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

By this now which hath been spoken it may easily be discerned how the Lord is present with his servants, viz. by his wisdom to direct them: by his power, to preserve them; & by his Spirit, to comfort them. And that God hath been, and is thus present still, will be very evident, if we consider the state of the Church what it is, what it hath been: namely still beset with many and mighty adversaries, that have used, and do use, their wit and wealth, and power and friends, and all means that possibly they can devise, for the razing and utter overthrowing of Gods people: and yet have¹ never been able to effect and bring to pass their ⟨p. 102⟩malicious enterprises against the same. The Church is as a weak tent in it self, not fortified with any walls, and yet those that have laid siege against it, & sought utterly to consume it, have not taken away so much as one stake, or broken so much as one cord thereof, as the Prophet Isaiah witnesses: and why?² because (as he saith) the mighty Lord was their defence. Christians are even as sheep, very impotent and feeble for the most part, in regard of outward strength; & withal few in number: & their enemies are like raging Lyons, & besides for multitude very many: yet the flock of Christ still remains, & the more the wicked rage against it, the more doth it still increase, as we have an experiment in the Israelites under Pharaohs tyranny. Yea in many places³ where their pastors seek to make havoc of them, even there are they courageous for the truth; and though Christians dwell where Satan's throne is, and were he seemeth to bear full sway, yet it may be said to them, as it was unto the Church of Pergamus by Christ Jesus, Thou keepest my name, and ⁴hast not denied my faith.

By this now which hath bene spoken it may easily be discerned how the Lord is present with his seruants, viz. by his wisedome to direct them: by his power, to preserue thē; & by his Spirit, to comfort them. And that God hath bene, and is thus present still, will be very euident, if we consider the state of the Church what it is, what it hath bene: namely still beset with many and mighty aduersaries, that haue vsed, and doe vse, their wit and wealth, and power and friendes, and al meanes that possibly they can diuise, for the razing and vtter ouerthrowing of Gods people: and yet haue