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 Peter the Apostle proveth again in his first Epistle, and third Chapter, when he exhorteth the husband and wife to love one another, lest their prayers be interrupted, ⟨p. 868⟩showing that sin doth hinder our Prayer, and that a man cannot pray heartily when wrath or malice, or lust doth carry his mind away.

This Peter the Apostle prooueth againe in his first Epistle, and third Chapter, when hee exhorteth the husband and wife to loue one another, lest their praiers be interrupted, ⟨p. 868⟩shewing that sinne dooth hinder our Prayer, and that a man cannot pray heartilie when wrath or malice, or lust doth carrie his mind away.

This Paul witnesseth again when he saith, Howe should they call upon him in whom they have not believed? showing, that none can pray but they which have faith: and that is a sign that the Spirit is within, if he can pray and therefore one saith: so long as God doth not take away thy praying, he hath not taken away his mercy. Seeing then that prayer is such a sacrifice, as is offered to none but GOD: and none can offer it but they which have faith,¹ and love, and repentance, to bring it to him: As Aaron did not stand before the Lord before he was washed: so let no man call upon GOD before he be sanctified. For as Isaac did first taste Jacobs meat,² and then blessed him when he liked his offering: so God will have an offering which pleaseth him before he give the blessing which pleaseth us. Therefore as Jacob charged his sons when they went unto Joseph: Take the best fruits of the land and give unto him: ³So I advise my self and you, when we go to GOD, let us take the best fruits of our hearts and give unto him: that is, not the show of repentance, but repentance in deed.