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…

Thus in every place where he comes (like a ⟨p. 1071⟩foggy mist) he leaves an evil savour behind him. The murmuring of Moses, the dissimulation of Abraham, the idolatry of Aaron, the incest of Lot, the drunkenness of Noah, the adultery of David, the flight of Jonah, the denial of Peter, name Satan, & thou hast named the very spawn of all sins, which with his tail plucked down the stars from heaven. How many hate their enemies, & friends too, and yet embrace this enemy, because he kisseth when he betrayeth, as though he would not betray. Avarice saith, I will make thee amiable: tyranny saith, I will make thee dreadful: sloth saith, I will make thee beautiful: vanity saith, I will make thee merry: prodigality saith, I will make thee beloved: So the poor sinner stands distract how he may follow all sins at once, seeking grapes of thistles, and roses of thorns.

Thus in euery place where he comes (like a ⟨p. 1071⟩foggie mist) he leaues an euill sauour behinde him. The murmuring of Moses, the dissimulation of Abraham, the idolatrie of Aaron, the incest of Lot, the dronkennes of Noah, the adulterie of Dauid, the flight of Ionah, the deniall of Peter, name Satan, & thou hast named the very spawne of all sinnes, which with his taile plucked downe the starres from heauen. How many hate their enemies, & friends too, and yet imbrace this enemie, because he kisseth when he betrayeth, as though he would not betray. Auarice saith, I will make thee amiable: tyrannie saith, I will make thee dreadfull: sloth saith, I will make thee beautifull: vanitie saith, I will make thee merrie: prodigalitie sayth, I will make thee beloued: So the poore sinner stands distract how he may follow all sins at once, seeking grapes of thistles, and roses of thornes.

As he tempteth to all sins, so he tempteth by all means: for the name of a compasser doth import a cunning tempter. There is craft in compassing: the Hunter maketh a rail about the Deere, as though he would guard them, when he meaneth to take some of them: the Fowler goeth about the bird as if he did not see her, when he comes to snare her. If men have so many sleights to compass their matters, how can the compasser himself hold his