A12406:1255
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.
God would have nothing so perfect as a Christian, for whom he hath given his well beloved ⟨p. 931⟩Son, his spirit, his Law, and his prophets, That the man of God may be perfect, as Paul saith. Yet every thing grows until it be perfect, the builder builds till it be an house: The Tailor soweth till it be a garment: The painter paints till it be a picture: Only the Christian leaves off before he attain to be a Christian, and makes a full period at almost.
God would haue nothing so perfect as a Christian, for whome he hath giuen his welbeloued ⟨p. 931⟩Sonne, his spirit, his Lawe, and his prophets, That the man of God may be perfect, as Paule saith. Yet euery thing growes vntill it be perfect, the builder buildes till it bee an house: The Tailour soweth till it be a garment: The painter paints till it be a picture: Onely the Christian leaues off before he attaine to bee a Christian, and makes a full period at almost.
That which GOD would have to be perfectest of all, he had rather have unperfect than perfect, half than all, a little wealth, a little rest, a little honour, and a little pleasure seems nothing, but a little faith is enough although it be never so small a mite.
That which GOD would haue to be perfectest of all, hee had rather haue vnperfect than perfect, halfe than all, a little wealth, a little rest, a little honor, and a little pleasure seems nothing, but a little faith is enough although it be neuer so small a mite.
We have a weight of all kind of metals, a touchstone for gold, a measure for grain, and we will not take one jot less than measure of any man, only we cut GOD of his weight and measure, and weigh our service in half balances: This I will do, and this I will not do, God shall have one part, and the the world shall have another part, and the flesh shall have another part, and the devil shall have another part. Thus we have brought GOD to his stint: ask while he will, he shall have no more but almost: Almost zealous, almost faithful, almost righteous, as though almost were better than altogether: that is, the counterfeit than the