A12406:492
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…
The sermons of Master Henry Smith gathered into one volume. Printed according to his corrected copies in his life time.The sermons of Maister Henrie Smith gathered into one volume. Printed according to his corrected copies in his life time.
London: printed by Richard Field for Thomas Man, 1593
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
1. Tim. 6. 6. Godliness is great gain, if a man be content with that he hath.
1. Tim. 6. 6. Godlinesse is great gaine, if a man be content with that he hath.
Because when we preach, we know not whether we shall preach again, my care is to choose fit and proper texts to speak that which I would speak, and that which is necessary for you to hear. Therefore, thinking with my self what doctrine were fittest for you, I sought for a text which speaks against covetousness, which I may call the Londoners sin. Although God hath given you more then other, which should turn covetousness into thankfulness, yet as the Ivy groweth with the Oak, so covetousness hath grown with riches, every man wisheth the Philosophers stone, and who is within these walls, that thinks he hath enough, though there be so many that have too much? As the Israelites murmured as much when they had Manna,1 as when they were without it,2 so they which have riches, covet as much as they ⟨p. 205⟩which are without them: that conferring your minds and your wealth together, I may truly say, this City is rich if it were not covetous. This is the devil which bewitcheth you, to think that you have not enough, when you have more then you need. If you cannot choose but covet riches, I will show you riches which you may covet, Godliness is great riches.
BEcause when wee preach, wee know not whether we shall preach againe, my care is to chuse fit and proper texts to speake that which I would speak, and that which is necessarie for you to heare. Therefore, thinking with my selfe what doctrine were fittest for you, I sought for a text which speaks against couetousnes, which I may cal the Londoners sinne. Although God hath giuen you more then other, which should turne couetousnes into thankefulnesse, yet as the Iuie groweth with the Oke, so couetousnesse hath growne with riches, euerie man wisheth the Philosophers stone, and who is within these walles, that thinkes he hath enough, though there be so manie that haue too much? As the Israelits murmured as much whē they had Manna,