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…

This admonished them, that the matter (now to be performed) was very weighty, and therefore they were deeply to consider it: for now was the action and sum of all salvation in handling. If they did prepare themselves so, before they did receive the figure of this Sacrament, how should we be prepared before we receive the Sacrament it self?¹ Therefore as Josiah commandeth the Levites to prepare the people: so Paul adviseth the people ⟨p. 131⟩to prepare themselves, that is, to examine whether they have faith, and love, and repentance,² before they come to this feast. By this all may see: first, that Paul would have every lay man skilful in the scripture, that he be able to examine himself by it; for this admonition is not to them which minister the Sacrament, but to all which receive the Sacrament. And the rule by which we must examine our selves, is the law which we should obey: therefore if the rule be unknown, the examination must be undone. Our doctrine must be examined by the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles;³ our prayers must be examined by the six petitions of Christs prayer;⁴ our belief must be examined by the twelve Articles of faith; our life must be examined by the ten Commandments of the Law.⁵ Now, he which hath his Touch-stone may try gold from copper; but he which hath it not, takes one for the other: therefore,⁶ before Pauls Examine, you had need to learn Christs Search, ⁷Search the Scriptures, and they will lighten you to search your selves. This is the doctrine with which I will end, and the necessary point for which I choose this Text, to teach you (if I could) that Christian Art how to examine your selves.