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

Which may serve to discover unto us their folly that are so far from submitting themselves to Gods chastisements, that they cannot endure his rebukes. Let any man of God admonish them, and they are ready to fly in his face. What hath he to do with me? (say they) let him meddle with his own matters. I will not take it at his hands: with many bitter speeches of that kind, which argue in them great distemper and vexation of mind. And let a man tell them in never so great love, that if they do not amend, their sins will abroad to their disgrace: their friends will grieve at them, their adversaries will reproach them, and all cry shame upon them; yet they will be no whit pacified, but rather enraged against the admonisher, not caring what be thought or spoken against them, so Christians may not reprove them.

Which may serue to discouer vnto vs their folly that are so farre from submitting themselues to Gods chastisements, that they cannot endure his rebukes. Let any man of God admonish them, and they are readie to flie in his face. What hath he to doe with me? (say they) let him meddle with his owne matters. I will not take it at his hands: with many bitter speeches of that kinde, which argue in them great distemper and vexation of minde. And let a man tell them in neuer so great loue, that if they doe not amend, their sinnes will abroad to their disgrace: their friends will grieue at them, their aduersaries will reproach them, and all cry shame vpon them; yet they will be no whit pacified, but rather enraged against the admonisher, not caring what be thought or spoken against them, so Christians may not reprooue them.

Hence is it that men are so loath to be under any Christian government, Use. 1 where they must be instructed how to do well, and rebuked if they do not well: they will none of it: to live in such a family or congregation where they shall be catechized, and restrained from the breach of the Sabbath, and other lewd courses, they will never endure it; but will choose rather to be under the government of Antichrist, and of Satan himself, then of Christ Jesus: Let their masters be Papists, cruel oppressors, as savage tyrants as Pharaoh was, they will rather dwell with them, then with godly and religious governors, that would use them most kindly, and reward them most liberally for their service. Such were the Israelites. Moses (as the Lord testifieth of him) was the meekest man upon the earth, and withal a most wise and courageous Ruler: yet would they rather have been every day under the whip in Egypt, then under Gods gracious government which was executed by Moses. And as these are here to be condemned of great want of wisdom, that will not submit