A12430:249
Two sermons, of Jonahs punishmentTwo sermons, of Ionahs punishment
Two sermons, of Jonahs punishment ; Four sermons preached by Master Henry Smith ; and published by a more perfect copy then heretofore.Two sermons, of Ionahs punishment ; Foure sermons preached by Maister Henry Smith ; and published by a more perfect copie then heretofore.
London: printed by T.D. for Cuthbert Burby, 1607
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
In Martha it appeareth how willing we are to please ourselves in our own conceits, and how ready to conceive amiss of others doings, yea, sometimes to prefer our own defects before the perfections of other men. If David chasten his soul with fasting, it shall be turned to his reproof. If he put on sackcloth, to testify his contrition they 1jest at him, and the drunkards make songs of him. If John Baptist be temperate in his apparel and diet, they will say, 2he hath a devil. If Paul answer discreetly for himself, he shall be charged to be mad with overmuch learning, 3yea, if our Saviour Christ himself frequent the company ⟨image 47⟩of sinners, to reclaim them from sin, they will not stick to call him a friend and companion of Publicans and sinners. Amongst us, if there be any that be more forward in religion then the rest and more diligent to hear the word, as Mary was, there shall not want some or other to censure them at their pleasure, yea, to find fault, and to condemn them for so doing: yet are not the godly to be discouraged herewith, or to desist from their godly exercises: for as the Lord answered for Mary: when she held her peace, so the Lord will defend their cause and take their part against their adversaries. The Lord cannot abide to hear his servants ill spoken of, but is always ready to maintain their right, and to answer for them, He will not suffer Laban to speak an ill word 4to his servant Jacob. And if Aaron and Miriam murmur against Moses, the Lord will punish it with leprosy. What a comfortable thing is this to the godly, that the king of kings will take their parts, and will not suffer them to sustain any wrong? He is a most sure and trusty friend, that will not abide his friends to be back-bitten or ill spoken of, but either he will answer in their defence, or he will find some means to stop their mouths, and restrain the slanderous tongues of their enemies, as sometime he stopped Balaam's passage, when he went to curse Gods people, and caused the dumb beast to speak, and reprove 5