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. Moreover, it was not in the power of any of those baits to force your will, or to necessitate you to chose them: They could be but Baits to entice you; and it was still in your own choice, whether you would yield to the enticement, ⟨p. 137⟩and choose them or not. Shall every man be false to God, that hath any bait to entice him from him? will you excuse your child or friend, if he would be false to you, upon as great enticements as these? If a cup of drink, or a where, or a little gain, could draw him more then all your love and interest, I do not think you would hold him excused.

4. And whereas you speak of the Nearness and Continuance of these allurements, I would fain know, was not God as Near you, and Continually near you, to draw you to himself? Faith might have seen him, though flesh and blood cannot. Did he not stand by you when you were in your cups, and lustful Pleasures? Did he not tell you of the danger, and offer you far better things, if you would obey him and despise those baits? But you would hearken to ⟨p. 138⟩none of this; You should have remembered that he stood over you, and was looking on you; and you should have said as Joseph, Gen. 39.9. How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? You had also Scripture near you, and Reason near you, and Conscience near you, as well as the bait was near you. And therefore this is a vain Excuse.

4. And whereas you speak of the Ne•rness and Continuance of these allurements, I would fain know, was not God as Neer you, and Continually neer you, to draw you to himself? Faith might have seen him, though flesh and blood cannot. Did he not stand by you when you were in your cups, and lustful Pleasures? Did he not tell you of the danger, and offer you far better things, if you would obey him and despise those baits? But you would hearken to