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…

Therefore though Laban was wicked himself,¹ yet he rejoiced that Jacob his servant was godly, because God blessed him better for him.² Joshua saith: I and my household will serve the Lord. Showing, that masters should receive none into their houses, but whom they can govern, as Joshua did: and if any have crept into their doors, then they must put him forth again, for David saith: I will not suffer a liar to stay in my house, Psal. 101. 7. He saith not, a swearer, nor a thief, but a liar, as if he should say, I will rid him out of my doors before he be a swearer, and a thief, for a liar will grow to a swearer and a thief in a day, as a Dicer groweth to a beggar in a night. Therefore it is noted of Cornelius,³ that all his household served God himself. This is reported also of Joseph and Mary for an example, that they went up every year with all their families,⁴ to worship at Jerusalem, that their children, & their servants might learn to know God as well as they. These examples be written for householders, as others are for magistrates & ministers ⟨p. 58⟩and soldiers, that no calling might seek further then the Scripture for instruction. Wherefore as you are masters now, and they your servants instruct them, and train them, as if you would show what masters they should be hereafter.

Therfore though Laban was wicked himselfe,¹ yet hee reioyced that Iacob his seruaunt was godlie, because God blessed him better for him.² Ioshua sayth: I and my houshold will serue the Lord. Shewing, that maisters should receiue none into their houses, but whome they can gouerne, as Ioshua did: and if any haue crept into their doores, then they must put him foorth againe, for Dauid sayth: I will not suffer a lyar to stay in my house,