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

But what then? may such cast off all care? No, the Apostle saith unto such, Quench not the spirit. And not without cause: for though the spirit it self can never be utterly taken from them, yet doubtless if pride, security, or any other sin begin to take place in them, the graces of the spirit may decay, and their clear understanding, and comfortable feelings may be gone, so that in their own and others judgements, the spirit may seem to be quite extinguished.

But what then? may such cast off all care? No, the Apostle saith vnto such, Quench not the spirit. And not without cause: for though the spirit it selfe can neuer be vtterly taken from them, yet doubtlesse if pride, security, or any other sinne begin to take place in them, the graces of the spirit may decay, and their cleere vnderstanding, and comfortable feelings may be gone, so that in their own and others iudgements, the spirit may seem to be quite extinguished.

Neither must this seem strange: for if the Image of God which was more perfectly placed in Adam, might be quite lost, then no marvel if the graces of the spirit be drowned in us for a time. The Galatians were truly regenerated, and had received Christ into their hearts: yet their graces were so choked and quenched, that he was as it were without fashion or form: so¹ that the Apostle did as it were travel again, until Christ was fashioned anew in them. David also upon the committing of his sin was brought unto that case, that he prayed God to create in him ²a new spirit. What, was the spirit quite gone? No, for by and by after he prayeth that God would not take his holy spirit from him: but the graces thereof ⟨p. 177⟩were wonderfully decayed, and therefore he desireth that they might be renewed.