Two sermons preached by Master Henry SmithTvvo sermons preached by Master Henry Smith
Two sermons preached by Master Henry Smith: with a prayer for the morning thereunto adjoined. And published by a more perfect copy then heretoforeTvvo sermons preached by Master Henry Smith: with a prayer for the morning thereunto adioyned. And published by a more perfect copy then heeretofore
Henry Smith 1550?–1591London: printed by William Hall for William Leake, 1610
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.
I have somewhat to say to you of this parish: A dainty was prepared for you, and you let the strangers take it from you; you were required to a fast, and you did feast your selves; you were required to come & pray unto the ⟨image 33⟩Lord, and to humble your selves in his sight, that he may turn away his wrath from you, and you let the Temple stand open, and empty, for your parts, and your shops were as open & you were about your merchandise, forsaking God, and seeking to win the unjust Mammon, and the vanities of the world.
I haue somwhat to say to you of this parish: A dainty was prepared for you, and you let the strangers take it from you; you were required to a fast, and you did feast your selues; you were required to come & pray vnto the ⟨image 33⟩Lord, and to humble your selues in his sight, that he may turne away his wrath from you, and you let the Temple stand open, and empty, for your parts, and your shoppes were as open & you were about your merchandize, forsaking God, and seeking to winne the vniust Mammon, and the vanities of the world.
He came not by Angels, or by men, or by any other means, but only from the alone and eternal God. He 1calleth him thy salvation, for his name was not given him by Joseph, nor by Mary, but by the Angel of God, 2
signifying that he was come from heaven. The Father saw him when he was borne, the spirit came upon him when he was baptized, the Angels ministered unto him in the wilderness, his enemies subscribed unto him upon the Cross, the Virgin travailed, the star walked, the Wisemen came out of far Countries to worship him. Then is not this Jehovah the mighty God, whose birth is glorious, whose life is famous, which death is meritorious? None can take upon him the authority of God, but he, on whose shoulders the Lord layeth it, being sent of God, and from God. Then we see that our Saviour is the true Saviour sent from God, for all creatures bear witness unto him, yea the very devils, with all the evils spirits do obey his voice at whose name all knees
shall bow. He came not to bring health, wealth, pleasures or profits, for the which if he had, then multitudes of worldlings would have followed him; but he came to bring salvation, righteousness, peace, truth, and life,
for those only that were given unto him. So soon as the seed is sown, the stones refuse it, or the Sun parcheth it, or the thorns choke it, and what comfort
⟨image 34⟩
hath the Lillie among thorns? Therefore wisdom taketh her unto her wings, and whispereth saying, you shall seek
me before I come, you shall seek me, but shall not find me, because ye have refused me when I offered my self to you.
He came not by Angels, or by men, or by any other meanes, but onely from the alone and eternall God. He 1calleth him thy saluation, for his name was not giuen him by Ioseph, nor by Marie, but by the Angell of God, 2signifying that he was come from heauen. The Father saw him when he was borne, the spirit came vppon him when he was baptized, the Angels ministred vnto him in the wildernes, his enemies subscribed vnto him vpon the Crosse, the Virgin trauailed, the starre walked, the Wisemen came out of farre Countries to worship him. Then is not this Iehouah the mighty God, whose birth is glorious, whose life is famous, which death is meritorious? None can take vpon him the authoritie of God, but he, on whose shoulders the Lord layeth it, beeing sent of God, and from God. Then we see that our Sauiour is the true Sauiour sent from God, for all creatures beare witnesse vnto him, yea the very diuels, with all the euils spirits doe obey his voyce at whose name all knees 3shall bow. He came not to bring health, wealth, pleasures or profits, for the which if he had, then multitudes of worldlings would haue followed him; but hee came to bring saluation, righteousnes, peace, truth, and life, 4therefore few care for him. Hee came to saue sinners, not all sinners, not euery one that sayeth Lord, Lord, 5but he came to saue penitent sinners, which turne vnto God by their repentance. Therefore he praieth in Iohn 6for those onely that were giuen vnto him. So soone as the seede is sowne, the stones refuse it, or the Sunne parcheth it, or the thornes choake it, and what comfort ⟨image 34⟩hath the Lillie among thornes? Therfore wisedom taketh her vnto her wings, and whispereth saying, you shall seek 7me before I come, you shall seeke me, but shall not find me, because ye haue refused me when I offred my selfe to you.
