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…

Now I must lead you from almost to altogether, as it were to Christians from the figure of Christians. This is the step which we must tread at this time. I would to God (saith Paul) that thou wert not almost but altogether ⟨p. 940⟩as I am. When he saw Agrippa coming on, and said almost, then Paul cast up his lure again: Comest thou Agrippa? Come Agrippa, I will not have thee stay at almost, if any thing will bring thee to altogether I did not ask thee whether thou didst believe the Prophets, that thou mightest be a Christian almost but a Christian altogether. Art thou come thus far, and stayest thou at almost? Nay Agrippa thou must take out this lesson, for there is no measure in Christianity. Come unto me saith Christ, not come toward me, yet he was glad like the father to see his son coming toward him, for it was a sign that he would come to him: he was comforted with almost, but he was not satisfied without altogether. Is this thy offering Almost? it will not serve Agrippa: it is light, it is soldered, it is cracked, correct it again: For our master saith, Be ye holy as I am holy: Therefore almost a Christian will not please him. But if thou be almost a Christian already, how easy is it for thee to be a Christian altogether. Therefore come Agrippa, let us go forward to heaven. The seed is sown to grow. Every thing must increase and multiply. Almost is thy first answer, and altogether thy last. I must not take this for an answer. Shall I tell Christ, that Agrippa is almost a Christian? O Agrippa, ⟨p. 941⟩God would have thee hot or cold, as it appeareth in the third Chapter of the Revelation of S. John, and the 15. verse. Cold to him is as pleasing as luke-warm: he loveth altogether, and he will not be loved almost: Who shall have the other half, if God have but almost? Therefore speak again good Agrippa. Thus he pleadeth unkindness with him, like an importunate suitor with will not be answered. Shall I go with almost? then thou usest me but hardly, if thou wilt give me no more. Thus he stands in argument with him. What shall I say to Agrippa, if he will give me but almost? I will pray for thee till thou comest off with all. If I can get no more of Agrippa, I will crave more of God. He which hath made thee almost, can make thee altogether. I would to God, &c.

Now I must leade you from almost to altogether, as it were to Christians from the figure of Christians. This is the step which we must treade at this time. I would to God (saith Paul) that thou wert not almost but altogether