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 the reason why Satan maketh choice of this weapon above others, therewith to fight against Gods servants, is,

Now the reason why Satan maketh choice of this weapon aboue others, therewith to fight against Gods seruants, is,

Reasons. First, because mans nature is subject greatly to abhor contempt, and therefore cannot easily endure to be vilified and disgraced by scoffing and reproachful speeches and gestures.

Reasons. First, because mans nature is subiect greatly to abhorre contempt, and therefore cannot easily endure to bee vilified and disgraced by scoffing and reprochfull speeches and gestures.

Secondly, the devil knoweth that he can get many soldiers to be employed this way. Every¹ limb of his cannot imprison, nor spoil Christians of their goods, or of their lives: but there are few or none but they can frame scoffs and ⟨p. 108⟩jests against the members of Christ Jesus. Every boy can quickly grow skilful at this, as we see in Ismael, and in the two and forty children that² were torn in pieces of two bears for their mocking of the Prophet Elisha: the very scum of the people, the vagabonds and rogues that run up and down the country can do their master the devil good service this way: those that were the children of fools and the children of villains,