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

From this lamentable complaint of his, ariseth this doctrine, that

No outward thing comes nearer the hearts of God children, Doct. 2 ¹then the decay of good men.

No outward thing comes neerer the hearts of God children, Doct. 2 ¹then the decay of good men.

1. 1want of good men much to be lamented.

It much troubleth the souls of godly men, to see a small number of Christians. Hence proceedeth that lamentation of the Prophet Micah: Woe is me, for I am as the Summer gatherings, ¹&c: or, I am in case, as in the destruction of the Summer fruits: as in Hosea it is said, ²The fishes of the Sea shall be gathered: that is, destroyed: and that this is the sense, it appeareth in the words following, when it is said, There is no cluster to eat: My soul desired the first ripe fruits: that is, I am as one that hath a fervent longing for them, and yet can get none of them; and what is the reason of this his lamentation? The good man (saith he) is perished out of the earth, and there is none righteous among men, &c. So that the effect of those words is thus much: that look how worldlings would grieve, if they should see their grapes and figs (which were special commodities in those countries) to fail, and their expectation that way to be utterly frustrate; so, and much more bitterly did the Prophet bewail the loss of good & righteous men. That was it also that did so pierce the heart of Elijah. Lord (saith he) the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, broken down thy Altars,