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

Our sins buffet God on every side, as the Jews, buffeted Christ, first on the right side, then on the left side, and never leave till they have provoked him to cry against us. When God cries, then we should weep, considering wherefore he cries: for there is nothing that can provoke the Lord to cry but sin, and that he ever crieth against. Do what you will, and say what you will, and the Lord will not be offended with you, unless you sin: but if you commit sin, he is just, and therefore will not leave till he hath by crying slain either you, or sin, that reigns in you. For as an angry man ever pursueth that which he hateth, until he hath destroyed it: so the Lord crosseth and followeth us with his judgements, until he hath slain that which most deadly he hateth, sin.

Our sins buffet God on euerie side, as the Iewes, buffeted Christ, first on the right side, then on the left side, and neuer leaue till they haue prouoked him to cry against vs. When God cries, then we should weepe, considering wherefore hee cries: for there is nothing that can prouoke the Lord to cry but sinne, and that hee euer crieth against. Doe what you will, and say what you will, and the Lord will not be offended with you, vnlesse you sinne: but if you commit sinne, he is iust, and therefore will not leaue til he hath by crying slaine either you, or sinne, that raignes in you. For as an angrie man euer pursueth that which he hateth, vntill he hath destroied it: so the Lord crosseth and followeth vs with his iudgements, vntill he hath slaine that which most deadly hee hateth, sinne.

And cry against it, &c.

Reproof is the necessariest office, yet is it least regarded, yea most abhorred. For now we think if one reprove us, he hateth us. But the Lord saith,