A73175:140
Six sermons preachedSixe sermons preached
Six sermons preached by Master Henry Smith at Clement Danes Church without Temple bar. With two prayers of the same author hereunto annexed.Sixe sermons preached by Maister Henry Smith at Clement Danes Church without Temple barre. VVith tvvo prayers of the same author hereunto annexed.
London: printed by Richard for Robert Dexter, 1592
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.
And furthermore, the Lord hath not at any time revealed unto one of these, all things that might be revealed, but as much as was sufficient for them every one in their times and places. Neither hath any of them told as much of the will of God as might be, nor the expounding of his laws. But the Patriarchs have left some to the Prophets, and the Prophets have left some to the Apostles, but they have left none for us, but they have all left open the whole will of GOD unto us, and every one bringeth Gold, and Myrrh, and Frankincense, like the wise men which came to see our Lord.
And furthermore, the Lord hath not at any time reuealed vnto one of these, all things that might be reuealed, but as much as was sufficient for them euerie one in their times and places. Neither hath any of them told as much of the will of God as might be, nor the expounding of his lawes. But the Patriarkes haue left some to the Prophets, and the Prophets haue left some to the Apostles, but they haue left none for vs, but they haue all left open the whole will of GOD vnto vs, and euerie one bringeth Golde, and Myrrhe, and Frankensense, like the wise men which came to see our Lord.
There are three things which moved me to take this story in hand above all others. First because you know the story, and therefore ⟨p. 80⟩can the better conceive of the matter as I go forward with it. Secondly because it is brief and doth contain a great deal in a little. Thirdly, because it is most agreeable for the time and state of this sinful age wherein we live, and therefore most convenient for us. It is manifest that Jonah lived in a very troublesome time, namely in the time of Jeroboam a wicked king, of whom it was said, that he not only sinned himself against the Lord, but it is he which is called the Jeroboam that made Israel to sin. Also this commendeth the constancy of Jonah, that he in the midst of all the corruptions wherewith all the people were overflown, kept him self uncorrupted and unspotted amongst them all. And furthermore it layeth open and magnifieth the great love of God, in that he sent a Prophet to admonish his ungodly people, when as he should have sent a thunderbolt to terrify them, or rather utterly to destroy them: so that there mercy stepped before judgment.