The sermons of Master Henry Smith gathered into one volume. Printed according to his…The sermons of Maister Henrie Smith gathered into one volume. Printed according to his…

After that Judas had received meat of Christ, he went about to betray him: So after they have received Peace and Plenty, and prosperity of their Prince, they go about to betray her. As Davids enemies longed and said, When will David die, and the name of David perish? So they long and cry, when will Elizabeth die, and the name of Elizabeth perish? But Elizabeth liveth, and they die which seek her death. John calls the Pharisees a generation of Vipers, which never are borne, but their mother dyeth for it.

After that Iudas had reciued meate of Christ, he went about to betray him: So after they haue receiued Peace and Plentie, and prosperitie of their Prince, they goe about to betray her. As Dauids enemies longed and saide, When will Dauid die, and the name of Dauid perish? So they long and crie, when will Elizabeth die, and the name of Elizabeth perish? But Elizabeth liueth, and they die which seeke her death. Iohn cals the Pharisies a generation of Vipers, which neuer are borne, but their mother dyeth for it.

How right this fitteth with the papists, for they cannot live without the death of their mother. For the Spaniard which would slaughter them, they would slaughter the Nurse which cherisheth them. Had Zimri Peace (saith Jezebel) which •lue his master? ⟨p. 898⟩So I may say, have they died in peace which would have slain their mistress? they which have not hanged themselves like Judas, have been hanged by others like Hammon, as though they had been sent over but to visit Tyborn. So God hath blessed them that bless her, and cursed them which curse her. Therefore some Traitors have confessed, that they had sinned in betraying the Lords anointed, as Judas confessed that he had sinned in betraying the Lord himself. He betrayed him, as though he had not been innocent, and now he must die, he saith, I have betrayed innocent blood. Innocent in deed: For when he asked his enemies which of them could accuse him of sin? they had nothing to answer: Innocent in life: Innocent in speech: and Innocent in thought. The infants which be called innocents were not so innocent: therefore how should he be innocent which betrayed the innocentest of all? We are taught to be good unto all, but especially to the good: but Judas was naught to all, but worst to the best. If he had betrayed any, he might say, I have sinned, because all dissimulation and guile is condemned.