A12406:605
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.
As a man considers what he doth when he gives: so God licenseth us to consider of that which we do for him, whether he deserves it, whether we owe it, whether he can requite it, lest it should come against our will, therefore give me, saith God: as though he would not strain upon us, or take from us, but if thou wilt give him thy heart, then he accepts it; it must come freely like a gift, as his blessings come to us, and then his demand is granted.
As a man considers what he doth when he giues: so God licenseth vs to consider of that which we do for him, whether he deserues it, whether we owe it, whether he can requite it, lest it should come against our will, therefore giue me, saith God: as though he would not straine vpon vs, or take from vs, but if thou wilt giue him thy heart, then he accepts it; it must come freely like a gift, as his blessings come to vs, and then his demaund is graunted.
Here is no respect of time, how long thou mayest stay it, or how long he will keep it, but ⟨p. 269⟩give it, is the present time, as though he would have it out of hand, while he asks, before the go out of the Church: for what can we ask of him, while we deny him but one thing when he asks of us? therefore consider who is a suitor to you. Now I am a Collector for God, to gather hearts, either you must grant him, or deny him; think who shall loose by it, if thou wilt not pay thy Land-lord his rent. How many subjects would rejoice if they had any thing to give to their prince, & pray her to accept it, and be glad if she would take it, that they might but say; I have given a present to the Queen.1 So Mary rejoiced that she had a little Oil to sprinkle upon Christ, that she would take no money for it; yea the widow of Zareptah was so joyful that she had a little food for the Prophet,2 that she spared it from her children and her self, to serve him first: so they which love the Lord like his disciple, which left all to follow him,