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…

Solomon finds man seeking happiness out of the way, as Esau hunted long for a blessing, and yet went without it: he pities to see him seek and not find, to run and not obtain: therefore he setteth him in the way like a guide sent from heaven, which often had strayed himself before, and being now recovered to his right way, stands like a mark of knowledge in the turnings that lead unto blind by-ways, to direct all those that pass by, that they may follow the ready path that leadeth to eternal happiness.

Salomon findes man seeking happinesse out of the way, as Esau hunted long for a blessing, and yet went without it: he pities to see him seeke and not finde, to runne and not obtaine: therefore he setteth him in the way like a guide sent from heauen, which often had strayed himselfe before, and being now recouered to his right way, stands like a mark of knowledge in the turnings that leade vnto blinde by-waies, to direct all those that passe by, that they may followe the readie path that leadeth to eternall happinesse.

And because the Traveller marcheth cheerfully, which knoweth his way before he setteth forth: therefore from the first setting forth, even from the time of youth, when a man beginneth to run his pilgrimage, Solomon tells him how he shall therein prepare himself to walk, and sets him in a fair high way, wherein is no turning either to the right hand or the left, which he calleth, the remembrance of GOD. As if he should say, Walk with God as Enoch did, and remember well, that he which shall be thy Judge, doth see all that thou doest, and heareth thee at every word: and this thought shall keep thee in the way at all times, like the cloud and pillar ⟨p. 454⟩of fire which went before the Children of Israel aswell by day as night, when they travailed in the wilderness.

And because the Trauailour marcheth cheerefully, which knoweth his way before he setteth foorth: therefore from the first setting forth, euen from the time of youth, when a man beginneth to runne his pilgrimage, Salomon tels him how he shall therein prepare himselfe to walke, and sets him in a faire high way, wherein is no turning either to the right hand or the left, which he calleth, the remembrance of GOD. As if he should say, Walke with God as Enoch did, and remember well, that he which shall be thy Iudge, doth see all that thou doest, and heareth thee at euerie worde: and this thought shall keepe thee in the way at all times, like the clowde and piller