A20534:108
A remedy against private contentions A godly and fruitful sermon on James, 4.1. &c.…A remedy against priuat contentions A godly and fruitfull sermon on Iames, 4.1. &c.…
A remedy against private contentions A godly and fruitful sermon on James, 4.1. &c. Wherein is at large discovered the hatefulness, and perniciousness of private jars and contentions, with manifold remedies against the same. By Mr. John Dod.A remedy against priuat contentions A godly and fruitfull sermon on Iames, 4.1. &c. Wherin is at large discouered the hatefulnes, and perniciousnesse of priuate iars and contentions, with manifold remedies against the same. By Mr. Iohn Dod.
London: printed by Humphrey Lownes for Thomas Man, 1614London: printed by Humfrey Lownes for Thomas Man, 1614
A REMEDY AGAINST Private Contentions.A REMEDIE AGAINST Priuate Contentions.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Use 2 Secondly, let this instruct us to be content with a mean estate, and to be restrained of those delights and pleasures that others do enjoy: for the world is a dangerous and pernicious bait, and most men run a whoring after it, and the most godly and religious have a wanton eye, which is too too apt to be looking after the same. And therefore as a wise Father if he perceive his son inclined unto wantonness, will withdraw his hand from him, and withhold all such things as might be for the nourishing of that sin: so dealeth our wise God with us, when he seeth his children to be addicted to spiritual wantonness, that they look after new gauds, and vain fashions, and would not only be commended for their godliness, but for their coats, for their attendants, for their buildings, for their cattle, &c.
Vse 2 Secondly, let this instruct vs to be content with a mean estate, and to be restrained of those delights and pleasures that others doe enioy: for the world is a dangerous and pernitious baite, and most men run a whoring after it, and the most godly and religious haue a vvanton eye, which is too too apt to be looking after the same. And therfore as a wise Father if he perceiue his sonne inclined vnto vvntonnesse, will withdraw his hand from him, and withhold all such things as might be for the nourishing of that sin: so dealeth our wise God with vs, when hee seeth his children to be addicted to spirituall wantonnesse, that they looke after new gawds, and vaine fashions, and would not onely be commended for their godlinesse, but for their coates, for their attendants, for their buildings, for their cattell, &c.
When the Lord (I say) perceiveth this disposition in them, he keepeth them low, and curbeth their desires, ⟨p. 30⟩which we should account a very great and sweet favour of God: for little do we know what we should otherwise come unto. If a man be inclining to strong drink, and have a weak head, so that he will quickly be overtaken, it is a benefit for him to be restrained therefrom: now the Lord is wise, and seeth the inclination of his children unto great prosperity, but he knoweth withal, that they have but weak brains to bear it; and therefore in stead of wealth and ease, and credit, he sendeth wants and pains and disgraces which are far better for them.