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…

As Solomon saith, The knowledge of good things, ¹is understanding: so none but they which are holy have this understanding. He which can say with David,² I love thy law, and I keep thy precepts, may follow with David, I have more understanding than my teachers, and know more then the ancient. ³He which cannot say with David, My heart meditateth a good matter, cannot follow with David, My tongue is the pen of a ready Writer. This is, the equity of God; they which are unwilling ⟨p. 510⟩to obey, are not thought worthy to know: for what should he do with his talent,⁴ which will not use it? He which forbids us to cast pearls before swine, doth stay his own hand from casting knowledge to the ungodly, they may know so much as shall condemn them, but they never know what will save them. When Christ heard Peter say,⁵ Thou art the Son of the living God: Christ answered; Flesh and blood hath not taught thee this; ⁶showing, that carnal men have not this knowledge.⁷ This is the word of which Christ saith, All men do not receive it, It is true, that the Spirit breatheth where it will: ⁸but it will breath upon none but her lovers. Wisdom is like the daughter of God, which he marrieth to none but to him which loves her, and sues for her.⁹ As David could not understand why the wicked prospered until he entered into the sanctuary of GOD; and as Aaron might not enter the Sanctuary where GOD did answer, until he had sanctified himself; so if we will understand mysteries, and hear God himself speak; we must put off our sins,