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…

As Daniel observed the time when Nebuchadnezzar sinned, so he observeth the time when Nebuchadnezzar is punished: as if God had lien in wait to catch him in his words, and take him at the trip, even as he watched Lots wife when she looked back, and transformed her into a pillar of of salt, so soon as she looked behind her: So now the Lord lay as it were in the scout, to watch when Nebuchadnezzar spake treason, and to apprehend him upon it, O Nebuchadnezzar thou hast vaunted these twelve months since I warned thee, and I made as though I heard not, but suffered thee to do and speak thy pleasure, and vauntest thou still? Surely thou shalt escape me no longer, I will not hear a word more against mine honour. So he cut him off while the words were in his mouth, and propoundeth the words of judgement against him. If you mark the time when the voice spake from heaven, you may see three wisdoms of God. First God takes him in his fault,¹ that he might see his fault, as Jeroboam was stricken when he stroke the Prophet, that he might know why he was stricken. Then he takes him suddenly, because he contemneth his warning,² as the fire came upon Sodom while they contemned Lots warning. Thirdly, God takes him where he is pleasantest and lustiest, and safest, in his palace, which was ⟨p. 390⟩like a Castle,³ as he took Herod when his guard stood by him, that he might see that nothing can guard him from God, but God must guard him from danger, or else Princes be no safer than subjects: so though a man sin often, and steal his sins as it were without punishment, yet at the last he is took napping, while the wickedness is in his hand; as the Jews were, while the quails were in their mouths, and his day is set when he shall pay for all,⁴ whether it be after 12. months, or 12. years, whensoever it cometh it will seem too soon. Vengeance doth stay till sin be ripe, & watch the time when they are most occupied, then judgement steps forth, like the Angel to stop Balaam in his way,⁵