A12406:1252
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.
The Dialogue between Paul and Agrippa.The Dialogue betweene Paul and Agrippa.
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.
Shall we now behold our face in Agrippa's Glass, whether we be altogether like Paul, or almost like Agrippa, or like Festus not at all? Christians or no Christians, or what kind of Christians are we? There be many degrees upon earth, but this is the highest degree: There be many names of honour, but this is the honourablest name: there be many professors of men, but this is the ⟨p. 932⟩best profession to be a Christian, that is, the Son of GOD, the fellow of Angels, the heir of heaven: yet whether we should be Christians, or Christians almost, or Christians altogether, is a question which troubleth every man, and when altogether is approved for best, yet we choose almost before it.
Shall we nowe behold our face in Agrippaes Glasse, whether wee bee altogether like Paule, or almost like Agrippa, or like Festus not at all? Christians or no Christians, or what kind of Christians are wee? There bee many degrees vppon earth, but this is the highest degree: There be many names of honour, but this is the honourablest name: there bee many professours of men, but this is the ⟨p. 932⟩best profession to be a Christian, that is, the Sonne of GOD, the fellowe of Angels, the heire of heauen: yet whether we should be Christians, or Christians almost, or Christians altogether, is a question which troubleth euery man, and when altogether is approoued for best, yet wee choose almost before it.
There is some thing always behind, like the eye which looked to Sodom: as an Owl peeps at the Sun out of a barn but dares not come to it, so we peep at Religion and will not come near it, but stand a loof off pinking and winking as though we were more afraid of GOD than the devil: For self-love, and regard of persons, and fear of laws, and sway of time, more are afraid to be too holy, than too profane, because holiness is worse entreated than profaneness.
There is some thing alwaies behinde, like the eye which looked to Sodome: as an Owle peeps at the Sunne out of a barne but dares not come to it, so we peepe at Religion and will not come neere it, but stande a loofe off pinking and winking as though we were more afraid of GOD than the diuell: For selfe-loue, and regarde of persons, and feare of lawes, and sway of time, more are afraide to be too holie, than too prophane, because holinesse is worse intreated than prophanesse.