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…

If Nebuchadnezzars honour came unto him for the honour which he gave to GOD: how long will their honour last, which eat and drink, give and take, set up and pull down, and do all that they do to honour themselves? as Nebuchadnezzar built Babel until that voice came thundering from heaven, Thy kingdom is departed from thee, thy office is departed from thee, thy life is departed from thee. Some have exalted themselves like Nebuchadnezzar, and are not fallen yet: some mounted up have fallen low, and lower, like Balaam, but they are not yet at the ground: they have ruled like beasts, longer ⟨p. 417⟩then Nebuchadnezzar, and yet look not up to heaven, that they may be changed. Thus Nebuchadnezzar is welcome to his throne again.

If Nabuchadnezzars honour came vnto him for the honour which he gaue to GOD: how long will their honour last, which eate and drinke, giue and take, set vp and pull downe, and doe all that they doe to honour themselues? as Nabuchadnezzar built Babel vntill that voyce came thundering from heauen, Thy kingdome is departed from thee, thy office is departed from thee, thy life is departed from thee. Some haue exalted themselues like Nabuchadnezzar, and are not fallen yet: some mounted vp haue fallen low, and lower, like Balaam, but they are not yet at the ground: they haue ruled like beasts, longer ⟨p. 417⟩then Nabuchadnezzar, and yet looke not vp to heauen, that they may bee changed. Thus Nabuchadnezzar is welcome to his throne againe.

Now he hath received grace, let us examine his thankfulness. If you mark how every thing comes in his order, you shall see a marvellous consequence observed both in his Fall & Restitution. When he looked upon his palace, then he waxed proud; when he waxed proud, then God threatened him; when he was threatened, then God banished him; when he was banished, then he lift up his eyes to heaven; when he lift up his eyes to heaven, his understanding came unto him; when his understanding came unto him, then he gave thanks to God: showing us the use of our understanding, why God hath given reason unto men, viz. to serve him and praise him upon earth: as Nebuchadnezzar worshipped God so soon as he came to understanding; so, so soon as we come to years of discretion, and begin to understand, we should begin a new life, and serve him whom all creatures do serve with us, or else our understanding is vain, and we are beasts still: for by this Nebuchadnezzar shows that he had understanding, and was like a man, because he gave praise to God, & was moved in heart to worship him which made him, according to that definition that