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

And furthermore, the Lord hath not at any time revealed unto one of these, all things that might be revealed, but as much as sufficient for them every one in their times and places. Neither hath any of them told as much of the will of God as might be declared; nor fully expounded his Laws: but the Patriarchs left some to the Prophets, and the Prophets left some to the Apostles, but they have left none for us, but they have all set open the whole will of God unto us, and every Prophet now ⟨image 50⟩bringeth only gold, mirth and frankincense, like the wise men that came to see our Lord.

And furthermore, the Lord hath not at any time reuealed vnto one of these, all things that might bee reuealed, but as much as sufficient for them euery one in their times and places. Neither hath any of them told as much of the will of God as might bee declared; nor fully expounded his Lawes: but the Patriarkes left some to the Prophets, and the Prophets left some to the Apostles, but they haue left none for vs, but they haue all set open the whole will of God vnto vs, and euery Prophet now ⟨image 50⟩bringeth only golde, myrthe and frankencense, like the wise men that came to see our Lord.

There are three things that moved me to take this story in hand above all others. First, because you know the story, and therefore can the better conceive of the matter, as I go forward with it. Secondly, because it is brief, and doth contain a great deal in a little. Thirdly, because it is most agreeable for the time and state of this sinful age wherein we live, and therefore most convenient for us. It is manifest that Jonah lined in a very troublesome time, namely, in the time of Jeroboam the son of Joash King of Israel, a wicked King, though not he that is called the Jeroboam that made Israel to sin. For of this second Jeroboam, in whose time he prophesied, it is written, 2. King. 14. 24. he departed not from any of the sins of Jeroboam that made Israel to sin; which commendeth the holiness of Jonah, in that he in the middest of the corruption wherewithal the people were overflown, was uncorrupted and unspotted, and called to be a Prophet amongst the people of God. For he had prophesied in Israel before he was sent to Nineveh, as the word also doth argue; which layeth open and magnifieth the great love of God, in that he sent a Prophet