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 the Papists, and to show that they are not led by the Spirit, because in their prayers they rest not upon the mediation, and intercession of Jesus Christ, but join thereunto their own merits, and the merits of the Saints, thinking by that means to prevail in their suites, and to obtain their hearts desire.

Vse 1 First for the confutation of the Papists, and to shew that they are not led by the Spirit, because in their prayers they rest not vpon the mediation, and intercession of Iesus Christ, but ioyne thereunto their owne merits, and the merits of the Saints, thinking by that meanes to preuaile in their suites, and to obtaine their hearts desire.

Secondly, it maketh also for the confutation of a number of ignorant men and women among us, that will brag of their daily stint of prayers which they run over, and how they make no doubt but the Lord will accept of their requests, & will grant the same: and why? because they live honestly among their neighbours, & do no body any harm; and they hope withal that their good words & prayers do deserve somewhat at Gods hands. Alas poor simple people, they little consider what it is to make a good prayer: for if they did, they would go quite out of themselves unto Christ Jesus, and labour for acceptance only for his sake. And as for these prayers which they so much stand upon, if ever it please the Lord to open their eyes, and to waken their drowsy consciences, they will be so far from thinking that they merit any thing thereby, as that they will see great cause to be humbled therefore; for that they have dealt so hypocritically and carnally, drawing near unto God with their lips, when their hearts have been removed far from him.

Secondly, it maketh also for the confutation of a number of ignorant men and women among vs, that wil bragge of their daily stint of prayers which they runne ouer, and how they make no doubt but the Lord will accept of their requests, & will grant the same: and why? because they liue honestly among their neighbours, & do no body any harme; and they hope withall that their good words & prayers do deserue somewhat at Gods hands. Alas poore simple people, they little consider what it is to make a good praier: for if they did, they would go quite out of themselues vnto Christ Iesus, and labour for acceptance onely for his sake. And as for these prayers which they so much stand vpon, if euer it please the Lord to open their eyes, and to waken their drowsie consciences, they will be so farre from thinking that they merite any thing thereby, as that they will see great cause to be humbled therefore; for that they haue dealt so hypocritically and carnally, drawing neere vnto God with their lips, when their hearts haue bene remoued farre from him.