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

To them which ask, how our sins ascend and fly up before God; J answer, God here speaks unto us after the manner of men, who cannot see a thing afore it be brought unto them, even where they are, and before them. So that hereby is signified God had seen their wickedness.

To them which aske, how our sinnes ascend and flie vp before God; J answer, God here speakes vnto vs after the maner of men, who cannot see a thing afore it be brought vnto them, euen where they are, and before them. So that hereby is signified God had seene their wickednesse.

We fast as before him, we pray as before him, we give alms as before him, and we do every good thing as before him, because we do it freely, and as it were, not caring who looks upon us. But we sin as behind him, because we hide and cloak our sins, and commit them in secret, loath that men should spy them: our conscience in such actions accusing us, & instantly telling us, we are about that which we cannot justify. And we suppose that we sin behind him, because we sin here below, saying with our selves in the consideration of our blinded hearts, as Eliphaz accused Job to have ⟨image 57⟩said: Is not God in the height of heaven? and see the ¹highness of the stars, how high are they? Therefore how should God know it? Should he be able to see through the dark? The thick clouds are a covering to him, that he may not see, and he walketh up and down the round circle of the heavens. But then chiefly we imagine that God beholds us not, when men cannot see us: as if God could not know, what man cannot spy. But let us not deceive our selves, for God seeth not as man seeth. Man can see but only outward things committed in action, but God seeth, and knoweth, and searcheth the secrets of the heart, yea the secretest thoughts and imaginations of it. Again, man can see but one thing at once, he cannot turn his right eye one way, & left eye another: he cannot see before him & behind him with one look: but God seeth all things at all times. Though we sin as closely as we can for fear of hatred, or shame of the world, or for any other respect, yet God saith, your sin is come up before me. For though we cover it, and hide it, and colour it, yea and as it were bury it as well as lieth in us, yet all is open unto him: therefore he saith, your sin is come up before me.