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

Now, the means whereby the devil tempts, are arguments fetched, some from the wit and reason of man, or from the customs of the world: some from the holy Scriptures, either corrupted, or wrong applied: now in consideration of the persons, then in regard of the thing it self, &c. In respect of the persons to whom he should preach, and himself, Jonah is here tempted, and so thus reasoneth with himself: I have long preached unto the Jews, which are the chosen people of God, & seeing they will not hear me, it is in vain to preach unto these Gentiles, which never heard of God or godliness, and therefore will esteem my words the less.

Now, the meanes whereby the diuell tempts, are arguments fetcht, some from the wit and reason of man, or from the customes of the world: some from the holy Scriptures, either corrupted, or wrong applied: now in consideration of the persons, then in regard of the thing it selfe, &c. In respect of the persons to whom hee should preach, and himselfe, Ionah is here tempted, and so thus reasoneth with himselfe: I haue long preached vnto the Iewes, which are the chosen people of God, & seeing they will not heare me, it is in vaine to preach vnto these Gentiles, which neuer heard of God or godlines, and therefore will esteeme my words the lesse.

Thus Jonah is loath to lose his labour, and puts in a doubt where he needs not, because he considered not the great power of God in mens harts. The Ninevites are heathen people, and therefore (saith Jonah) why should I venture my self amongst them? For seeing my own countrymen kick against my words, and ⟨image 62⟩cannot abide to hear the word which cometh from the Lord to reprove sin, then how much more shall I be despised these, and persecuted to death? Thus flesh and blood standeth staggering when it should do any good, misdoubting troubles, jealous of his own ease: but when it goeth about to do any mischief, it never considereth the danger, it weighteth not the following woe: yet doing good, it is uncertain whether all will not according, or even above our hope succeed; it is more likely we should be kept safe: but doing evil, mischief most certainly is procured, not danger only, but loss of the best things commonly, peace of conscience or spiritual graces, of some blessings alway, or at least not receipt of those things which much would rejoice us. For sure this was a sore temptation, to bid a man (being in reasonable good estate touching his body and life) that he should go and preach unto a savage heathen people that never