A sermon of judgement preached at Pauls before the Honourable Lord Major and aldermen…A sermon of iudgement preached at Pauls before the Honourable Lord Maior and aldermen…

2. All those that fear God, that have lived among ungodly men, will also be sufficient witnesses against them. Alas! they must be put upon that same work which is very unpleasant to their thoughts, as Ministers are: They must witness before the Lord, that they did as friends and neighbours admonish them: that they gave them a good example, and endeavoured to walk in holiness before them; but alas! the most did but mock them, and call them Puritans and precise fools, and thought they made more ado ⟨p. 61⟩then needs for their salvation: They must be forced to testify, [Lord we would fain have drawn them with us to hear the word, and to read it, and to pray in their families, and to sanctify thy holy day, and take such happy Opportunities for their souls; But we could not get them to it; we did in our places what we were able, to give them the Example of a Godly Conversation, and they did but deride us; they were readier to mark every slip of our lives, and to observe all our Infirmities, and catch at any Accusation that was against us▪ then to follow us in any work of holy obedience, or care for our everlasting peace;] The •ord knows it is a most heavy thing to consider now, that poor neighbours must be fain to come in against those that they love so dearly and by their Testimony to Judge them ⟨p. 62⟩to perdition▪ Oh heavy case to think of, that a master must witness against his own servant. Yea a husband against his own wife, and a wife against her husband; yea parents against their own children, and say, [Lord, I taught them thy word, but they would not learn. I told them what would come on it, if they returned not to thee; I brought them to Sermons, and I prayed with them and for them. I frequently▪ minded them of these everlasting things▪ and of this dreadful day▪ which now they see. But youthful lusts and the temptations of the flesh and the Devil led them away, and I could never get them throughly and soundly to lay it to their hearts▪] Oh you that are parents, and friends, and neighbours, in the fear of God bestir you now that you may not be put to this at the day of Judgement