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…

Furthermore, this point discovereth and descrieth a gross error in Popery, concerning the works of nature, which are wrought and effected by the single virtue and power of our own free will without the finger and grace of GOD. For whereas the Papists acquit many of them, and clear them from sin, as if an unregenerate man, by the strength and ability of his own will, as it were mounted upon his own wings, were able to aspire to the accomplishment of holy desires: we see that the Apostle in this place maketh no other account of the unregenerate,¹ then of dead men: and therefore that they must be quickened and new borne again, before they can practise or perform any vital action in the life of GOD. Christ is resembled to a vine, and we to the branches: for that all the juice and sap whereby the branches spring and live, issueth and ariseth from the root of the vine: so all the ⟨p. 1012⟩grace and goodness that is in us, droppeth and distilleth from the riches of the person of Jesus Christ. Before GOD blessed Sarah, she was barren, and childless: so until God bless our hearts, they be wicked, and fruitless. And therefore as an unclean fountain cannot send forth sweet water, nor a bad tree bring forth good fruit: no more can the corrupt and wicked heart of the unregenerate, bud and bring forth any good and virtuous actions. Thus much of our condition and preparation, whereby we have learned with how holy, and with how sanctified affections, we ought to repair to the hearing of the word. Now followeth our duty and affection when we are new borne.

Furthermore, this poynt discouereth and descrieth a grosse errour in Poperie, concerning the works of nature, which are wrought and effected by the single vertue and power of our owne free will without the finger and grace of GOD. For whereas the Papists acquite manie of them, and cleare them from sinne, as if an vnregenerate man, by the strength and abilitie of his owne will, as it were mounted vpon his owne wings, were able to aspire to the accomplishment of holie desires: wee see that the Apostle in this place maketh no other account of the vnregenerate,¹ then of dead men: and therefore that they must bee quickened and new borne againe, before they can practise or performe any vitall action in the life of GOD. Christ is resembled to a vine, and wee to the braunches: for that all the iuice and sappe whereby the braunches spring and liue, issueth and ariseth from the roote of the vine: so all the