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…

Some do think that Noah planted the first Vineyard, and drunk the first wine, and ⟨p. 584⟩that there was no use of grapes before: which opinion they are led unto, that they might excuse Noah and mitigate his fault, if he did sip too deep of that cup, the strength and operation whereof was not known unto him, nor unto any man before: but it is not like, that the excellent liquor and wholesome juice of the Grape, did lye hid from the world so many hundred years, and no doubt but there were Vines from the beginning, created with other trees: for how could Noah plant a Vineyard, unless he had slips of other Vines, or Grapes that grew before, seeing he did not create fruits, but plant fruits as we do? For this is principally to be noted, that so soon as he had opportunity to do good, he omitted no time, but presently after the flood was gone, and the earth began to dry, he plied it with seeds, and wrought it, till he saw the fruits of his labour. By this we learn to omit no occasion to do good, but whensoever we may do good, to count it sin if we do it not. But if we be so exercised, then all our works shall prosper like the Vineyard of Noah, because the fruit of the Vine doth cheer the countenance and glad the heart of man. Therefore some have gathered upon the planting of this Vineyard, a signification of gladness and thankfulness in Noah for his late ⟨p. 585⟩deliverance, as the Jews by their solemn feasts did celebrate the memorial of some great benefit: but I rather judge, that God would have us see in this example, what men did in those days, and how we are degenerate from our parents, that we may prepare against the fire, as Noah prepared against the water. This is worthy to be noted too, that God did not so regard his husbandry, but that he had an eye to his drunkenness, and speaks of his fault as well as his virtue: whereby we are warned, that though God bless us now while we remember him, yet he will chasten us so soon as we forget him: though we be in good name now, infamy will arise in an hour: though we be rich at this present, poverty may come suddenly: though we be well while we are here, yet we may fall sick before night, even as Noah is praised in one verse, and dispraised in another: even now God commends him for his lowliness, and now discommends him for his drunkenness:

Some doe thinke that Noah planted the first Vineyard, and drunke the first wine, and