draweth the soule out of light into darkenesse, knowing therfore that it was hard to see like Cham, and not