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 was not Ahithophel as deep a Politician as the best of us? Answ. yet when Gods terrible stroke was upon his heart, all his cunning could not keep him from hanging himself.

But was not Achitophel as deep a Polititian as the best of vs? Answ. yet when Gods terrible stroke was vpon his heart, all his cunning could not keepe him from hanging himselfe.

Others there are that rest upon the multitude, and think themselves sufficiently sheltered from Gods plagues, if they have a great many to join with them. Object. §2Why should we not sport and game, and take our full pleasure upon the Sabbath? (say they:) doth not all the country so? If it be so dangerous, many others shall feel the smart of it as well as we. They shall so indeed: Answ. for in the beginning of this Psalm it is said They are all corrupt, all gone out of the way, there is none that doth good, no not one: so that there was as it were an universal conspiracy in evil; yet it is said of them all: There were they taken with fear. And at the last day, at the beholding of the terrible signs that shall appear, and at the hearing of the roaring of the sea, all nations shall quake and tremble: so that the multitude of offenders doth no whit better their case, nay that rather maketh it worse: for sometimes even where there is no peril, the very hearing of many sending forth bitter cries and lamentable complaints, is a sufficient terror: how much more then would it be, if we were plunged in misery with them? It is a cold comfort unto us to be told, You may safely go to such a town; for there all the houses are generally infected with the pestilence! and as small an encouragement is it for men to rush upon the committing of any sin, because all the world is addicted thereunto, and corrupted therewith. For, as the more are infected with the pestilence, the more are likely to die; & those that go unto them are sure ⟨p. 88⟩of more discomfort among them, and in danger to perish with them: so by how much the number of them is greater that are tainted with gross sins, the more likely to go to hellish torments; and such as will be their companions in evil, shall certainly be partakers with them in punishment: and the more reprobates are in hell together, the more hideous and woeful will their state be.