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

Secondly, if those that go so far, be notwithstanding miserable, then how cursed are they that have not proceeded so far? that are not builders, but destroyers of themselves and others by their corrupt speeches, and by their lewd example and course of life? that are not arable grounds, but altogether a wild waste? that are not Virgins, but do still commit spiritual whoredom (and that in the sight of all the world) against the Lord God of heaven, that is a jealous God? If their fall shall ⟨p. 63⟩be horrible and fearful that build, and that with the good word of God; because they build on an ill foundation: how terrible must their judgement needs be, that come so far behind such in any show of goodness, and go so far beyond them in every kind of gross wickedness? If these grounds that made show of fruitfulness be accursed, because they bring not forth ripe fruit, then what shall become of them that will not endure any ploughing at all, but bring forth briars and brambles, and all manner of poisoned weeds? And if it went so hard with those that were Virgins, and went with their lamps to meet the bride-groom, then what must their doom be that are not Virgins, but adulterers, and adulteresses? that love the earth more then heaven, and earthly things more then heavenly things? that would rather be at a table of good cheer where their bodies may be pampered, then at the Lords table, where their souls might be fed unto eternal life? Certainly these mens judgements sleepeth not, and when it overtaketh them, woe unto them; for their case will be most lamentable. Neither need they cry out against hypocrites, for they are ten times worse then hypocrites, and their punishment must be suitable.

Secondly, if those that goe so farre, be notwithstanding miserable, then how cursed are they that haue not proceeded so farre? that are not builders, but destroyers of themselues and others by their corrupt speeches, and by their lewd example and course of life? that are not arable grounds, but altogether a wilde waste? that are not Virgins, but doe still commit spirituall whoredome (and that in the sight of all the world) against the Lord God of heauen, that is a iealous God? If their fall shall ⟨p. 63⟩be horrible and fearefull that build, and that with the good word of God; because they build on an ill foundation: how terrible must their iudgement needs be, that come so farre behinde such in any shew of goodnesse, and go so farre beyond them in euery kinde of grosse wickednesse? If these grounds that made shew of fruitfulnesse be accursed, because they bring not forth ripe fruit, then what shall become of them that will not endure any plowing at all, but bring forth bryars and brambles, and all manner of poysoned weeds? And if it went so hard with those that were Virgins, and went with their lampes to meet the bride-groome, then what must their doome be that are not Virgins, but adulterers, and adulteresses? that loue the earth more then heauen, and earthly things more then heauenly things? that would rather be at a table of good cheare where their bodies may be pampered, then at the Lords table, where their soules might be fedde vnto eternall life? Certainly these mens iudgements sleepeth not, and when it ouertaketh them, woe vnto them; for their case wil be most lamentable. Neither need they cry out against hypocrites, for they are ten times worse then hypocrites, and their punishment must be sutable.