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, men cannot speak what they would, Reasons. 1 but what the Lord will, according to that of Solomon: The preparations of the heart are in man: that is, ¹a man determineth and prepareth what to utter: but the answer of the tongue is of the Lord. As who should say, When a man hath done so, yet he shall speak, not what he himself intended, but what God hath decreed; as is plain in Balaam, who came with a purpose to curse, and if the Lord had permitted him, he would have vomited out horrible imprecations against the Israelites; for that would have made for his credit and commodity: ²but notwithstanding his intent, the Lord made him to bless his people in stead of cursing them. And so Saul, he would have all men know that David was a Traitor, and therefore he pursued him, to bereave him of his life: yet when he met with him, he had no power so much as to rate him, or to rebuke him; but on the contrary part, is driven to justify him: O my son David (saith he) thou art more righteous then I. And this we may observe in our own experience, that oftentimes men, contrary to their minds, do utter things which do exceedingly grieve them, and bury other things in silence, the speaking whereof might have been very behoovefull unto them: whence do arise these and the like speeches, How was I overseen in that which I said? What an advantage did I lose at such a time? which doth plainly prove, that God hath the disposing of mens tongues.

First, men cannot speake what they would, Reasons. 1 but what the Lord will, according to that of Salomon: The preparations of the heart are in man: that is, ¹a man determineth and prepareth what to vtter: but the answer of the tongue is of the Lord. As who should say, When a man hath done so, yet he shall speake, not what he himselfe intended, but what God hath decreed; as is plaine in Balaam, who came with a purpose to curse, and if the Lord had permitted him, he would haue vomited out horrible imprecations against the Israelites; for that would haue made for his credit and commoditie: ²but notwithstanding his intent, the Lord made him to blesse his people in stead of cursing them. And so Saul, he would haue all men know that Dauid was a Traitor, and therefore he pursued him, to bereaue him of his life: yet when he met with him, he had no power so much as to rate him, or to rebuke him; but on the contrarie part, is driuen to iustifie him: O my sonne Dauid (saith he) thou art more righteous then I. And this we may obserue in our owne experience, that oftentimes men, contrary to their mindes, doe vtter things which doe exceedingly grieue them, and bury other things in silence, the speaking whereof might haue beene very behoouefull vnto them: whence do arise these and the like speeches, How was I ouerseene in that which I said? What an aduantage did I lose at such a time? which doth plainly prooue, that God hath the disposing of mens tongues.