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…

Such a schoolmaster is affliction, to teach that, which Prophets and Angels cannot teach. For the Prophet and his dream had told him as much before, yet he could never say, the Lord hath given, before he did see how the Lord had taken: they say a friend is never known before he be lost: so when God fled, then Nebuchadnezzar followed: but when God called, then Nebuchadnezzar contemned; when he hath all things he is unthankful, and when he hath nothing he beginneth to be thankful.

Such a schoolemaster is affliction, to teach that, which Prophets and Angels cannot teach. For the Prophet and his dreame had tolde him as much before, yet he could neuer say, the Lord hath giuen, before he did see how the Lord had taken: they say a friend is neuer knowne before hee bee lost: so when God fled, then Nabuchadnezzar followed: but when God called, then Nabuchadnezzar contemned; when he hath all things he is vnthankfull, and when he hath nothing hee beginneth to be thankefull.

So we must learn Gods love out of his wrath, and spell his goodness out of his justice: therefore we preach judgement unto you, to make you fly unto mercy, we denounce the law against you, to make you love the gospel, we show you hell, to make you seek heaven. ⟨p. 425⟩Because we are all like Pharaoh his sorcerers, though we receive never so much, yet we never say, the finger of GOD hath done this: but when he begins to plague us, then we cry the finger of God hath done this: therefore if we will not be invited, it is good to be compelled: to conclude, he which made Nebuchadnezzar a King when he was like a beast, is he which makes them rich which were poor, and he which makes them free which were bounden, and he which makes them beloved which were hated, and he which makes them wise, which were rude, and he which makes them whole which were sick: they must stay a time, seven days, or seven weeks, or seven months, or seven years, as Nebuchadnezzar did, and when they are ready for it, it will come suddenly, as the Angels came to refresh Christ so soon as he was hungry: yet a little while, a little longer, comfort is on foot, and that goodness which is coming, will come, as the sun which was rising is risen: for as Nebuchadnezzar said, mine honour was restored to me, so I am sure many here may say, my right was restored to me, my liberty was restored to me, my health was restored to me, my good name was restored to me, in less time than Nebuchadnezzars honour was, and what then? Therefore I Nebuchadnezzar, praise,