The gallants burden A sermon preached at Pauls Cross, the twenty nine of March,…The gallants burden A sermon preached at Paules Crosse, the twentie nine of March,…

Let no man wonder why God suffers the persecution of the Catholics in England, (the sins of the Amorites are not yet full) their wickedness is not yet complete; when it is, the divine revenge shall fall: They expected this day at the last change; God changed their expectation to folly: and as it was our grief,¹ that (Sol o•cubuit) our Sun-set, so it is our joy, wonder, (Nox nulla secuta est) no night followed. I hope his Prophecy is as false for the event, as I am sure his application is for the thing: we are neither those uncircumcised Amorites, unchristened Pagans, nor do we persecute the Catholics; except to have liberty of Law grow rich, purchase Lands, beard and brave the Ministers of God to their faces, be called Persecution: (Here I cannot but mention, what is well observed by a most reverend and honoured Judge of this land,² that) whereas have been 300. burnt by Q. Mary for Religion, there have scarce 30. Papists been executed by Q. Elizabeth for Treason: yet, I hope, there is some difference betwixt 300. and 30. Religion, and Treason; betwixt the five years reign of the one, and the 44. of the other. I know their rebellions, treasons, conspiracies, meet with execution, no persecution to their Religion: Happy would our Martyrs have thought themselves, if on such terms they might have redeemed their Consciences: no, the iniquities of Babel have filled up their measure rather, and their judgement long ago was not far off, and their damnation sleepeth not. Pererius is his own Prophet against us, we speak not against them of our selves, the Holy ghost ⟨p. 11⟩speaks for us, Who shall shortly consume that m•n of sin with the breath of his nostrils: Let their eyes stare for our overthrows, till they fall out of their unfortunate heads;³ God hath blessed, and the Balaam of Rome shall never be able to curse: only let not our zeal be wanting to our God, to our Church, to our selves, and God shall not be wanting to us, nor all the hosts, which he fights with: and once again, if need be, Coniurati venient in classica ven••) the Winds and Seas shall take our part: Let not our Peace make us wanton, nor our Wealth, proud; our help stands, in the name of God, not in Fortes and Swords.