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…

let them learn of the books of the dead, for the dead shall not return unto them. Again, if it had been Samuel himself which had taught Saul to worship GOD, would that holy Prophet have received worship himself, as this spirit did? Again, If it had been Samuel Sauls Schoolmaster, which taught him always to repent while he lived: he would rather have exhorted him to repentance now then before, seeing the day of his death was so near. But you will say, Whatsoever it was, it seems that he could prophesy of things to come: for he foretold Sauls death. Can the devil prophesy? This was an easy matter for the devil to prophesy, because he knew that David was anointed before, and therefore Saul must be removed, that he might reign as he was anointed. Secondly, he knew that Samuel had prophesied his confusion, and therefore he must be degraded, that the Prophecy ⟨p. 536⟩might be fulfilled. Thirdly, he did see the Philistines coming against him, and therefore no marvel if he did aim that his death was near at hand, seeing a man might prophesy the same.

let them learne of the bookes of the dead, for the dead shall not returne vnto them. Againe, if it had been Samuel himselfe which had taught Saul to worship GOD, woulde that holie Prophet haue receiued worship himselfe, as this spirit did? Againe, If it had been Samuel Sauls Schoolemaster, which taught him alwayes to repent while hee liued: hee would rather haue exhorted him to repentance now then before, seeing the daye of his death was so neere. But you will say, Whatsoeuer it was, it seemes that he could prophecie of things to come: for hee foretold Sauls death. Can the diuell prophecie? This was an easie matter for the diuell to prophecie, because he knew that Dauid was annoynted before, and therefore Saul must be remooued, that he might reigne as he was annoynted. Secondly, he knew that Samuel had prophecied his confusion, and therefore hee must bee degraded, that the Prophecie ⟨p. 536⟩might bee fulfilled. Thirdly, hee did see the Philistins comming against him, and therefore no meruaile if he did aime that his death was neere at hand, seeing a man might prophecie the same.