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…

There is no sentence in Scripture which the devil had rather you should not regard then this lesson of hearing: for if you take heed how you hear, you shall not only profit by this Sermon, but every Sermon after this shall leave such instruction, and peace, and comfort with you, as you never thought the Word contained for you: therefore no marvel if the Tempter do trouble you when you should hear, as the fowls cumbered Abraham when he should offer Sacrifice. For be ye well assured that this is an infallible sign, that some excellent and notable good is toward you, when the devil is so busy to hinder your hearing of the Word, which of all other things he doth most envy unto you: therefore as he appointed Adam to another tree, lest he should go to the Tree of life:¹ so, knowing the Word to be like unto the Tree of life, he appointeth you to other business, to other exercises, to other works, and to other studies, ⟨p. 628⟩least you should hear it, and be converted to GOD, whereby the tribute and revenue of his kingdom should be impaired: therefore mark how many forces he hath bent against one little scripture to frustrate this counsel of Christ, Take heed how you hear.

There is no sentence in Scripture which the diuell had rather you should not regarde then this lesson of hearing: for if you take heede how you heare, you shall not onely profite by this Sermon, but euery Sermon after this shall leaue such instruction, and peace, and comfort with you, as you neuer thought the Word contayned for you: therefore no maruaile if the Tempter doe trouble you when you should heare, as the fowles combred Abraham when he should offer Sacrifice. For bee yee well assured that this is an infallible signe, that some excellent and notable good is towarde you, when the diuell is so busie to hinder your hearing of the Worde, which of all other things he dooth most enuie vnto you: therefore as hee appoynted Adam to another tree, lest he should goe to the Tree of life:¹ so, knowing the Word to be like vnto the Tree of life, he appoynteth you to other businesse, to other exercises, to other workes, and to other studies, ⟨p. 628⟩least you should heare it, and be conuerted to GOD, whereby the tribute and reuenew of his kingdome should bee impayred: therefore marke how many forces he hath bent against one little scripture to frustrate this counsell of Christ, Take heed how you heare.