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

And lastly for the memory, before their conversion, Gods own children are prone to remember injuries and unkindness which others have offered unto them, and to forget such as they have offered unto others; they can hold fast all such things as will further corrupt them, but they let slip whatsoever may benefit and help them in good and holy courses: but after their regeneration the case is altered with them: for them they strive to disburden their memories of all things that may hurt them, and to retain only such matters as may make them more humble, and merciful, and thankful. This spiritual fight in the inward man is a most infallible mark of the spirit of grace, which is the rather to be noted, because many of Gods servants through ignorance take it to be quite contrary. We find (say they) such a deal of carnal reason, so many sinful affections and lusts, and such unwillingness and unfitness for every holy duty, that we much doubt whether we have Gods spirit in us or not. But who tells you that there are so many things amiss in you? who is it that causeth you to see the errors of your mind, and the corruptions of your heart? who is it that causeth you to hate them, and to be out of liking with your self for them? who is it that enableth you to take Gods part against them, and to strive by all means to ⟨p. 19⟩be freed from the bondage of them? Is it not the spirit of God that worketh all these good things in you? and why then should you make question whether it dwell in you yea or no? these are fruits of the Spirit, which are never found in any but in spiritual men.

And lastly for the memory, before their conuersion, Gods owne children are prone to remember iniuries and vnkindnes which others haue offered vnto them, and to forget such as they haue offered vnto others; they can hold fast all such things as will further corrupt them, but they let slip whatsoeuer may benefite and helpe them in good and holy courses: but after their regeneration the case is altered with them: for thē they striue to disburden their memories of all things that may hurt them, and to retaine onely such matters as may make them more humble, and mercifull, and thankfull. This spirituall fight in the inward man is a most infallible marke of the spirit of grace, which is the rather to bee noted, because many of Gods seruants through ignorance take it to be quite contrary. We finde (say they) such a deale of carnall reason, so many sinfull affections and lusts, and such vnwillingnesse and vnfitnesse for euery holy duty, that we much doubt whether we haue Gods spirit in vs or not. But who tels you that there are so many things amisse in you? who is it that causeth you to see the errours of your minde, and the corruptions of your heart? who is it that causeth you to hate them, and to be out of liking with your selfe for them? who is it that enableth you to take Gods part against them, and to striue by all meanes to