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…

3. Another witness that will testify against the ungodly at that day, will be their sinful companions; those that drew them into sin, or were drawn by them, or joined with them in it. Oh little do poor drunkards think, when they sit merrily in an Ale-house, that one of them must bear witness against another, and condemn one another▪ If they thought of ⟨p. 64⟩this, me thinks it should make them have less delight in that company: Those that now join with you in wickedness, shall then be forced to witness, [I confess Lord I did hear him swear and curse; I heard him deride those that feared the Lord, and make a jest of a holy life: I saw him in the Ale-house when he should be hearing the Word of God, or reading, or calling upon God, and preparing for this day: I joined with him in fleshly delights, in abusing thy creature and our own bodies.] Sinners; look your companions in the face the next time you are with them, and remember this that I now say; that those men shall give in Evidence against you, that now are your associates in all your mirth: Little thinketh the fornicator and lustful wanton, that their sinful mates must then bear ⟨p. 65⟩witness of that which they thought the dark had concealed, and tell their shame before all the world. But this must be the fruit of sin. Its meet that they who encouraged one another in sin, should condemn one another for it. And marvel not at it; for they shall be forced to it whether they will or no; Light will not then be hid: They may think to have some ease to their consciences, by accusing and condemning others. When Adam is questioned for his sin, he presently accuseth the woman, Gen. 3.12. when Judas his conscience was awakened, he runs to the Pharisees with the money that drew him to it, and they cast it back in his own face, and say, See thou to it, what is that to us? Mat. •7.4, 5, 6. Oh the cold comfort that sinners will have in one another at that day! and the little pleasure that they ⟨p. 66⟩will find in remembering their evil ways! Now when a fornicator or a worldling, or a merry voluptuous man is grown old, and cannot act all his sin again, he takes pleasure in remembering and telling others of his former folly; what he once was; and what he did; and the merry hours that he had; but then when sinners are come to themselves a little more, they will remember and tell one another of these things with another heart.