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

SIR, it is a point well known unto your Worship, that in duties of absolute necessity we must regard what God doth command and enjoin, not what men do approve and like of: and that we must still offer up our service in obedience to the Almighty, whatsoever men do think or speak of us. As for this work of publishing the labours of such faithful and painful Ministers, as desire rather to spend their time in preaching, then in writing, I take it not to be a duty of that kind: ⟨image 3⟩but of an inferior nature; wherein the acceptance or disallowance of those that are godly wise, should have a great stroke, either for encouragement to proceed in it, or for discouragement to desist from it. Herein having made some trial, I have (through Gods blessing) found success beyond my expectation: which as it ministereth unto me matter of much rejoicing, in regard there are many thousands in Israel, who desire and embrace the sincere & plain doctrine of the Gospel; so doth it set an edge on my desires to take up some vacant hours in this employment: being right glad, if by any means I may be an helper to the truth, and an instrument of refreshing hungerbitten souls, by conveying unto them some baskets full of such fragments, as may be communicated without any detriment or disadvantage to my self, or to any else. These Sermons I have made bold to recommend unto your favourable acceptance and patronage, not only in regard of the interest which you have ⟨image 3⟩