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

Heretofore, whereas one followed God, a thousand followed Baal; But now Kings and Princes lift up their ⟨image 42⟩heads, desiring Christ to reign with them and in them. Heretofore we made our selves like the wounded man, we were spoiled, we were stripped naked, and we were bathed in our blood, being full of wounds; but now Christ hath furnished us, he hath washed us, he hath clothed us, and we are now become true Israelites: us, which were the vile and wild Olives, he hath grafted upon the true Olive, and planted us in a fruitful soil. And what cause can we show for this, but only mercy? For ¹heretofore we were called foolish, but the Lord hath made us wise according to the wisdom of God in these days by his Spirit: but if ye deserve to be called the foolish Nation again, then ye are most unhappy and most cursed. So now we have heard, that the Lord doth reveal his counsel unto his Prophets, and how the glory of Israel is now revealed to be the light of the Gentiles. And you have the cause why: because the Jews rejected their own salvation. You have heard that the cause was only his mercy and his love, because mercy cannot contain it self within Jerusalem.

Heeretofore, whereas one followed God, a thousand followed Baal; But now Kings and Princes lift vp their ⟨image 42⟩heads, desiring Christ to raigne with them and in them. Heeretofore we made our selues like the wounded man, we were spoiled, we were stript naked, and wee were bathed in our blood, being full of wounds; but now Christ hath furnished vs, he hath washed vs, hee hath cloathed vs, and wee are now become true Israelites: vs, which were the vile and wilde Oliues, hee hath grafted vpon the true Oliue, and planted vs in a fruitfull soile. And what cause can we shew for this, but onely mercie? For ¹heeretofore wee were called foolish, but the Lord hath made vs wise according to the wisdome of God in these dayes by his Spirit: but if yee deserue to bee called the foolish Nation againe, then yee are most vnhappy and most cursed. So now we haue heard, that the Lord doth reueale his counsell vnto his Prophets, and how the glorie of Israel is now reuealed to bee the light of the Gentiles. And you haue the cause why: because the Iewes reiected their owne saluation. You haue heard that the cause was onely his mercy and his loue, because mercy cannot containe it selfe within Ierusalem.