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,…

Fathers and Brethren, help: Pity the miscarrying souls, that have no mercy on themselves: our Words are thought air, let your Hands compel them to the service of God:¹ The word of Information hath done his best, Where is the rod of Reformation? Let Moses Rod, second Aaron's Word. The loves of Sinners, the strength of Sins; nay, Principalities and Powers are against us, and we come armed with a few leaves of Paper: The keenest Sword is with us, but it is in our lips only, The sword of the Spirit; and though it can divide the Marrow and the bones, ²of an awaked Conscience, alas it moves not the stony hearts: it shall sooner double upon our selves, then enter such Mailed Consciences: our blows are filliped back in contempt: be not wanting ye that have the ordinance of God: You are his surrogates, and the Preachers hopes: good laws are made, the life-blood of them is the execution: the Law is else a wooden Dagger in a fair Sheath: when those that have the charge imposed, and the Sword in their hands, stand like the picture of S. George, with his hand up, but never striking: we complain not of the higher Magistrates, from the benches, of whose Judgement, impiety departs not without disgrace, without strokes: the blame lies on inferior Officers, who think their office well discharged, if they threaten offenders: these see, and will not see: Hence Beggars laze themselves in the fields of idleness; hence Taverns and Tap-houses swarm with Unthrifts; of whom, whether they put more sin into their bellies, or vomit more forth, is a hard question; I mean, whether their oaths, or ebrieties exceed: ⟨p. 29⟩Hence we look to have Vagrants suppressed, Idleness whipped, Drunkenness spoke withal; but the execution proves too often like the Jugglers feast, the Guests set, the table's furnished, meat in dishes, wine in flagons; but putting forth their hands to take them, they apprehend nothing but air.

Fathers and Breathren, helpe: Pittie the miscarrying soules, that haue no mercy on themselues: our Wordes are thought ayre, let your Hands compell them to the seruice of God:¹ The word of Information hath done his best, Where is the rodde of Reformation? Let Moses Rodde, second Aarons Word. The loues of Sinners, the strength of Sinnes; nay, Principalities and Powers are against vs, and we come armed with a few leaues of Paper: The keenest Sword is with vs, but it is in our lippes onely, The sword of the Spirit; and though it can deuide the Marrow and the bones,