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

Use 1 First for the confutation of those senseless people, that will be talking and bragging how they ⟨p. 27⟩pray day and night. They that know what it is to lift up a fervent prayer unto the heavens, do easily discern that they are but mere braggers and boasters, and that indeed they never made one faithful prayer since they were borne, because they are, and still have been sensual and carnal, and utterly void of any sanctifying grace of Gods spirit: and therefore so far are they from having any cause of rejoicing in regard of their good prayers (as they call them) that they have great cause to be humbled for them, as being works of the flesh, and not of the Spirit, such as do rather provoke the Lords displeasure against them, then pacify his anger, or any way procure his favour towards them.

Vse 1 First for the confutation of those sencelesse people, that will be talking and bragging how they ⟨p. 27⟩pray day and night. They that know what it is to lift vp a feruent prayer vnto the heauens, doe easily discerne that they are but meere braggers and boasters, and that indeede they neuer made one faithful prayer since they were borne, because they are, and still haue bene sensuall and carnall, and vtterly void of any sanctifying grace of Gods spirit: and therefore so farre are they from hauing any cause of reioycing in regard of their good prayers (as they call them) that they haue great cause to be humbled for them, as being workes of the flesh, and not of the Spirit, such as doe rather prouoke the Lords displeasure against them, then pacifie his anger, or any way procure his fauour towards them.

Such are the prayers of all blind and ignorant Papists, who pray in an unknown tong, to whom it may be said, as it was by our Saviour unto the sons of Zebedeus, Ye know not what ye ask. They may speak what they list of their often praying, and how readily they can go through with their stint and task: but they that understand what it is to bring God and their own souls together in earnest requests, and fervent supplications, cannot but judge them to be bragging Pharisees, who think that the Lord is beholding unto them, and indebted unto them for such prayers; whereas in truth he may justly condemneth em unto hell for the same, and will do so, if they be not humbled for them, as well as for the rest of their iniquities. And therefore they that have indeed the Spirit of prayer,