Christ is their salvation that believe in him, and make much of him, and thankfully receive him. The godly he delivereth from sin, but the wicked he leaveth bound in the chains of their iniquity, to be tormented of him which had tempted them thereunto, whose will they always endeavoured to fulfil, and not the Lords; and he showeth them a hand upon the wall writing writing their condemnation, and another catching them by the hairy scalp 1which maketh all their joints to tremble, and their harts to despair, and he saith unto them; What dost thou here without thy wedding garment? How darest thou come to steal the children's bread? The Spirit of Saul worketh 2in him, in his bed, and every where, and he calleth for the Harp of David to comfort his heart which cannot be comforted. And this spirit saith to Judas; Thou hast betrayed the Lord, and crucified him, therefore go 3and hang thy self: for even at the preaching of salvation, the horror of damnation, the mark of Cain sticketh within thee whosoever believest not in Gods salvation. But the godly heart goeth home, having embraced this 4salvation, chewing the cud, and rejoicing like the Apostles, which rejoiced in that they were counted worthy to suffer for his names sake: and they say, O what a good 5banquet we have had this day! what delicious dainties hath God feasted us with! and so the Bee goeth loaden to the hive, and goeth longer in the strength thereof then 6Elijah did.
Christ is their saluation that beleeue in him, and make much of him, and thankfully receiue him. The godly he deliuereth from sinne, but the wicked he leaueth bound in the chaines of their iniquity, to be tormented of him which had tempted them thereunto, whose will they alwaies endeuoured to fulfill, and not the Lords; and hee sheweth them a hand vpon the wall writing writing their condemnation, and another catching them by the hairy scalp 1which maketh all their ioynts to tremble, and their harts to despair, and he saith vnto them; What dost thou heere without thy wedding garment? How darest thou come to steale the childrens bread? The Spirit of Saul worketh 2in him, in his bed, and euery where, and he calleth for the Harpe of Dauid to comfort his heart which cannot be comforted. And this spirit saith to Iudas; Thou hast betraied the Lord, and crucified him, therefore goe 3and hang thy selfe: for euen at the preaching of saluation, the horrour of damnation, the marke of Caine sticketh within thee whosoeuer beleeuest not in Gods saluation. But the godly heart goeth home, hauing embraced this 4saluation, chewing the cud, and reioycing like the Apostles, which reioyced in that they were counted worthy to suffer for his names sake: and they say, O what a good 5banquet we haue had this day! what delicious dainties hath God feasted vs with! and so the Bee goeth loaden to the hiue, and goeth longer in the strength thereof then 6Elias did.
The only Saviour is here called salvation it self: for if he were called a bare Saviour only, then you might likely understand by some other Saviour; but here is ⟨image 34⟩he is called salvation it self, to show that there is no other. For there be more Saviours, but no more salvations, as there be many ways to death, and yet but one death. The brazen Serpent was a figure of Christ, that they which are stung by sin, by fire, and by the Serpent which 1beguiled Eve, may make speed, because there is no remedy but to come to Christ.
The onely Sauiour is heere called saluation it selfe: for if he were called a bare Sauiour only, then you might likely vnderstand by some other Sauiour; but heere is ⟨image 34⟩he is called saluation it selfe, to shew that there is no other. For there be more Sauiours, but no more saluations, as there be many waies to death, and yet but one death. The brasen Serpent was a figure of Christ, that they which are stung by sin, by fire, and by the Serpent which 1beguiled Euah, may make speed, because there is no remedy but to come to Christ.
The Papists have found out many salvations, they have found out a salvation by Saints, a salvation by Angels, a salvation by masses, a salvation by merits, a salvation by Idols, as though Christ had least to do in his own office, for they have other salvations to flee unto: They will have it, but they will buy it, and what will they give for it? Why, they will fast so many days, go so far on pilgrimages, hire Priests to say so many Masses, build so many Abbeys, and give so many sums of Money to the Monks and Friars. Therefore the Scripture goeth against them, and dishonours their shamelessness, who (like Nimrod, that heaping stone upon stone, would have built up to heaven) heap sin upon sin, and every 1hour, some one heresy or superstition groweth up from this filthy root.
The Papists haue found out many saluations, they haue found out a saluation by Saints, a saluation by Angels, a saluation by masses, a saluation by merits, a saluation by Idols, as though Christ had least to doe in his own office, for they haue other saluations to flee vnto: They will haue it, but they will buy it, and what will they giue for it? Why, they will fast so many daies, goe so far on pilgrimages, hire Priests to say so many Masses, build so many Abbies, and giue so many summes of Money to the Monks and Friers. Therefore the Scripture goeth against them, and dishonours their shamelesnesse, who (like Nimrod, that heaping stone vpon stone, would haue built vp to heauen) heape sinne vpon sinne, and euerie 1houre, some one heresie or superstition groweth vp from this filthy roote.
