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…

You know that the Papists do cover the spots of their Bishops with this cloak of Shem and Japheth, and not only they but others too, for if any speak of corruption in Rulers, or bribery in Judges, or Simony in Bishops, or non-residencie in Pastors, he is said to discover his fathers nakedness like Ham, but as we may not reveal all sins, least the uncircumcised rejoice, so we may not cover some sins, least the uncircumcised increase: For if some mens drunkenness were not reproved, they would be drunken still, and make a common weal of drunkards: therefore they which will be converted, first let them prove themselves fathers, as Noah was, and after let them amend as Noah did, and they which cover them, let them distinguish between Noah and Ham, and between error and obstinacy. For some, Christ appointeth admonition, for others reprehension, for others Excommunication, and for others correction: therefore every mans nakedness must not be covered as Noah's was: we will cover the first drunkenness, as Shem and Japheth did, if they will repent as Noah did, and be drunken no more. But shall we follow them like a blind ⟨p. 610⟩mans Boy, to stay them so often as they fall, when they say that they stumble not, though they lye on the ground? This is not the cloak of reverence, but the cloak of flattery. Therefore as Christ said, Let the dead bury the dead: So I may say, let the wicked cover the wicked; the Wolves are not the Lambs fathers, but the Lambs Butchers, therefore if they would be covered, let them speak to their Children to cover them, for this is our rule, They which sin openly, reprove openly, that the rest may fear, 1. Tim. 5. 20.

You knowe that the Papists doe couer the spottes of their Bishoppes with this cloake of Shem and Iaphet, and not onely they but others too, for if any speake of corruption in Rulers, or briberie in Iudges, or Simonie in Bishops, or non-residencie in Pastors, he is said to discouer his fathers nakednesse like Cham, but as we may not reueale all sinnes, least the vncircumcised reioyce, so wee may not couer some sinnes, least the vncircumcised encrease: For if some mens drunkennesse were not reprooued, they would bee drunken still, and make a common weale of drunkards: therefore they which will bee conuerted, first let them prooue themselues fathers, as Noah was, and after let them amend as Noah did, and they which couer them, let them distinguish betweene Noah and Cham, and betweene errour and obstinacie. For some, Christ appointeth admonition, for others reprehension, for others Excommunication, and for others correction: therefore euerie mans nakednesse must not bee couered as Noahs was: wee will couer the first drunkennesse, as Shem and Iaphet did, if they will repent as Noah did, and bee drunken no more. But shall wee followe them like a blinde