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

First, an use of instruction, Use. 1 that seeing the Lord is so incensed against proud boasters, therefore we should contain our selves within the compass of modesty, and never boast at all, but let others mouths, and our own works, and Gods voice at the last day praise us, and not our own lips: but especially let us take heed of vaunting our selves against the people of God, and against the Majesty of God himself; for that will least of all be endured.

First, an vse of instruction, Vse. 1 that seeing the Lord is so incensed against proud boasters, therefore wee should containe our selues within the compasse of modestie, and neuer boast at all, but let others mouthes, and our owne workes, and Gods voice at the last day praise vs, and not our owne lips: but especially let vs take heede of vaunting our selues against the people of God, and against the Maiestie of God himselfe; for that will least of all be endured.

Secondly, Use. 2 here is an use of consolation against all the insultations of malicious enemies: if we can with patience and modesty endure, and stand it out for a while, not returning like for like, nor using any sharpness and bitterness against them, we shall see that the Lord will cut them off. If a man had known the day before, what should have befallen Haman, notwithstanding all his boasting of his greatness, and of his honour, and of that favour which he had with the King, and of all the cuill that he intended against the Jews, and against Mordecai especially; if (I say) a man had known before hand what should have befallen him, would it not have made him laugh at his pride and folly? Yes certainly: and yet the case of all boasters against Gods Church is little or better then his. And if we could with the eye of faith behold Gods purpose concerning their ruin and overthrow, all their bragging would seem unto us, and it is indeed, even exceeding ridiculous. And this in particular should comfort us against the blasphemies of the Church of Rome, and against all her insultations over the Saints: for the Lord hath set down her sentence: ¹