B15838:211
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
London: 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.
The Lord came not in the beginning, nor in the ending, but he came in the middle age of the world, to show, that if it will not learn now, it will never learn 1to come unto God by repentance and amendment, that they may learn to kiss the Son lest he be angry, and so they perish in his wrath like Sodom. He came in the middle age of the world to show that he was indifferent for the world to give light and life unto all that return 2unto him. For God respecteth no persons, but every man of what nation or Country soever he be that feareth God and worketh righteousness, is accepted of him, and he will fufill their joys through Christ, yet not when we will, but according to his own good pleasure and when he thinketh good. Therefore stay Elijah, anon 3the Ravens will bring thee meat, and thou shalt have enough. Anon Moses will deliver Israel. So salvation is already prepared of God, and hath been long since with fullness of knowledge, and all excellent gifts, and he will give them to us when he seeth good. But we are ⟨image 39⟩like whining children, that will not stay until their milk be cold, but would have it though they be scalded with it: so we would have the knowledge of God and liberty before we know how to use it. We would know the high mysteries and deep counsels of God, before we know our selves; we would have the liberty of the Gospel, when we know no way how to use it but in security. But the Lord, he will wisely give unto us as it were our bellies full when he seeth it good, and when he seeth us ready for it, who knoweth our hearts better then we our selves.
The Lord came not in the beginning, nor in the ending, but he came in the middle age of the world, to shew, that if it will not learne now, it will neuer learne 1to come vnto God by repentance and amendment, that they may learne to kisse the sonne lest hee be angry, and so they perish in his wrath like Sodome. Hee came in the middle age of the world to shew that he was indifferent for the world to giue light and life vnto all that returne