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

If a Preacher were commanded to go and preach at Rome gates, against Antichrists jurisdiction & the idolatry that is so inordinately used in that Synagogue of uncleanness, seeing that is a matter for which they torment and kill all that preach it sincerely: I fear it would hardly come to pass at all, that this preacher would go from a reasonable quiet estate touching his body, to venture his life among such cruel tyrants: I fear he would rather content himself with his present ease, then commit himself to so likely misery.

If a Preacher were commanded to goe and preach at Rome gates, against Antichrists iurisdiction & the idolatry that is so inordinately vsed in that Sinagogue of vncleannes, seeing that is a matter for which they torment and kill all that preach it sincerely: I feare it would hardly come to passe at all, that this preacher would go from a reasonable quiet estate touching his body, to venture his life among such cruell tyrants: I feare hee would rather content himselfe with his present ease, then commit himselfe to so likely miserie.

If I go to preach unto these infidels, saying, yet forty days and Nineveh shall be destroyed, then (saith Jonah) it may be, they will repent, & God will have mercy upon them, so I shall be counted a false Prophet for my labour. And thus we regard our credit more then the glory of God, in the obedience of his will: and rather then we ⟨image 63⟩would receive any reproach by your doings (in the sight of the world,) we rather choose to enter into no great action touching the glory of God, and the good of the Church. In respect of the Israelites and himself: If I leave mine own people, and preach unto the Gentiles (saith Jonah) I shall bring shame upon Israel before all people, because a Prophet is gone from them for their obstinacy, choosing rather to preach unto uncircumcised Gentiles then unto them, as if there were more hope of the Gentiles then of them. So Jonah more feareth the children's disgrace then the Fathers dishonour, and their despite, then his displeasure. Satan is too well acquainted with mans nature, and so more certainly knows, then we wisely consider, that all Adams sons are from labour easily brought to loiter: more willingly from fear and pain, to security and pleasure: therefore seldom or never doth he in tempting omit this enticement; It will be for thy ease, for thy delight, for thy security. Therefore he saith to Jonah, not only the way to Nineveh is long and dangerous, thy person and message odious, therefore thy travel must needs be tedious, thy troubles grievous, &c. but also thy passage to Tarshish is easy, thy security there sure, thy pleasures many, thy delight great. Yea, with this he assaulted Christ himself, saying, when he had showed him all the Kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them: All these will I give thee, &c. And doth thee not so also evermore persuade us, this good; this gain, this glory, this pleasure, or this preferment shalt thou get, if thou thus and thus deal? if if you will leave the society, the exercises, the profession, and the company of the children of God, and serve me, and worship me: preferring your covetousness, your pride, your lust, before the service of God: not being scrupulous to swear for your gain sometime, nor to lie for your pleasure, nor to cozen for riches: