Two sermons preached by Master Henry SmithTvvo sermons preached by Master Henry Smith

either impatient of Gods rod, fretting against him that they so heavily feel his fury, and cannot fiercely fulfil their malicious minds, or freely feed on the rest of their fleshly lusts, or impotent in their desire of some false fondly conceived good hoping, with dreadful doubting, by death to better their state, they choose rather to prove the truth of Gods threats, and of the terrors of their trembling minds, then in life to remain any longer, rather abhorring life, then any way truly desiring death. Therefore, in that Simeon duly desired death, that which we heard of Simeon in the beginning is proved true, to wit, that he was just and feared God.

either impatient of Gods rod, fretting against him that they so heauily feele his fury, and cannot fiercely fulfill their malitious minds, or freelie feede on the rest of their fleshly lustes, or impotent in their desire of some false fondly conceiued good hoping, with dreadfull doubting, by death to better their state, they choose rather to prooue the truth of Gods threats, and of the terrors of their trembling minds, then in life to remaine any longer, rather abhorring life, then any way truly desiring death. Therefore, in that Simeon duly desired death, that which we heard of Simeon in the beginning is proued true, to wit, that he was iust and feared God.

For none but the truly religious, none but they that by faith are assured they are before God righteous, can rightly desire death. For who would desire a change but for the better? But all that are ignorant of God, all the unfaithful, what knowledge soever they have, cannot be in better case dead, then they are now in living, though most miserably pained: nay, they cannot be without just fear when they forgo this life, to feel for ever the second death. But the faithful having their consciences quiet, and also joyful in Christ, free from the fear of that death they have deserved, and assured by death to pass to that life which God to all faithful hath promised, earnestly wish to die in fervent love of God, and zeal of his glory, that so they may cease from offending their good God, and never cease magnifying his mercy; showing thereby that they are weary of the service and bondage of Satan and sin, and assured after death to enjoy the true life, most fully glorifying God, and most perfectly pleasing him for ever: and therefore also they desire death, not shortening their life, but waiting his leisure and calling, thereby glorifying God, as in their lives they have done, and sought to do.