B15838:330
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.
If God had not seen that which men see not, Gehezi might have gained a bribe for his labour, when he 1ran after Naaman the Assyrian, & told him a lie for his profit. But God seeing his fetches, which men saw not, turned his bribe to a leprosy, and so made him a leper for his labour. A fearful example for such as take bribes, yet many care not what bribes they take, so men see it not.
If God had not seene that which men see not, Gehezi might haue gained a bribe for his labour, when he 1ranne after Naaman the Assyrian, & tolde him a lie for his profit. But God seeing his fetches, which men saw not, turned his bribe to a leprosie, and so made him a leaper for his labour. A fearfull example for such as take bribes, yet many care not what bribes they take, so men see it not.
The man that said, Be merry my soul, and take thy 1pleasure for many years, might have done it, and not God seen him: but he espied him falling to godless security, and threatened him, that night to bereave him of his soul. Forget it not ye that abound in wealth, whose cup runneth over. If God had not seen Achan take up the piece of gold, he had kept it to himself for his labour, and no man should have known where he 2had it. But God seeing it (though closely done) rewarded him with shame in the sight of all Israel. O Lord, what is man that thou so watchest him? Achan would never have stolen if he had known that God did see him. Gehezi durst never have taken a bribe, if he had thought that God beheld his doings. Wilt thou steal, the owner looking on thee? Wilt thou speak treason in the kings hearing? neither would we lie, nor swear, nor steal, nor hurt, nor be profane at any time, if we consider that the Lord seeth us, & remembered that he watcheth us: if we would do this, sin might go a beginning for want of service. Therefore if you will mark but this part of my sermon, that God seeth all, you would refrain from those things secretly, that are to the offence of God, which you for fear or shame will not do before men: and you would say even when your hand is at it, I will not do it, because the Lord seeth me. But as when we sin though in secret, he is all eyes to see us, & when he sees it requisite to make some example, to teach all, that when man cannot nor will not discover us, he will show that he saw us; then