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…

The Sentence in Judgement ⟨p. 171⟩will be, 1. Either on those that never had means to know Christ. 2. Or on those that had.

1. For the former, as it less concerneth us to enquire of their case, so is it more obscurely revealed to us in the Scripture. •t is certain that they shall be Judged according to their Use of the means which they had, Rom. 2.11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. and the Talents which they received, Mat. 25. But that it ever falleth out that he that hath but the One Talent of natural helps doth improve it to salvation, or that ever they who knew not Christ, are Justified and saved without that knowledge (being at age and use of reason) I find not in the Scriptures. I find indeed, that [As many as have sinned without Law, shall also perish without Law: and as many as have sinned in the Law, shall be Judged ⟨p. 172⟩by the Law, Rom. 2.12. But not that any are justified by the works of nature, such as are here said to be without Law. I find also, that [They have the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their Thoughts the mean while Accusing, or else Excusing one another, in the day when God shall Judge the secrets of men, by Jesus Christ, according to the Gospel] Rom. 2.15, 16. And I believe it is a just Excuse, and not an unjust which is here meant. But it will be but an Excuse so far as they were guiltless▪ and that will be but in tanto, and not in toto, in part only; and so not a full Justification. A Heathens conscience may excuse him from those sins which he was never guilty of; but not from all. But no more of them.