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, seeing our nature is so inclinable unto wickedness, let us be humbled for the corruption ⟨p. 148⟩thereof, and testify the truth of our humiliation by avoiding all occasions of evil. Are we such dry wood as will easily be kindled? then let us take heed how we come too near the fire: are we such light stuff, as will soon be tossed and carried hither and thither with every puff? then let us beware how we adventure upon such places and such company, where the wind of false doctrine, or of devilish counsel and persuasion may blow upon us. Men will yield that the flesh is frail: but why then will they rush upon the occasions of falling? if the flesh be so subject to evil, why do they not crucify it by prayer, by applying the threatenings of the word to their own souls, by keeping good company, and the like?

Secondly, seeing our nature is so inclinable vnto wickednesse, let vs be humbled for the corruption ⟨p. 148⟩thereof, and testifie the truth of our humiliation by auoiding all occasions of euill. Are wee such drie wood as will easily be kindled? then let vs take heed how we come too neere the fire: are wee such light stuffe, as will soone be tossed and carried hither and thither with euery puffe? then let vs beware how wee aduenture vpon such places and such companie, where the winde of false doctrine, or of diuellish counsell and perswasion may blow vpon vs. Men will yeeld that the flesh is fraile: but why then will they rush vpon the occasions of falling? if the flesh bee so subiect to euill, why doe they not crucifie it by prayer, by applying the threatnings of the word to their owne soules, by keeping good companie, and the like?

This is it that maketh a number to fall into Popery, into Brownism, or into some such dangerous sects, or other, that when they give themselves to the profession of the Gospel, they find it to be cross and contrary to their corrupt and sinful nature, and therefore they are full of contradiction and gainsaying, and at length fall to reading of the books of Papists, or Brownists, or the like: and then they are carried unto their opinions with such eagerness and violence, as a ship on the sea that goes with wind and sail. Now what is the reason hereof? because the flesh is never strongly bent, until it meet with an ill object, but then it passeth on amain without any stop or let.