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

We have seen some causes why satan assaulting us, he straight overcomes us: would any see more? we have bin taught his power, malice, watchfulness, and wiliness: we have most fit and sufficient armour ministered unto us: we have a promise, that resisting him, we shall make him ¹fly from us. Therefore surely we forget our enemy, or neglect the promise, or take not to us the whole armour of God, specially we like not that armour-bearer humility: submit your selves to God, and then resist he devil. But moreover, we to our own certain peril and pain (so corrupt are we) join with our enemy, more ready to do his will then Gods word. Hereof no doubt foolish Balaam asked again and again, till God seeing him bent contrary to that he had bin commanded, left him ²unto himself: and so Balaam went on in sin so long, till the very Ass whereon he rode, was constrained to reprove him. But would you howsoever Satan tempts, not be turned by him out of the right way? howsoever he fights, not to be foiled by him? would you have him soon to forsake you, speedily to fly from you, that is, would you resist him? for when we begin valiantly to fight, then forthwith he flies. Consider how shameful a ⟨image 64⟩thing it is, being every way encouraged to fight, to show our selves most dastardly cowards: how dishonourable to our captain Christ, to yield the victory to his deadly enemy: how dangerous for our selves, knowing he is a most cruel tyrant, and most inexorable, that most glorieth and specially takes pleasure in putting us to the most bitter pain that possibly he can, and therefore having overcome us, will for ever continue us in most intolerable torments. Yea, sayest thou, these things considered would make us courageously to encounter with Satan, and so soon to conquer him; but he comes often as a friend, as an Angel of light: how shall I then descry him, that I may defy him and make him to fly?

We haue seene some causes why sathan assaulting vs, hee straight ouercomes vs: would any see more? we haue bin taught his power, malice, watchfulnes, and wilines: we haue most fit and sufficient armor ministred vnto vs: we haue a promise, that resisting him, we shall make him ¹