Babylons downfall a sermon lately preached at Westminster before sundry of the honourable House…

2. In that case, present your souls with that great trust that is committed to you, & put upon you. If a Minister when he is banding away his precious hours between this, and that play-book; or when he is most prodigal of his peoples time (for it is theirs not his) if then I say when he is most idle, and indisposed to those great services, he could but realize a Congregation, and present before him the many souls that depend upon him, and as it were hear them calling out unto him; O Sir, study, study for our souls, study for our eternity; certainly this would awaken, move, and put life into him. So if those that are in authority, and place of Magistracy, would but present themselves with those many thousands that have entrusted them with their liberties, estates, lives, I had almost said consciences, and eternities, surely it would be exceeding quickening, and helpful.

2. In that case, present your soules with that great trust that is comitted to you, & put upon you. If a Minister when he is banding away his pretious houres betweene this, and that play-book; or when he is most prodigall of his peoples time (for it is theirs not his) if then I say when hee is most idle, and indisposed to those great services, he could but realize a Congregation, and present before him the many soules that depend upon him, and as it were heare them calling out unto him; O Sir, study, study for our soules, study for our eternity; certainly this would awaken, move, and put life into him. So if those that are in authority, and place of Magistracie, would but present themselves with those many thousands that have entrusted them with their liberties, estates, lives, I had almost said consciences, and eternities, surely it would be exceeding quickning, and helpfull.

3. Consider your present opportunity. Opportunity once lost, is never recovered. My words shall know no flattery, never did England see a Parliament more fitted for the service and work of God, then this now is. A quiver so full of chosen and polished shafts for the Lords work. I have often thought that God would deal by our present Parliamentary assembly, as Sampson did deal with the Jaw-bone, wherewith he had slain heaps of the Philistines, which when he had done, he threw it away; but afterwards thirsting, and being