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…

The beasts of the field are armed with horns, with hoofs, with tusks, and such like to take revenge: but nature hath left nothing for man to put him in mind of revenge; and yet man above all other creatures, is most desirous of revengement, for he hateth his own life, therefore it is against nature to envy. John saith, he that hateth his brother is a manslayer and loveth not God, neither knoweth God: if an envious man (saith he) say he loveth God, he is a liar, because he hateth his image: if he say he knoweth God, he is a liar, how canst thou love God, and hate good men? & how canst thou love learning, when thou hatest the learned? so doth the envious man all both good and bad: therefore this is the worst sin, because it cometh nearest the sin against the holy Ghost.

The beastes of the field are armed with hornes, with hoofes, with tuskes, and such like to take reuenge: but nature hath left nothing for man to put him in mind of reuenge; and yet man aboue al other creatures, is most desirous of reuengment, for he hateth his owne life, therefore it is against nature to enuie. Iohn sayth, he that hateth his brother is a manslaier and loueth not God, neither knoweth God: if an enuious man (sayth he) say he loueth God, he is a lyar, because he hateth his image: if he say he knoweth God, he is a lyar, how canst thou loue God, and hate good men? & how canst thou loue learning, when thou hatest the learned? so doth the enuious man all both good and bad: therefore this is the worst sinne, because it commeth neerest the sinne against the holy Ghost.

Consider therefore whom thou hatest, even thy image. The devil was appointed to hate man, and not man to hate man; and if thou hatest a good man, thou hatest God: if thou hatest an evil man, thou hatest one like thy self; and if thou hatest one like thy self, ⟨p. 355⟩thou hatest thine own soul: therefore as S. Paul saith, Have peace with all men. Canst thou not hate the sin, and love the person? as the Physician hateth the disease, and yet loveth the diseased.

Consider therefore whom thou hatest, euen thy image. The diuell was appoynted to hate man, and not man to hate man; and if thou hatest a good man, thou hatest God: if thou hatest an euil man, thou hatest one like thy selfe; and if thou hatest one like thy selfe,