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

These holy pharisees did use to call the publicans, not usurers, nor extortioners, as they themselves were; but by the general name of sinners, as though they themselves were free from sin. Thus the Papists at this day do use to call the most sincere professors of the Gospel, not Lutherans, Calvinists, Zwinglians, or Protestants, as they were wont to call them: but now they term us heretics, a name more odious then any other; whereas in the mean season, they themselves are of all others the greatest heretics. So the Atheists of our time, when they cannot accuse the godly that are amongst us, of usury, or bribery, or extortion, or drunkenness, or any such notorious sin, they call them hypocrites, which is the sum of all: when as in very trueth they themselves do best deserve that name: but it makes no matter what they call us, neither are we to be moved at their despiteful speeches: for as the bitter taunts of these murmuring pharisees, could not hinder Zaccheus in his conversion, so the slanders of these godless men, must not discourage the servants ⟨image 15⟩of God from their good profession. The Pharisees did Zaccheus great wrong for calling him sinner, when he had repented of his sin: and the Atheists at this day do greatly wrong the true professors, in calling them hypocrites, which have truly repented of their former sins, and endeavour by all good means to lead a godly life. Therefore as Zaccheus preferred his souls health before all their murmuring: so it behooveth us to look to our souls salvation, notwithstanding all the reproaches and slanders that are devised against us. And as the Pharisees might call Zaccheus sinner, but could not hinder his conversion: so the malicious worldlings may take away our goods, our good names, yea, and our lives also, but cannot deprive us of our salvation.

These holy pharisies did vse to call the publicans, not vsurers, nor extortioners, as they themselues were; but by the generall name of sinners, as though they themselues were free from sinne. Thus the Papists at this day doe vse to call the most sincere professors of the Gospell, not Lutherans, Caluinists, Zwinglians, or Protestants, as they were wont to call them: but now they terme vs hereticks, a name more odious then any other; whereas in the meane season, they themselues are of all others the greatest heretickes. So the Atheists of our time, when they cannot accuse the godly that are amongst vs, of vsurie, or briberie, or extortion, or drunkennesse, or any such notorious sinne, they call them hypocrites, which is the summe of all: when as in very trueth they themselues doe best deserue that name: but it makes no matter what they call vs, neither are wee to be mooued at their despightfull speeches: for as the bitter taunts of these murmuring pharisies, could not hinder Zaccheus in his conuersion, so the slaunders of these godlesse men, must not discourage the seruants