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 last thing which makes Prophets and prophesying despised, is the diversity of minds, while one holdeth one way, and another another way, some leave all, and will be of no Religion, until both parties agree: as if a patient should pine himself and eat no meat at all, because one Physician saith, that this meat will hurt him, and another saith, that meat will hurt him. These are the three enemies, which make us and our labours despised.

The last thing which makes Prophets and prophecying despised, is the diuersity of minds, while one holdeth one way, and another another way, some leaue all, and will be of no Religion, vntill both parties agree: as if a patient should pine himselfe and eate no meate at all, because one Phisition sayth, that this meate will hurt him, and another sayth, that meate will hurt him. These are the three enemies, which make vs and our labours despised.

Now what shall we answer to our despisers? Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy! (saith the Church) for I shall be raised: ¹so, Despise not the Prophets, O ye Ishmaelites, for they shall be honoured.² Peter saith to Ananias and Sapphira, You have not lied unto men, but unto God: so, you have not despised man but God;³ for Christ saith, He which despiseth you, despiseth me. When Satan slew Jobs servants, his malice was against Job:⁴ so, when you despise Gods servants, your presumption is against God;⁵ for That which you do unto them (saith Christ) you do unto me. Why then if they despise Christ, Christ will despise them, for he told Saul that he spurned against the prick; that is, he spurned against that which would spurn against him. Therefore, if you give unto Christ when you give unto the