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

Now one means is, exceedingly to desire it, ⟨p. 20⟩and earnestly to long for it: for the Lord saith in the prophecy of Isaiah: I will pour water upon ¹the thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thy buds. In which place, we see, there is a large promise made, but to whom? To poor desolate Christians that do feel their own miserable and wretched estate, and do even thirst for a supply of Gods graces, as the dry and parched ground doth for the rain to fall upon it; which doth even gape for it before it comes, as if it would devour the clouds before they fall. Concerning such the Lord saith, that he will pour water upon them: neither shall they have grace by drops, but whole floods thereof shall be poured upon them: for God can as easily overflow their souls therewith, as the ground with waters when it stands in need thereof. But what shall they be the better for this? what benefit shall they find thereby? The Prophet telleth us in that very place. Vers. 4. They shall grow as among the grass, and as willows by the rivers of waters. No rain can make the grass so fresh and green; no river can cause the trees that are planted thereby, so to flourish and prosper as the Spirit of God will every thirsty soul, when it is plentifully poured thereupon.

Now one meanes is, exceedingly to desire it, ⟨p. 20⟩and earnestly to long for it: for the Lord saith in the prophecy of Isaiah: I will powre water vpon ¹the thirstie, and flouds vpon the dry ground: I will powre my Spirit vpon thy seed, and my blessing vpon thy buds. In which place, wee see, there is a large promise made, but to whom? To poore desolate Christians that doe feele their owne miserable and wretched estate, and doe euen thirst for a supply of Gods graces, as the dry and parched ground doth for the raine to fall vpon it; which doth euen gape for it before it comes, as if it would deuoure the clouds before they fall. Concerning such the Lord saith, that he will powre water vpon them: neither shall they haue grace by drops, but whole flouds thereof shall be powred vpon them: for God can as easily ouerflow their soules therewith, as the ground with waters when it stands in need thereof. But what shall they be the better for this? what benefite shall they finde thereby? The Prophet telleth vs in that very place. Vers. 4. They shall grow as among the grasse, and as willowes by the riuers of waters. No raine can make the grasse so fresh and greene; no riuer can cause the trees that are planted thereby, so to flourish and prosper as the Spirit of God will euery thirsty soule, when it is plentifully powred thereupon.