Three godly and fruitful sermons; the two first preached by Master John DodThree godlie and fruitful sermons; the two first preached by Maister Iohn Dod

First, because it will be a witness unto our souls, that we do duties in truth, and not in hypocrisy: for in secret, albeit we shed tears abundantly for our sins, none can accuse us of vain-glory, neither will our own hearts charge us therewith: whereas in public there may be some such suspicion in others, or doubt arising in our selves And as our sorrow will thence appear not to be hypocritical, so will it also be clear unto us, that it is not natural, nor for company, such as may be in a civill man, who seeing a great many weeping and mourning, can hardly refrain himself from tears, but will be apt and ready to lament with them.

First, because it will be a witnesse vnto our soules, that we doe duties in truth, and not in hypocrisie: for in secret, albeit wee shedde teares aboundantly for our sinnes, none can accuse vs of vaine-glory, neither will our owne hearts charge vs therewith: whereas in publicke there may be some such suspicion in others, or doubt arising in our selues And as our sorrow will thence appeare not to be hypocriticall, so will it also be cleare vnto vs, that it is not natural, nor for company, such as may be in a ciuill man, who seeing a great many weeping and mourning, can hardly refraine himselfe from teares, but will be apt and readie to lament with them.

Secondly, there is no man or woman but hath some sin or other, which is not meet for them to acknowledge before their nearest friends, because such is the corruption of their nature, they will be ready to think the worse of the party. The most loving and wife husband that is, if his wife should discover unto him all her thoughts and ill affections, would entertain somewhat a harder conceit of her than before he did; and therefore God would have many sinful cogitations and motions laid open only unto himself, who is infinitely ⟨p. 53⟩merciful and pitiful; and not unto any creature in the world beside.

Secondly, there is no man or woman but hath some sinne or other, which is not meete for them to acknowledge before their nearest friends, because such is the corruption of their nature, they will be ready to thinke the worse of the party. The most louing and wife husband that is, if his wife should discouer vnto him all her thoughts and ill affections, would entertaine somewhat a harder conceite of her than before he did; and therfore God would haue many sinfull cogitations and motions laid open onely vnto himselfe, who is infinitely