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…

or else it had been good for Job,¹ which suffered more than any Saint, except Christ, to make away himself, as Judas did.² But why is it commanded then, thou shall nor kill? If thou mayest not kill another, much less mayest thou kill thy self. As for the example of Sampson, Jud. 16. 30. which may seem to oppose against this, in that he killed himself, when as he pulled the house upon his own head, and all that were with him: understand, that he was a figure of Christ, which vanquished moe in his death than in all his life; and it appeareth that he had warrant from God, in that his strength being taken from him, was (for the act) in a moment restored to him upon his prayer. And the Epistle to the Hebr. 11. 13. to clear that fact, saith, that he did it of faith; that is, knowing that he had deserved to die, and that by these means the enemies of God should be destroyed, he submitted himself to the good will of GOD, like a good Captain which ventured his life to kill his enemies: therefore we must not look to particular examples, but to the general law. Wherefore let no man do this evil, that any good may come of ⟨p. 540⟩it, but rather follow the advise of the holy Apostle, as it becometh us, with patience let us run out the race which is set before us.

or else it had been good for Iob,¹ which suffered more than any Saint, except Christ, to make away himselfe, as Iudas did.² But why is it commanded then, thou shall nor kill? If thou maist not kill another, much lesse maist thou kill thy selfe. As for the example of Sampson, Iud. 16. 30. which may seeme to oppose against this, in that he killed himselfe, when as he pulled the house vpon his owne head, and all that were with him: vnderstand, that hee was a figure of Christ, which vanquished moe in his death than in all his life; and it appeareth that he had warrant from God, in that his strength being taken from him, was (for the acte) in a moment restored to him vpon his prayer. And the Epistle to the