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…

This is the first note, the very show of goodness shall be taken from them which have not goodness it self: lest men should content themselves with shows and shadows, Christ saith, That which he seemeth to have shall be taken from him: As if he should say, take away his Talent and his napkin too, that he may not seem to have a Talent. As Moses saith, I will not leave a hoof behind. Thou shalt not seem just, nor wise, nor hovest, but I will make thee as naked to men, as Adam was to me. Even as the Fig-tree because it had no fruit was spoiled of his leaves which showed like fruit: so they which have made shipwreck of honesty, shall make shipwreck of credit too: Their name shall go with a brand upon it like Cain the murderer, ⟨p. 694⟩Achan the thief, Absalom the rebel, Magus the sorcerer; Judas had for his title, Judas which betrayed the Lord, Acts. 1. Jeroboam had for his title, Jeroboam which made Israel to sin. Demas had for his title, Demas which embraced the world. Mark how sin doth persecute and vex the sinner. Indeed Demas had embraced the world, but he would not have all the world to know it: but see first how God makes Paul to know it, and after he makes him to proclaim it, that now Demas is not only an hypocrite, but known to be an hypocrite, like a Rogue which is burned in the ear. When Jeroboam's wife came to the Prophet to enquire of her son, she disguised her self because she would not be known, yet the Prophet knew her, for so soon as she knocked at the door, he called, cometh Jeroboam's wife: so though men disguise themselves with sober countenances, and holy speeches, and honest company, because they would not be known, yet when GOD seeth an hypocrite, he will pull his visor from his face, as Adam was stripped of his fig leaves, and show the Anatomy of his hart, as though his life were written in his forehead, and he shall marvel how men know that▪ which he scarce though• had been known to God.

This is the first note, the verie shewe of goodnesse shall bee taken from them which haue not goodnesse it selfe: lest men should content themselues with shewes and shadowes, Christ saith, That which he seemeth to haue shall be taken from him: As if he should say, take away his Talent and his napkin too, that hee may not seeme to haue a Talent. As Moses saith, I will not leaue a hoofe behinde. Thou shalt not seeme iust, nor wise, nor houest, but I will make thee as naked to men, as Adam was to me. Euen as the Fig-tree because it had no fruit was spoyled of his leaues which shewed like fruit: so they which haue made shipwracke of honestie, shall make shipwracke of credite too: Their name shall goe with a brand vpon it like Caine the murderer,