Seven godly and fruitful sermons. The six first preached by Master John DodSeuen godlie and fruitfull sermons. The six first preached by Master Iohn Dod

But what if religion should change, Object. how should I do then? Ans. As well as any time before: for God never changeth, and therefore if you be a branch of the true vine once, you shall never be cut off, but remain in the vine for ever. Therefore we should be so far from being afraid of any fiery trials, ¹that we should rejoice when we fall into divers temptations. And the Apostle yieldeth two good reasons. First, because thereby our faith is refined. ⟨p. 73⟩Other weapons, the more they are used, the worse they are: but it is otherwise with this shield of faith; the more blows it receives, the better it is. Secondly, these trials do work patience, ²as is plain in Job, who by his meekness and humble submission unto God under his grievous crosses, did much honour the Lord; so that Satan is the liar in all such conflicts.

But what if religion should change, Obiect. how should I doe then? Ans. As well as any time before: for God neuer changeth, and therefore if you be a branch of the true vine once, you shall neuer bee cut off, but remaine in the vine for euer. Therefore wee should bee so farre from being afraid of any fiery tryals, ¹that wee should reioyce when wee fall into diuers temptations. And the Apostle yeeldeth two good reasons. First, because thereby our faith is refined. ⟨p. 73⟩Other weapons, the more they are vsed, the worse they are: but it is otherwise with this shield of faith; the more blowes it receiues, the better it is. Secondly, these tryals doe worke patience, ²as is plaine in Iob, who by his meekenesse and humble submission vnto God vnder his grieuous crosses, did much honour the Lord; so that Satan is the lyer in all such conflicts.

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