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…

He which was counted so righteous, he which believed the threatening, like Lot when the rest mocked, he to whom all the fowls of the air and the beasts of the earth flocked in couples, as they came to Adam He which was reserved to declare the judgements of God, and to begin the world again. Noah the example of sobriety, the example of moderation, is overcome with drink, as if he had never been the man. How easily, how quickly, the just, the wise, the prudent, hath lost his sense, his memory, his reason, as though he had never been the man. And how hard it is to avoid sin, when occasion is at hand, and pleasant opportunity tempteth to sin? It is easier for the bird to go by the net, ⟨p. 588⟩than to break the net: so it is easier for a man to avoid temptations, then to overcome temptations. Therefore God forbade Balaam, not only to curse the people, as Balaac would have him, but he forbade him to go with Balaacs servants, knowing that if he went with them, and saw the pomp of the court, and heard the King himself speak unto him, and felt the tickling reward, it would strain his conscience, and make him doubt whether he should curse or bless. Peter but warming himself at Caiaphas fire, was overcome by a silly damsel to do that which he never thought, even to forswear his Lord God: therefore Daniel would not eat of the Kings meat, least he should be tempted to the Kings will, showing us that there is no way to escape sin, but to avoid occasion. Therefore David prayeth, Turn away mine eyes from vanity: as though his eyes would draw his heart, as the bait tilleth on the hook. Noah thought to drink, he thought not to be drunk: but as he which cometh to the field to sound the Trumpet, is slain as soon as he which cometh to fight: so the same wine distempereth Noah, which hath distempered so many since.

Hee which was counted so righteous, hee which beleeued the threatning, like Lot when the rest mocked, he to whom al the foules of the ayre and the beastes of the earth flocked in couples, as they came to Adam He which was reserued to declare the iudgemēts of God, and to begin the world againe. Noah the example of sobrietie, the example of moderation, is ouercome with drinke, as if hee had neuer been the man. How easily, how quic•ly, the iust, the wise, the prudent, hath lost his sence, his memorie, his reason, as though he had neuer been the man. And how hard it is to auoyd sinne, when occasion is at hand, and pleasant opportunitie tempteth to sinne? It is easier for the bird to go by the net,