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…

The Philosophers and Orators that have written such volumes, have left in their writings, that this was the keeper of their learning, like the bag which beareth the treasures. Therefore I may say with Christ, that the wicked are wiser then Christians: for the Orators and Philosophers used this help in hearing of earthly things, and we will not use it in hearing of heavenly things. The only cause why you forget so fast as you hear, and of all the sermons which you have heard have scarce the substance of one in your hearts, to comfort or counsel you when you have need, is because you went from Sermon to ⟨p. 659⟩dinner, and never thought any more of the matter, as though it were enough to hear, like sieves which hold water no longer then they are in the River.

The Philosophers and Orators that haue written such volumes, haue left in their writings, that this was the keeper of their learning, like the bagge which beareth the treasures. Therefore I may say with Christ, that the wicked are wiser then Christians: for the Orators and Philosophers vsed this helpe in hearing of earthly things, and wee will not vse it in hearing of heauenly things. The onlie cause why you forget so fast as you heare, and of al the sermons which you haue heard haue scarce the substance of one in your hearts, to comfort or counsaile you when you haue neede, is because you went from Sermon to ⟨p. 659⟩dinner, and neuer thought any more of the matter, as though it were enough to heare, like sieues which hold water no longer then they are in the Riuer.

What a shame is this to remember every clause in your Lease, and every point in your Fathers will, nay, to remember an old tale so long as you live, though it be long since you heard it, and the lessons which ye hear now, will be gone within this hour, that you may ask what hath stolen my sermon from me? Therefore that you may not hear us in vain, as you have heard others, my exhortation unto you, is, to record when you are gone, that which you have heard. If I could reach you a better way, I would: but Christs Disciples used this way when their thoughts ran upon his speech,