A12406:640
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.
THE TRUE TRIAL OF THE SPIRITS.THE TRVE TRIAL OF THE SPIRITES.
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.
After Quench not the Spirit, followeth, Despise not prophesying. In the end of this Epistle, Paul speaketh like a father which is come to the end of his life; who because he hath but a while to speak, heapeth his Lessons together, which he would have his sons remember when he is gone: so Paul, as though he were set to give good counsel, and had not leisure to speak that he would, sendeth the Thessalonians a brief of his mind, which their meditation should after amplify & expound unto them.
After Quench not the Spirite, followeth, Despise not prophecying. In the ende of this Epistle, Paule speaketh like a father which is come to the ende of his life; who because he hath but a while to speake, heapeth his Lessons together, which he would haue his sons remember when he is gone: so Paul, as though he were set to giue good counsel, and had not leasure to speake that he would, sendeth the Thessalonians a briefe of his minde, which their meditation should after amplifie & expound vnto them.
His first advice is, Quench not the Spirit, that is, when a good motion cometh, welcome it like a friend, and cross it not with thy lusts. The second admonition teacheth how the first should be kept, Despise not prophesying, and the spirit will not quench, because ⟨p. 296⟩prophesying doth kindle it. The third admonition teacheth how to make fruit of the second; Try the doctrines of them which prophesy, and thou shalt not believe error for truth, but hold the best. The fourth admonition is the sum of all, and it cometh last, because it is longest in learning; that is, Abstain from all appearance of evil. This is the sum of all, for he which can abstain not only from evil, but from the appearance of evil, is so perfect as a man can be in this sinful life: put all these together, and it is as if Paul should say, Quench not the spirit by despising of prophesying; neither despise prophesying, because all do no prophesy alike: but rather when you hear some preach one way and some another, when you see some follow him, and others follow him, do you try the doctrines by the Scripture, as the men of Beroea did,