B15838:251
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.
What shall we do then when the Sun shineth? 1We must not do as we do in the dark, for then men ought to betake them to their labour. Learn of the savage beasts who as soon as the day springs, betake them to their travel, and every bird welcometh it with many a sweet song. Christ is light, and this light is come: therefore he that seeth not now is blind. Are not they then blind which yet see not that prayer for the dead is vain, needless, and bootless? But thick darkness have a mighty light to chase it away. So that he which beginneth to root out some error or superstition, at the first shall have much ado, for custom and natural corruption are the first causers of heresy, and shall cry ⟨image 47⟩against her in the maintenance thereof: and withstanders of reformation shall say, Great is Diana of Ephesus: and so for a long time they seem to wash the Ethiopian, or the black Moore, the more they wash him the more they gall him, and yet he is an Ethiopian still: but in the end the Ark standeth, and Dagon falleth down: and truth triumpheth over falsehood, having got the victory; and light chaseth away darkness with the brightness thereof. Why 2then doth this darkness continue amongst us still? To him that asketh, what Scripture have you against it? it is sufficient to answer, what Scripture have you for it? For if the word command it not, God rejecteth it, and will say, who hath required these things at your hands? But what is this? for every idle word you must give account, as our Saviour Jesus Christ saith, Matth. 12. And whatsoever is not of faith is sin, Rom. 14. 23. They ask, what, shall we not say God be with them? Why should you? Why (say they) must we say nothing? What if thou do not? What sayest thou, when thou mentionest the death of thy first fathers, Adam, Seth, Enos, Enoch, Noah? Doest thou less love these, not praying for them, then thou doest them for whom thou sayest, God be with them? &c.
What shall wee doe then when the Sunne shineth? 1