For what Papist dare say, that Simeon thought on any of these, or put confidence in any other Saviour, but only 1in him whom he embraced in his arms? For salvation is by the promise of God, and all promises are in Christ. And though Jacob wanted bread, Joseph wanted not money, therefore he gave them back again their money, and likewise he gave them that corn that they would have bought with it. I would wish them therefore to say as Josephs brethren did, that they have their corn for nothing, and their money too: let them I say be content and rejoice, to say, that they have mercy for nothing, and their works too. For God cannot be won by mens works, because they profit not him, but themselves.
For what Papist dare say, that Simeon thought on any of these, or put confidence in any other Sauiour, but only 1in him whom he embraced in his armes? For saluation is by the promise of God, and all promises are in Christ. And though Iacob wanted bread, Ioseph wanted not mony, therefore he gaue them backe again their money, and likewise he gaue them that corne that they would haue bought with it. I would wish them therefore to say as Iosephs brethren did, that they haue their corne for nothing, and their mony too: let them I say be content and reioyce, to say, that they haue mercy for nothing, and their works too. For God cannot be wonne by mens works, because they profit not him, but themselues.
There is no water can wash Naaman but Jordan, no water can wash the leprosy of sin, but the blood of 1the Lamb. By this the Israelites were saved when the destroyer passed by. By this the Lord knoweth us to be 2his people: and by this the devil knoweth us to be none of his. As it is proper unto God to be called goodness, so is it proper unto Jesus Christ to be called salvation. He is also called the way, the truth, and the life: for that life 3which we have, is but a spark and shadow of life, but he is the true and eternal life.
There is no water can wash Naaman but Iordan, no water can wash the leprosie of sinne, but the blood of 1the Lambe. By this the Israelites were saued when the destroyer passed by. By this the Lord knoweth vs to bee 2his people: and by this the diuell knoweth vs to be none of his. As it is proper vnto God to be called goodnesse, so is it proper vnto Iesus Christ to be called saluation. He is also called the way, the truth, and the life: for that life 3which wee haue, is but a sparke and shadow of life, but he is the true and eternall life.
Then seeing Christ is both our righteousness, salvation; and also the way, the trueth, and the life, to lead us thereunto: it is as possible for us without Christ to be justified or glorified, as it is to be wise without wisdom, righteous without righteousness, or saved without salvation. Therefore let us not be ashamed to take our water from the fountain, seeing Christ is the fountain of all wisdom, of all righteousness, of all truth, of all knowledge, of all salvation, and briefly of all goodness: for there is no other Ark to save us from the flood, no other ladder to ascend with into heaven, no other Joseph to feed us in the famine, no other Moses to lead us through the wilderness.
Then seeing Christ is both our righteousnesse, saluation; and also the way, the trueth, and the life, to leade vs thereunto: it is as possible for vs without Christ to be iustified or glorified, as it is to be wise without wisedome, righteous without righteousnes, or saued without saluation. Therefore let vs not be ashamed to take our water from the fountaine, seeing Christ is the fountaine of all wisedome, of all righteousnesse, of all truth, of all knowledge, of all saluation, and briefly of all goodnesse: for there is no other Arke to saue vs from the floud, no other ladder to ascend with into heauen, no other Ioseph to feede vs in the famine, no other Moses to lead vs through the wildernes.
But as the river Siloa runneth through all the land of Judea, and watereth the whole City of God: so Christ 1doth show himself all in all, & all-sufficient in mercy to save and bless all his Church with spiritual gifts. If Christ be salvation, what shall make us despair? Shall Satan? No, for he hath overcome Satan. Shall death? No, for he hath overcome death. Shall hell? No, for he hath overcome hell. Shall the Law? No, for he hath fulfilled 2the Law. Shall wrath? No, for he hath trodden the wine-press of his Fathers wrath. Therefore it was a sweet saying of one at his death: When mine iniquity is greater then thy mercy, O God, then will I fear and despair.
