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

For, &c. Because the holy Ghost by inspiration had declared unto him that he should not die, till he had leene Jesus Christ, therefore the same spirit led him to the Temple, and showed that which it promised and having seen the same, he desired and wished to die, and be released from this earthly prison, that he might •ive with God. As idle and evil wishes are vain, because they are not according to faith, not grounded upon the word of God, so though we ask as cunningly as Jacob, and as earnestly as the sons of Zebedee, yet if we ask ¹not in saith according to knowledge, we cannot obtain. But we should ask so that we may receive, that we may not return empty. Therefore the ground whereon Simeon settled himself to wish for death, was, that he had received a promise of God, that he should be delivered from this miserable life, when he had once seen the light of the Gentiles, the Christ: and now he had ⟨image 31⟩seen his Saviour, and embraced the true Messiah, which was promised by the Father, figured by the law, spoken of by the Prophets, foretold by the Fathers, and pointed at by John Baptist. For thus he reasoneth; Now that I see thy salvation according to thy word, and therefore the condition is now performed, let thy promise also be fulfilled: Now let thy servant depart, &c. For mine eyes, &c.

For, &c. Because the holy Ghost by inspiration had dedeclared vnto him that he should not die, till hee had leene Iesus Christ, therefore the same spirit led him to the Temple, and shewed that which it promised and hauing seene the same, he desired and wished to die, and be released from this earthly prison, that he might •iue with God. As id•e and euill wishes are vaine, because they are not according to faith, not grounded vpon the word of God, so though we aske as cunningly as Iacob, and as earnestly as the sonnes of Zebede, yet if wee aske ¹not in saith according to knowledge, we cannot obtaine. But wee should aske so that we may receiue, that we may not returne empty. Therfore the ground whereon Simeon setled himselfe to wish for death, was, that hee had receiued a promise of God, that he should be deliuered from this miserable life, when hee had once seene the light of the Gentiles, the Christ: and now hee had