A20540:197
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
Three godly and fruitful sermons; the two first preached by Master John Dod: the last by Master Robert Cleaver. Whereunto are annexed, five propositions, or points of doctrine, comprehended in three other sermons, by the same authorThree godlie and fruitful sermons; the two first preached by Maister Iohn Dod: the last by Maister Robert Cleauer. Whereunto are annexed, fiue propositions, or points of doctrine, comprehended in three other sermons, by the same author
London: printed by N. Okes and F. Kingston for William Welby, 1610
THE THIRD SERMON upon the fourteenth Psalm.THE THIRD SERMON vpon the fourteenth Psalme.
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.
Object. 2 Others there are that rest upon the multitude, and think themselves sufficiently sheltered from Gods plagues, if they have a great many to join with them. Why should should we not sport and game, and take our full pleasure upon the Sabbath? (say they:) doth not all the country so? If it be so dangerous, many others shall feel the smart of it as well as we.
Obiect. 2 Others there are that rest vpon the multitude, and thinke themselues sufficiently sheltred from Gods plagues, if they haue a great many to ioyne with them. Why should should we not sport and game, and take our full pleasure vpon the Sabboth? (say they:) doth not all the country so? If it be so dangerous, many others shal feele the smart of it as well as we.
Ans. They shall so indeed: for in the beginning of this Psalm it is said: They are all corrupt, all gone out of the way, there is none that doth good, no not one: so that there was as it were an universal conspiracy in evil; yet is it said of them all: There were they taken with fear. And at the last day at the beholding of the terrible signs that shall appear, and at the hearing of the roaring of the sea, all nations shall quake and tremble: so that the multitude of offenders doth no whit better their case, nay that rather maketh it worse: for sometimes ⟨p. 92⟩even where there is no peril, the very hearing of many sending forth bitter cries and lamentable complaints, is a sufficient terror: how much more then would it be, if we were plunged in misery with them? It is a cold comfort unto us to be told, You may safely go to such a town; for there all the houses are generally infected with the pestilence! and as small an encouragement is it for men to rush upon the committing of any sin, because almost all the world is addicted thereunto, and corrupted therewith. For, as the more are infected with the pestilence, the more are likely to die; and those that go unto them, are sure of more discomfort among them, and in danger to perish with them: so by how much the number of them is greater that are tainted with gross sins, the more are likely to go to hellish torments; and such as will be their companions in evil, shall certainly be partakers with them in punishment: and the more reprobates are in hell together, the more hideous and woeful will their state be.