Two sermons preached at Northampton at two several assizes there The one in the…Two sermons preached at Northampton at two severall assises there The one in the…

Before I speak to the point, let me tell you, that I am right glad, that I have now in mine eye, such an honourable, noble, judicious, and understanding Auditory, who I know will do me right, were there now before me a number of drunkards, whore-masters, deboist swaggerers, scorners of Religion, sensual Epicures, Stigmatical scurrile jesters; O how would they take on, stamp, and play the Bedlams! how they would rage, rail, and cavil: though by the mercy of GOD, they should be no more able to overthrow by any sound reason what I say, then to remove the mightiest rock, when they are reeling drunk, ⟨p. 84⟩either with wine or malice. Now upon this occasion let me acquaint you with the truth, about this unhappy imputation, ordinarily laid by Protestants at large upon the power of godliness. Now a days,¹ every boisterous Nimrod, impure drunkard, and self-guilty wretch, is ready with great rage to fly in the face of every professor, with the imputation of puritanism; if he doth but look towards Religion, labour to keep a good conscience in all things, he is presently a Puritan, and through this name, many times by a malicious equivocation, they strike at the very heart of grace,² and power of godliness, at GODs best Servants, and the Kings best subjects. For there is none of them all, but in their sense, with all their hearts, they would be the strictest Puritans in a Country upon their beds of death; I mean, that their consciences should be enlightened, and they not sealed up with the spirit of slumber, like drunken Naball, for a day of vengeance. But let none here out of humour, malice, faction, or mistake, strain, and wrest, for I mean not,

Before I speake to the point, let me tell you, that I am right glad, that I have now in mine eye, such an honourable, noble, judicious, and understanding Auditory, who I know will doe me right, were there now before me a number of drunkards, whore-masters, deboist swaggerers, scorners of Religion, sensuall Epicures, Stigmaticall scurrill jesters; O how would they take on, stampe, and play the Bedlams! how they would rage, raile, and cavill: though by the mercy of GOD, they should be no more able to overthrow by any sound reason what I say, then to remove the mightiest rock, when they are reeling drunke, ⟨p. 84⟩