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…

David setteth forth the godly man like a tree planted by the waters side, ¹Which sprouteth, and groweth and bringeth forth fruit Straight upon this, he saith: It is not so with the wicked. When he spake of growing and flourishing, and fructifying, he saith: It is not so with the wicked. That is, it is contrary with the wicked: therefore their gifts are not like the tree planted by the waters side, but like the Chaff which the wind bloweth away. ²Nay saith David, themselves are like Chaff which the wind bloweth away. ³If they be Chaff, then their fruit is Chaff. The Gluttons table was for the ungodly, but the Lords table was for the holy.⁴ Therefore he which had not the Wedding garment, had not the wedding feast. For if the Lord would cast pearls unto Swine, why doth he forbid us to do so? Therefore it is not said, Be it unto thee as thou desirest, lest all should look to receive: but Be it unto thee as thou believest, that all might care to Believe. It is not said to them which seek not, ye shall find: but Seek, and you shall find. How should they Enter which have not a hand to knock at the door? How should ⟨p. 682⟩they Receive, which have not a tongue to ask the giver? How should they have wisdom which have not the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom? ⁵Thus as James saith, Show me thy faith, and I will show thee my faith: So God faith, show me thy love, and I will show thee my love: as Christ was known at Emmaus by breaking of bread, so you may know him here by dealing his gifts. It is said when Joseph feasted his brethren,⁶ Benjamin's mess had five times more than any of his brethren, because Joseph loved him more than the rest: so the mercy and graces of God will show to whom his affection standeth. If you see Christ leaning on a mans breast as John did on Christs breast, then may you say, this is a beloved Disciple: For as Lidia persuaded Paul and Silas to come to her house,