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…

TO THE READER.

BY the ear cometh knowledge, and therefore it is likely that many would profit by Sermons, if they were taught to hear. But before they can tell how to hear, that is, what things to observe, and the way to remember them, it is not possible that they should learn much, though they hear often: for this I know by trial, even of those which are counted amongst the best and ancientest bearers in London, that they might learn more in a month, than they have gathered in twenty years, for they understand neither the Lords Prayer, nor the Creed, nor the ten Commandments, but ⟨image 325⟩have a few notes in their heads of some Sermons that they have heard, and that is all their knowledge, except some few, which have kept the order laid down in this book. Therefore that every man may be able not only to make a confession of his faith, but to give a reason of his faith too, that which I have preached, here I have written, as a Catechism for hearers to begin at: Desiring all my brethren, that they would tell their flocks at the first, that they shall never profit much, unless they record their Sermons so soon as they are gone, and that they as Teachers would study to deliver that which is worthy to be recorded.

BY the eare commeth knowledge, and therefore it is likelie that many would profit by Sermons, if they were taught to heare. But before they can tell how to heare, that is, what things to obserue, and the way to remember them, it is not possible that they should learne much, though they heare often: for this I knowe by tryall, euen of those which are counted amongst the best and auncientest bearers in Londō, that they might learne more in a moneth, thā they haue gathered in twenty yeres, for they vnderstand neither the Lordes Praier, nor the Creede, nor the ten Commādements, but ⟨image 325⟩