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

Ans. The answer hereunto is easy, because joy and sorrow may very well stand together, as may plainly appear in this similitude: If any of us had committed some notable offence, and were thereupon apprehended and condemned, and now going to the place of execution, there to endure whatsoever torture the wit or malice of men could inflict upon us; and at this instant some dear friend of ours, in singular compassion toward us, should entreat that the execution might be stayed; that we might be set at liberty, and he come in our steed to suffer whatsoever our ill deeds have deserved; we could not but be glad, that we speed so well, in being freed from so much misery: and yet withal if we had but natural kindness and common humanity in us, it could not but grieve our souls that so good a friend of ours should be put to such exquisite torments for our sakes. Or if a ⟨p. 41⟩surety should be content to sell his lands and goods for the discharge of our debts, we had just cause to rejoice thereat; and yet reason requires that we should be touched with inward grief, for that we had been such bankrupts, and provided so ill for the estate of our surety. Even so the case standeth betwixt Christ and us: he did undergo those punishments, which were to be inflicted upon us, and discharged those debts, which otherwise should have been charged upon us: in regard of our freedom, we ought to take comfort; and in regard of that which our Saviour did and suffered for us, we must be humbled and grieved.

Ans. The answere hereunto is easie, because ioy and sorrow may very well stand together, as may plainly appeare in this similitude: If any of vs had committed some notable offence, and were therevpon apprehended and condemned, and now going to the place of execution, there to endure whatsoeuer torture the wit or malice of men could inflict vpon vs; and at this instant some deare friend of ours, in singular compassion toward vs, should intreate that the execution might be stayed; that we might be set at liberty, and he come in our steed to suffer whatsoeuer our ill deeds haue deserued; we could not but be glad, that we speede so well, in being freed from so much miserie: and yet withall if we had but naturall kindnesse and common humanity in vs, it could not but grieue our soules that so good a friend of ours should be put to such exquisite torments for our sakes. Or if a ⟨p. 41⟩