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…

Once God required offerings and sacrifices, ⟨p. 265⟩which men were unwilling to give,¹ because it was a dear service of God: but now he saith, that the heart is more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. Jacob loved Joseph more than all his brethren:² so God loveth the heart more than all her fellows;³ this mite God will have for all his benefits, which we may best afford him; thy alms to the poor, thy counsel to the simple, thy inheritance to thy children, thy tribute to Caesar, but thy heart to God:⁴ he which is a spirit, requires the spirit, and delights to dwell in the hearts of men. Here God plants himself as in a castle, which is always besieged with the world, the flesh, and the devil. If the enemy get a thought, or a word, or a work, yet he hath but razed the walls, but if he take the heart, then the fortress is lost. For that time all our thoughts, words and works, are captive unto him: he bids them go, and they go, do, and they do it.

Once God required offerings and sacrifices, ⟨p. 265⟩which men were vnwilling to giue,¹ because it was a deare seruice of God: but now he saith, that the heart is more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. Iacob loued Ioseph more than all his brethren:² so God loueth the heart more than all her fellowes;³ this myte God will haue for all his benefites, which we may best affoord him; thy almes to the poore, thy counsell to the simple, thy inheritance to thy children, thy tribute to Caesar, but thy heart to God:⁴