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, 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,³ (as Job speaketh) who were more vile then the earth it self, could make Job their song and their talk: and in like sort did the drunkards and⁴ pot-companions deal with David; and the thief upon the cross with our Saviour, even at that time⁵ when the fierce wrath of God was manifested upon his body hanging on the cross, for that he had been a notorious and heinous malefactor.

Secondly, the diuell knoweth that he can get many souldiers to be imployed this way. Euery¹ limme of his cannot imprison, nor spoile Christians of their goods, or of their liues: but there are few or none but they can frame scoffes and ⟨p. 108⟩iests against the members of Christ Iesus. Euery boy can quickly grow skilfull at this, as we see in Ismael, and in the two and fortie children that² were torne in pieces of two beares for their mocking of the Prophet Elisha: the very scumme of the people, the vagabonds and rogues that run vp and downe the countrie can doe their master the diuell good seruice this way: those that were the children of fooles and the children of villaines,