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…

But by this you plainly discern, how hard and difficult a thing it is to hit upon a right word or a good work, which hath not a good thought to bring it forth. Therefore make the root sweet, or the fruit will be sower, counterfeit as cunningly as you can.

But by this you plainely discerne, how hard and difficult a thing it is to hit vpon a right word or a good worke, which hath not a good thought to bring it foorth. Therefore make the roote sweete, or the fruite will bee sower, counterfaite as cunningly as you can.

Lastly, when he putteth in for the honour of my majesty, he showeth that he was of Absaloms humour, who although he had deserved shame, yet he would have fame, because he had no children to keep his name in remembrance, therefore he erected a pillar, which he called Absaloms place: so many stately houses and places in England, bear their names of those Lords or others ⟨p. 371⟩that do possess or owe them, for the like vanity.

Lastly, when he putteth in for the honour of my maiestie, hee sheweth that he was of Absoloms humour, who although he had deserued shame, yet he would haue fame, because hee had no children to keepe his name in remembrance, therefore he erected a piller, which hee called Absoloms place: so many stately houses and places in England, beare their names of those Lords or others ⟨p. 371⟩that do possesse or owe them, for the like vanitie.

Here Absalom thought to be buried, as Nebuchadnezzar thought to dwell in his palace, but he was cast into a pit as Nebuchadnezzar was turned into the wilderness: So Shebna made his sepulchre in one Country, and was buried in another: for why should pride have the reward of humility? Humility (saith Solomon) goeth before honour, that is to say, honour is the reward of humility: & yet Nebuchadnezzar would be honoured for his pride. What had he, or Shebna, or Absalom done, that they should erect such monuments, to be praised after death, which were not worthy to be praised in their life? before the building Nebuchadnezzar had done nothing worth speaking of, for because he lived always like a beast, therefore GOD punished him like a beast, and did he deserve now to be spoken of in all ages, for heaping stones together? We may see that great men are proud of a small matter, and they look to be praised for every thing they do. But look how GOD overthwarteth them: for oftentimes in that they look to make their greatest glory, they shame themselves most of all, and that which they practise to exalt them doth disgrace them, & that which they