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…

By this we may learn to use all means for the obtaining of Gods blessings, and not to loose any thing which we might have or save for want of pains, for that is sin, as Solomon noteth in the four and twentieth of the Proverbs, when he reproveth the slothful husbandman, because his field brought forth Nettles and Thistles in stead of grapes: not because the ground would not bear grapes, but because the slothful man would ⟨p. 583⟩not set them. Shall God command the earth and all his creatures to increase for us, and shall not we further their increase for our selves? As we increase and multiply our selves, so we are bound to join hand and help, that all creatures may increase and multiply too, or else the Fathers should eat the children's portion, and in time there should be nothing left for them that come after: this regard Noah seemeth to have unto his posterity, and therefore he gave himself unto husbandry, which is commended in him unto this day, and shall be recorded of him, so long as this book is read: whereby we are warned, that he which liveth only to himself, is not to be remembered of them which live after.

By this wee may learne to vse all meanes for the obtayning of Gods blessings, and not to loose any thing which wee might haue or saue for want of paines, for that is sinne, as Salomon noteth in the foure and twentith of the Prouerbes, when he reproueth the slouthfull husbandman, because his fielde brought forth Nettles and This•les in stead of grapes: not because the grounde would not beare grapes, but because the slouthfull man would ⟨p. 583⟩not set them. Shall God commaund the earth and all his creatures to encrease for vs, and shall not wee further their encrease for our selues? As we encrease and multiplie our selues, so wee are bound to ioyne hand and helpe, that all creatures may increase and multiplie too, or els the Fathers should eate the childrens portion, and in time there should bee nothing left for them that come after: this regard Noah seemeth to haue vnto his posteritie, and therefore he gaue himselfe vnto husbandrie, which is commended in him vnto this day, and shall be recorded of him, so long as this booke is read: whereby we are warned, that he which liueth onely to himselfe, is not to bee remembred of them which liue after.