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

Which thou hast prepared.

He was prepared long ago, as it doth most plainly appear, for the virgin which bare him, the place of his birth, the poor estate wherein he was, his miracles, his Apostles, his torments, his cross, his death, his resurrection and ascension into heaven; all these were foreshowed and fore-told long before they came to pass. Therefore some said, Who is this that is so often spoken of by ¹the Prophets? Who is this that can do many miracles that the Scribes and Pharisees cannot do? that can raise the dead, that can cease the winds, that can calm the waters: at whose suffering the earth quaked, the Sun hid his face, darkness came over all: and being dead, rose again by his own power, and ascended into heaven in the sight of a great multitude? How can it be then but it must be known before the face of all people, which was so manifest by dreams, by visions, by oracles, by power; by authority, and every thing? For there was nothing which had not a tongue to speak for God. Every thing was prepared for him before he came to be revealed: he came not in the beginning, nor in the ending: he came not in the ending, that we which come after him might long for his second coming. He came not in the beginning, because that such a Prince as he should have many banners and triumphs before him. He came not in the beginning, because the eyes of faith should not be dazzled in him, and lest they which should live in the latter times, should forget him and his coming ⟨image 38⟩which was so long before, even as you forget that which I have said as soon as you are gone hence. He came not in the beginning, because if he had come before man had sinned, man would have acknowledged no need of a Physician; but when man had sinned and had felt the smart of sin: for when they were cast out of Paradise they ran unto Christ, as the Israelites did to the Serpent. He came not in the beginning, but in the perfect age of the world, to show that he brought with him perfection, perfect joy, perfect peace, perfect wisdom, perfect righteousness, perfect justice, perfect truth, signifying thereby, that not withstanding he came in the perfect age thereof, yet he found all things unperfect.