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 Solomon pricking out the heart for God, spake as though he would set out the pleasantest, and fairest, & easiest way to serve him, without any grudging, or toil, or weariness: touch but the first link, and all the rest will follow; so set the heart a going, and it is like the poise of a clock, which turns all ⟨p. 273⟩the wheels one way; such an Oil is upon the heart, which makes all nimble and currant about it: therefore it is almost as easy to speak well and do well, as to think well. If the heart indite a good matter, no marvel though the tongue be the Pen of a ready writer:¹ but if the hart be dull, all is like a left hand, so unapt and untoward, that it cannot turn it self to any good.

Therefore Salomon pricking out the heart for God, spake as though he would set out the pleasantest, and fairest, & easiest way to serue him, without any grudging, or toyle, or wearinesse: touch but the first linke, and all the rest will follow; so set the heart a going, and it is like the poize of a clocke, which turnes all ⟨p. 273⟩the wheeles one way; such an Oyle is vpon the heart, which makes al nimble and currant about it: therfore it is almost as easie to speak well and doe well, as to thinke well. If the heart indite a good matter, no maruel though the tongue be the Pen of a readie writer:¹ but if the hart be dull, all is like a left hand, so vnapt and vntoward, that it cannot turne it selfe to any good.

1. 1Psal. 45. 1.

Therefore Gods suits have so hard passage in mens counsels, judgements, and Parliaments, because they do not give him their harts, which should be the first offering of all; if they would give him their hearts before they sit down to hear his cause, they could not deny him any thing that is for his honour, though it were against their profit: but as Christ sayeth,