A12406:1106
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 sermons of Master Henry Smith gathered into one volume. Printed according to his corrected copies in his life time.The sermons of Maister Henrie Smith gathered into one volume. Printed according to his corrected copies in his life time.
London: printed by Richard Field for Thomas Man, 1593
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Therefore looking into this Divine ordinance, what a power they have over the people, which they should never have got from men, if GOD had not given it them, I have thought it an easy matter to redress an hundred things which trouble Christendom without reason, and none would kick against it, if these Gods would cast down their Crowns, and begin to the rest, for all stay upon them, like the alarm which soundeth first to the battle: for our experience shows, that there will be no great good done, if the example of the best give not light unto the rest.
Therefore looking into this Diuine ordinaunce, what a power they haue ouer the people, which they shoulde neuer haue got from men, if GOD had not giuen it them, I haue thought it an easie matter to redresse an hundred things which trouble Christendome without reason, and none would kicke agaynst it, if these Gods would cast downe their Crownes, and begin to the rest, for all stay vpon them, like the alarme which soundeth first to the battell: for our experience shewes, that there will bee no great good done, if the example of the best giue not light vnto the rest.
Oh, would that Princely spirit would once come upon them to go before the people,1 which Moses appointed for the Kings place, and not lag after them like Herod which said,2 he would come after the wise men to Christ:3 for if Nicodemus come by ⟨p. 710⟩night, no marvel though the rest come not at all. Thus their name tells them how they should rule, and by consequence teacheth how we should obey: God calls them Gods, therefore he which contemneth them contemneth God: God calls them fathers, therefore we must reverence them like Fathers: God calls them Kings, Princes, Lords, Judges, Powers, Rulers, Governors, which are names of honour: and shall we dishonour them whom GOD doth honour? Our first lesson, is Fear God: