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…

this Realm is not so much beholding ⟨p. 579⟩to any sort of men (but those that feed the soul) as those which feed the body, that is, those that labour the earth: yet you see how they live like drudges, as though they were your servants to provide food for you, and after to bring it to your doors: as the beasts serve them, so they serve you; as though you were another kind of men. I cannot think upon their misery, but my thoughts tells me, that it is a great part of our unthankfulness, that we never consider what an easy life and living God hath given unto us in respect of them. If the Apostles rule were kept, they which do not work should not eat: but now they which do not work eat most: and the husband-men which work eat not, but are like Bees, which prepare food for other and pine themselves. Let us consider this, for they had not one law and we another, but the same curse which was denounced upon Adam, was denounced upon all his children, that every man should get his living in the sweat of his brows. Although I know there be divers works, and divers gifts, and divers callings to work in; yet always provided, they which do not work should not eat, for in the sweat of thy brows, that is, in labour and travel, thou king, and thou Judge, and thou Prelate, and thou Land-lord, and thou Gentleman, shalt get thy living ⟨p. 580⟩as Adam thy Father did: or else thou doest avoid the curse, and a greater curse shall follow; that is, they which will not sweat in earth, shall sweat in hell.

this Realme is not so much beholding ⟨p. 579⟩to any sorte of men (but those that feede the soule) as those which feede the body, that is, those that labour the earth: yet you see how they liue like drudges, as though they were your seruants to prouide foode for you, and after to bring it to your doores: as the beasts serue them, so they serue you; as though you were another kinde of men. I cannot thinke vpon their miserie, but my thoughts tels me, that it is a great part of our vnthankfulnesse, that we neuer consider what an easie life and liuing God hath giuen vnto vs in respect of them. If the Apostles rule were kept, they which doe not worke should not eate: but now they which do not work eate most: and the husband-men which worke eate not, but are like Bees, which prepare foode for other and pyne themselues. Let vs consider this, for they had not one lawe and wee another, but the same curse which was denounced vpon Adam, was denounced vpon all his children, that euery man should get his liuing in the sweat of his browes. Although I knowe there bee diuers workes, and diuers gifts, and diuers callings to worke in; yet alwayes prouided, they which doe not worke should not eat, for in the sweat of thy browes, that is, in labor and trauel, thou king, and thou Iudge, and thou Prelate, and thou Land-lord, and thou Gentleman, shalt gette thy liuing