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

Now on the other side, an hypocrite makes quick work, all his building is above ground, ⟨p. 60⟩and therefore when he hath talked a little of the Sermon, he is well, and thinks all his work is dispatched: he spends no time in digging and searching; nor in grieving and lamenting for his corruptions: nay he censureth Christians as too melancholy and pensive, that will go aside into a corner, and there deal by prayers and tears betwixt God and their own hearts: what need all this ado (saith the hypocrite) is not God merciful? He is so indeed, yet will he have us to be severe and unmerciful towards our corrupt and evil lusts, and therefore still to be digging at them, and casting of them forth of our hearts. And as in this place we may perceive how far true Christians do both agree and differ, so there are other Scriptures to clear the same, as the eight of Luke, the parable of the grounds, wherein it is evident, that the stony ground did hear the word of God, and that with understanding, yea with joy: nay which is more, the thorny ground did not only receive the seed, but brought forth both the blade and the ear, that is, did not only with readiness receive the word, but also did somewhat (in their manner) which the word commanded: thus far the ill grounds agreed with the good ground. But herein the good ground went beyond them, that those that were signified thereby, came with a good and honest heart, and had patience to undergo persecution for the ⟨p. 61⟩truth, and contempt of the world, that they would not be choked with the cares and pleasures thereof: whereas the other sort if they saw in likelihood, that they might get more profit and ease by following the world, then by embracing Christ, they were gone.

Now on the other side, an hypocrite makes quicke worke, all his building is aboue ground, ⟨p. 60⟩and therefore when he hath talked a little of the Sermon, he is well, and thinkes all his worke is dispatched: he spends no time in digging and searching; nor in grieuing and lamenting for his corruptions: nay he censureth Christians as too melancholy and pensiue, that will goe aside into a corner, and there deale by prayers and teares betwixt God and their owne hearts: what neede all this adoe (saith the hypocrite) is not God mercifull? He is so indeed, yet will he haue vs to be seuere and vnmercifull towards our corrupt and euill lustes, and therefore still to be digging at them, and casting of them foorth of our hearts. And as in this place wee may perceiue how farre true Christians doe both agree and differ, so there are other Scriptures to cleare the same, as the eight of Luke, the parable of the grounds, wherein it is euident, that the stonie ground did heare the word of God, and that with vnderstanding, yea with ioy: nay which is more, the thorny ground did not onely receiue the seede, but brought foorth both the blade and the eare, that is, did not onely with readinesse receiue the word, but also did somewhat (in their manner) which the word commanded: thus farre the ill grounds agreed with the good ground. But herein the good ground went beyond them, that those that were signified thereby, came with a good and honest heart, and had patience to vndergoe persecution for the