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

But Jonah rose up to fly unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, &c.

But Ionah rose vp to flie vnto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, &c.

The righteous fall, and now no less then a Prophet, yea such a Prophet as was the figure of Christ. But who would have thought that such a Prophet should fly from the Lord, yea and that when he should do him most service? who counteth that no wickedness now, that he ever thought and taught was rebellion, while he was among the wicked? A fearful example: therefore let him that thinks he standeth, take he left he fall, for the way is slippery wherein we are to walk. When thou rememberest the fall of the Prophets, then consider that thou art much weaker then a Prophet, and therefore the easier to be encountered and overthrown, and the likelier to have a most grievous fall, except the Lord do mightily uphold thee, seeing such a one cannot stand in the sight of his so mortal enemy, but by him receiveth so grievous a fall. Secondly, if thou see Jonah fly, Moses murmur, David fall to adultery, Solomon to Idolatry and Peter to forswear his Master, then mayest thou learn not to trust to thine own strength, for it is weakness; not to thine own wisdom, for it is sinful; but seek help ¹and crave strength at the hands of Almighty God, who giveth to every one that asketh indifferently, and hitteth no man in the teeth; which doth not bruise the broken reed, nor quench the smoking flax, but doth rather increase our zeal then diminish it. Thirdly, judge ⟨image 66⟩wisely of the fall of Jonah, not rashly condemning him for his fault: for although David joined murder with adultery, yet he repented, and is the deer child of God.

The righteous fall, and now no lesse then a Prophet, yea such a Prophet as was the figure of Christ. But who would haue thought that such a Prophet should flie from the Lord, yea and that when he should doe him most seruice? who counteth that no wickednesse now, that he euer thought and taught was rebellion, while he was among the wicked? A fearefull example: therefore let him that thinks he standeth, take hee left hee fall, for the way is slippery wherein we are to walke. When thou remembrest the fall of the Prophets, then consider that thou art much weaker then a Prophet, and therefore the easier to be encountred and ouerthrown, and the likelier to haue a most greeuous fall, except the Lord doe mightily vphold thee, seeing such a one cannot stand in the sight of his so mortal enemy, but by him receiueth so greeuous a fall. Secondly, if thou see Ionah flie, Moises murmure, Dauid fal to adultery, Salomon to Idolatry and Peter to forsweare his Master, then maist thou learn not to trust to thine own strength, for it is weaknes; not to thine owne wisedome, for it is sinfull; but seeke helpe