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…

Saint Peter teaching every man his duty, how one should behave himself to another, exhorteth all men to be humble & abstain from pride: as though Humility were the bond of all duties, like a list which holdeth men in a compass, & pride were the makebate over all the world: to which Solomon giveth witness, Prou. 13. 10. saying, Only by pride man maketh contention: because pride maketh every one think better of himself then of others, whereby he scorneth to give place to the other, and therefore when neither ⟨p. 428⟩party will yield as Abraham did to Lot, how should there be any peace?¹ Thus pride doth break the peace, and humility doth set it again: therefore to toll men from pride to humility, as it were from the concubine to the right wife, the Apostle showeth how God is affected to pride, and what mind he beareth to humility: God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble: as if he should whisper men in the ears & say, take heed how you company with pride, or give entertainment to her, for she is not Caesars friend, the king counteth her his enemy, & all that take her part: she hath been suspected ever since the Angels rebelled in heaven,² and Adam sought to be equal with God. therefore his majesty hath a stitch against her, as Solomon had to Shimei, & would not have her favourites come in his court,³ unless they hold down their mace, stoop when they enter. But if you can get in with humility, and wear the colours of lowliness, then you may go boldly, and stand in the Kings sight, and step to his chamber of presence, and put up your petitions, and come to honour. For humility is very gracious with him, and so near of his counsel, that as David and Solomon say,⁴ he committeth all his secrets to her. This is Peters meaning,⁵ that the humble shall find grace with God and men: as we read ⟨p. 429⟩