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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.
A second means to obtain the Spirit, with a daily increase of the gifts and graces thereof, is to pray for it, (as every one will that doth heartily long for it) and to believe that we shall have it: and that we may do so, our Saviour maketh a ⟨p. 21⟩notable argument for us. Ask (saith he) and it 1shall be given you: seek, and ye shall find, &c. Object. Oh but I am unworthy, might some say, both to ask and to receive any thing at Gods hand.
A second meanes to obtaine the Spirit, with a daily increase of the gifts and graces thereof, is to pray for it, (as euery one will that doth heartily long for it) and to beleeue that we shall haue it: and that wee may doe so, our Sauiour maketh a ⟨p. 21⟩notable argument for vs. Aske (saith he) and it 1shall be giuen you: seeke, and ye shal find, &c. Obiect. Oh but I am vnworthy, might some say, both to aske and to receiue any thing at Gods hand.
Ans. Why (saith Christ) If ye which are evil can give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly father give the holy Ghost to them that ask it? As if he should have said: You have no matter of desert in you, and therefore you are discouraged from prayer: but what merit is there in one of your little children, which are full of frowardness, of brawling and unquietness? yet if they ask any thing of you that you conceive to be good for them, you will presently grant it unto them. Now if you that are sinful can pass by the infirmities of your children, and give them such things as are needful, though you have made them no promise; and you cannot relieve them without cost and pains unto your selves, nay many times not without pinching your selves, and sparing from your own backs and bellies: if you (I say) that are evil can deal thus lovingly and kindly with your children, how much more will your heavenly father, who is the God of all goodness, yea goodness it self, deal favourably with his children, having made a promise unto them, and it being no pains nor charges unto him, to bestow a plentiful measure of spiritual graces upon them? and especially seeing that the more liberal he is that way unto them, the more glory shall thereby redound unto his great name. If then we desire the Spirit of grace in an