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

Let us therefore sift our own hearts, and by these and the like fruits of pride, learn to judge what abundance of this poisoned sap there is within us. And then perceiving how liable we are unto many fearful strokes of God by reason thereof, let us carefully use these remedies following against the same.

Let vs therefore sifte our owne hearts, and by these and the like fruites of pride, learne to iudge what abundance of this poysoned sappe there is within vs. And then perceiuing how liable wee are vnto many fearefull stroakes of God by reason thereof, let vs carefully vse these remedies following against the same.

First, let us often search and try our own hearts, and works by the right rule, ¹that is, by the holy law of God: for none are lifted up, but such as do not know themselves: for if we rightly considered what we are, and what our actions are, it would take down all that foolish conceitedness, that is naturally ingrafted in us, and cause us to say with the Publican, Lord be merciful to me a sinner: and with Paul, Miserable man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death! ²he was alive; that is, thought himself alive, and in very good case, before the law came, & convinced him of his wretched corruptions, he was even as a blind man that fears nothing, though a man came running upon him with a sharp sword, or he were ready to fall down violently from an high and dangerous rock, he would never be daunted at the matter, nor one whit moved, because he sees not that he is in any danger: such was Pauls case, and ⟨p. 27⟩such is the state of every unregenerate man: but when Gods law is once pressed upon the conscience, by the lively working of the holy Ghost, it enlightens the mind, and makes men see their own sinfulness, as Paul did, which is an excellent means to kill all proud and lofty conceits. If therefore we desire to be rid of this hateful and hurtful companion, I mean pride, let us often and earnestly examine our selves by this straight rule of Gods law: we are given to try our selves often by examining whether we be not better than such a man, or such a woman, but this is a false and a deceitful rule: for a man may be better than such and such, and yet be stark naught.