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

Object. Oh but this is too much niceness and scrupulosity, (will some say) I hope we are not so weak nor so simple, but we can choose the best and leave the worst: be present at any popish worship, and yet keep our hearts to God: converse with any company, and yet continue honest men still.

Obiect. Oh but this is too much nicenesse and scrupulositie, (will some say) I hope we are not so weake nor so simple, but we can chuse the best and leaue the worst: be present at any popish worship, and yet keepe our hearts to God: conuerse with any companie, and yet continue honest men still.

Answer. Have you so good a persuasion of your flesh? certainly you do thereby give men just occasion to have an ill persuasion of you, and to suspect that in truth you do not much care of what religion or of what conversation you be. Others have bin as well conceited of themselves as you, and thereupon have bin bold without any calling or warrant to travel into strange countries, and being there, to see Images and to hear Masses, and to use familiarity with men of all sorts. But what hath been the event thereof? they have returned home, either of no religion, or of a false religion. This lamentable experience doth show to be most true, in many young gentlemen of the greatest houses in this our land, whose atheistical and profane carriage should be a warning unto others, not to presume upon their own strength, nor to tempt the Lord by casting themselves upon the occasions of evil.

Answere. Haue you so good a perswasion of your flesh? certainly you doe thereby giue men iust occasion to haue an ill perswasion of you, and to suspect that in truth you doe not much care of what religion or of what conuersation you be. Others haue bin as well conceited of themselues as you, and thereupō haue bin bold without any calling or warrant to trauell into strange countries, and being there, to see Images and to heare Masses, and to vse familiaritie with men of all sorts. But what hath been the euent thereof? they haue returned home, either of no religion, or of a false religion. This lamentable experience doth shew to be most true, in many yong gentlemen of the greatest houses in this our land, whose atheisticall and prophane cariage should be a warning vnto others, not to presume vpon their owne strength, nor to tempt the Lord by casting themselues vpon the occasions of euill.