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…

If any first demand, Whether the Evidence of their sin will not so overwhelm the sinner, that he will be speechless and past excuse? I answ. Before God hath done with him, he will be so; But it seems, at first his dark understanding, and partial corrupted conscience will set him upon a vain Defence. For Mat. 7.22, 23. Christ telleth us, that [Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name have ⟨p. 93⟩cast out Devils, and in thy name have done many wonderful works? And then will I profess to them, I never knew you, Depart from me, ye workers of Iniquity.] And in Mat. 25.11. The foolish Virgins cry, [Lord, Lord, open to us.] And vers. 44. [Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord when saw we thee an hungered, or thirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick▪ or in prison, and did not Minister unto thee?] And vers. 24, 25. They fear not to cast some of the cause of their neglect on God himself. [Then he which had received the one Talent came and said, Lord I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed; and I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth; lo, there thou hast that is thine.]

If any first demand, Whether the Evidence of their sin will not so overwhelm the sinner, that he will be speechless and past excuse? I answ. Before God hath done with him, he will be so; But it seems, at first his dark understanding, and partial corrupted conscience will set him upon a vain Defence. For Mat. 7.22, 23. Christ telleth us, that [Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name have ⟨p. 93⟩cast out Devils, and in thy name have done many wonderful works? And then will I profess to them, I never knew you, Depart from me, ye workers of Iniquity.] And in Mat. 25.11. The foolish Virgins cry, [Lord, Lord, open to us.] And vers. 44. [Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord when saw we thee an hungred, or thirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick or in prison, and did not Minister unto thee?] And vers. 24, 25. They fear not to cast some of the cause of their neglect on God himself. [Then he which had received the one Talent came and said, Lord I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed; and I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth; lo, there thou hast that is thine.]