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

Thirdly, Use. 3 here is an use of instruction, that we should be very importunate for the obtaining of Gods favour in the pardoning of our sins: which earnestness that we may attain unto, let us use these two helps following, ¹which Davids example directeth us unto: First, let us labour that our hearts may thoroughly smite us, and that our consciences may evermore check us when we do offend: for wheresoever there is the check of conscience, §1it will make the party grow not only to hearty confession, but also to earnest petitions for grace and favour. The greater therefore is their folly, who when the Lord doth strike their drowsy consciences for any wickedness committed by them, will presently betake themselves to merry company, & so by jesting, and laughing, and drinking, and sporting, seek to drive away their melancholy fit, as they call it: but God meeteth with them accordingly: for when they will not take benefit by that merciful warning which he giveth them, they commonly fall to marvellous hardness of ⟨p. 15⟩heart, and after break forth into some horrible sin, which overwhelmeth them with shame and confusion. Let us therefore observe when the Lord smiteth our hearts, and with Peter get out of company speedily, and lament bitterly, that so we may turn the rebukes of our souls into holy requests, that the Lord would for give us, and not enter into judgement with us for our grievous provocations against his Majesty.

Thirdly, Vse. 3 heere is an vse of instruction, that we should be very importunate for the obtaining of Gods fauour in the pardoning of our sinnes: which earnestnes that we may attaine vnto, let vs vse these two helpes following, ¹which Dauids example directeth vs vnto: First, let vs labour that our hearts may thorowly smite vs, and that our consciences may euermore checke vs when we doe offend: for wheresoeuer there is the checke of conscience, §1it will make the party grow not onely to hartie confession, but also to earnest petitions for grace and fauour. The greater therefore is their follie, who when the Lord doth strike their drowsie consciences for any wickednesse committed by them, will presently betake themselues to merry company, & so by iesting, and laughing, and drinking, and sporting, seeke to driue away their melancholie fit, as they call it: but God meeteth with them accordingly: for when they will not take benefit by that mercifull warning which he giueth them, they commonly fall to maruellous hardnes of