A20540:43
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
Three godly and fruitful sermons; the two first preached by Master John Dod: the last by Master Robert Cleaver. Whereunto are annexed, five propositions, or points of doctrine, comprehended in three other sermons, by the same authorThree godlie and fruitful sermons; the two first preached by Maister Iohn Dod: the last by Maister Robert Cleauer. Whereunto are annexed, fiue propositions, or points of doctrine, comprehended in three other sermons, by the same author
London: printed by N. Okes and F. Kingston for William Welby, 1610
THE FIRST SERMON, UPON the twelfth of Zechariah.THE FIRST SERMON, VPON the twelfth of Zechariah.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Thirdly, here is an use of instruction, viz. that we should search and try whether we have the Spirit or not: for it is not a matter of small consequence, but such as nearly concerneth us.
Thirdly, here is an vse of instruction, viz. that we should search and try whether we haue the Spirit or not: for it is not a matter of small consequence, but such as neerely concerneth vs.
If then we would be resolved of this point, let1 us first examine, whether there be in us that continual war and conflict (mentioned Gal. 5. 17.) between the flesh and the Spirit, which all godly men do find and feel in themselves more or less: for as the Apostle there speaketh, The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. Now this combat is general throughout all the powers and faculties of the soul, as (to give instance in the chief of them:) First in the understanding part, there is a conflict between carnal reason, & the judgment rightly informed by Gods word; as in this particular: A good man is railed upon, and undeservedly traduced, and vilified; in this case reason will thus play its part: Why should you bear it at his hand, are not you his better? have you not him at an advantage? why should you not take him down, and give him as good as he brings? Nay (saith the Spirit) you must not render evil for evil, but rather overcome evil with 2goodness, and bless them that curse you, and pray for ⟨p. 16⟩such as hate you & persecute you in word or deed: they have too much fire in them already, & therefore do not you add more fuel thereunto, lest the flame be redoubled; but rather cast water upon it, that it may be extinguished. Thus doth the Spirit bring the weapons of God to subdue the flesh, even as the flesh doth come armed with the weapons of the Devil to resist the Spirit. Indeed there is many times in unregenerate persons, a fight betwixt carnal reason and their natural conscience; but that is not general throughout all the powers of the soul, neither doth it extend it self unto the motions & inclinations that are evil, to curb & repress them; nor breed humility and poverty of spirit, in the parties in whom it is found, and so drive them to the Lord to crave aide and strength from him to subdue te corrupns: but these checks of the natural consine do rather make men more fierce and froward, and at length more violent and outrageous in sning, especially if they have been occasioned either by the hearing of the terrible curse of the law, denounced against them in the public ministry;