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…

There be not five foolish Virgins, and five wise, but five for one knock when the door is shut. There be not many Simeons, but many as old as Simeon, which never yet embraced Christ in their hearts. They thought to repent before they were so old, yet now they dote for age, they are not old enough to repent yet. Nay I answer, many Masters of Israel, Mayors, Aldermen, Sheriffs, Justices, Bailiffs, Constables, Gentlemen, know no more what it is to be borne again; than Nicodemus which came by night: line after line, sermon after sermon, and the Black more like himself. All their terms are vacations, all their religion, promises; and all their promises hypocrisies. In stead of catechising their children, as Solomon teacheth them, they catechise them to hunt & hawk, to ride and vault, to ruffle & swear, to game and dance, as they were catechised themselves; least the child should prove better than his father, and then he is qualified like a Gentleman. Is this to seek the kingdom of heaven first, or last, or not at all? Woe to the security, woe to the stubbornness, woe to the drowsiness of this age. The thief cometh ⟨p. 471⟩at midnight, and we sleep till the dawning of the day; we let in satan, before we bid him avoid; we sell our birthright, before it come to our hands; we seek for oil, when our lamps should burn: this day passeth like yesterday, and to morrow we will spend like this day. So he which should have the first fruits, can get no fruits, because we mar the ground before we sow it.

There be not fiue foolish Virgins, and fiue wise, but fiue for one knock when the doore is shut. There bee not many Simeons, but many as old as Simeon, which neuer yet imbraced Christ in their hearts. They thought to repent before they were so olde, yet now they doate for age, they are not olde enough to repent yet. Naye I answere, many Masters of Israell, Maiors, Aldermen, Sheriffes, Iustices, Ba•liffes, Constables, Gentlemen, know no more what it is to be borne againe; than Nicodemus which came by night: line after line, sermon after sermon, and the Black more like himselfe. All their tearms are vacations, all their religion, promises; and all their promises hypocrises. In stead of catechising their children, as Salomon teacheth them, they catechise them to hunt & hawke, to ride and vaute, to ruffle & sweare, to game and daunce, as they were catechised themselues; least the childe should prooue better than his father, and then he is qualified like a Gentleman. Is this to seeke the kingdome of heauen first, or last, or not at all? Woe to the securitie, woe to the stubbornnesse, woe to the drousinesse of this age. The theefe commeth