But as the riuer Siloa runneth through all the land of Iudea, and watereth the whole Citie of God: so Christ 1doth shew himselfe all in all, & all-sufficient in mercy to saue and blesse all his Church with spirituall gifts. If Christ be saluation, what shall make vs despaire? Shall Sathan? No, for he hath ouercome Sathan. Shall death? No, for he hath ouercome death. Shall hell? No, for he hath ouercome hell. Shall the Law? No, for he hath fulfilled 2the Law. Shall wrath? No, for he hath troden the wine-presse of his Fathers wrath. Therefore it was a sweet saying of one at his death: VVhen mine iniquity is greater then thy mercy, O God, then will I feare and despaire.
Salvation is borne, therefore we were all in the state of condemnation before: light is come, therefore we sate all in darkens before: glory is come, therefore we were all loaden with shame before: life is come, to show that we were all dead in sin before. Life is come, and light and salvation: life to the dead, light to the blind, and salvation to the damned. For Christ is called salvation, to show that without him, we are all damned fire-brands of hell, heirs of condemnation, and forsaken of God. To him that is sick, it is easy to be thankful when he is whole, but when he is whole, it is harder to be thankful then to be sick. I would fain be disproved, that Nineveh might be saved, though Jonah would not.
Saluation is borne, therefore we were all in the state of condemnation before: light is come, therefore we sate all in darkens before: glory is come, therefore we were all loaden with shame before: life is come, to shew that we were all dead in sinne before. Life is come, and light and saluation: life to the dead, light to the blind, and saluation to the damned. For Christ is called saluation, to shew that without him, we are all damned fire-brands of hel, heires of condemnation, and forsaken of God. To him that is sicke, it is easie to bee thankfull when hee is whole, but when he is whole, it is harder to be thankfull then to be sicke. I would faine be disproued, that Niniuch might be saued, though Ionah would not.
This word salvation is a sweet word, yea the sweetest word in all the scripture, and yet many despise this worthy jewel, because they know not what it is worth, like the daws, which would rather have a barley corn, then a pearl or a jewel, because they know not the value thereof.
This word saluation is a sweet word, yea the sweetest word in all the scripture, and yet many despise this worthy iewell, because they know not what it is worth, like the dawes, which would rather haue a barly corne, then a pearle or a iewell, because they know not the value thereof.
O Lord what is man that thou art so mindful of him! O man, what is God that thou art so unmindful of him! 1If a friend had given us any thing, we would have thanked him heartily for it, but to him that hath given us all things, we will not give so much as thanks. Now therefore let the rock gush out water again, and let our stony hearts pour forth streams of tears in unfeigned repentance. We have all called upon you, but none regardeth us, as though God were as Baal, and as though Dives felt no pain, nor Lazarus joy, but all were forgotten. Many times Christ cometh into the Temple, and there is scarce a Simeon to embrace him, the babe is here, but where is Simeon?
O Lord what is man that thou art so mindfull of him! O man, what is God that thou art so vnmindfull of him! 1If a friend had giuen vs any thing, we would haue thanked him heartily for it, but to him that hath giuen vs all things, we will not giue so much as thanks. Now therefore let the rocke gush out water againe, and let our stony hearts powre forth streames of teares in vnfained repentance. We haue all called vpon you, but none regardeth vs, as though God were as Baal, and as though Diues felt no paine, nor Lazarus ioy, but all were forgotten. Many times Christ commeth into the Temple, and there is scarce a Simeon to embrace him, the babe is here, but where is Simeon?
If God had not loved us better then we loved our selves, we should have perished long ere this, and yet we embrace not Christ as Simeon, who hath saved us ⟨image 36⟩from temporal and spiritual punishment. We are invited to a banquet, he who calleth us to it, is God. What is the banquet? Salvation. Who are the guests? The Angels and the Saints. What is the fare? Joy, peace, righteousness; this is the fare, and we invite you every one: yet who will come at our bidding? some for want of faith, some for want of love, some for want of knowledge, have despised this holy banquet; yet unto this art thou called still, O soul unworthy to be beloved.
If God had not loued vs better then we loued our selues, we should haue perished long ere this, and yet we embrace not Christ as Simeon, who hath saued vs ⟨image 36⟩from temporall and spirituall punishment. Wee are inuited to a banquet, he who calleth vs to it, is God. What is the banquet? Saluation. VVho are the guests? The Angels and the Saints. What is the fare? Ioy, peace, righteousnesse; this is the fare, and we inuite you euerie one: yet who will come at our bidding? some for want of faith, some for want of loue, some for wnat of knowledge, haue despised this holy banquet; yet vnto this art thou called still, O soule vnworthy to be beloued.
