A29365:88
Babylons downfall a sermon lately preached at Westminster before sundry of the honourable House…
Babylons downfall a sermon lately preached at Westminster before sundry of the honourable House of Commons / by William Bridge ...
London: printed by I. N. for John Rothwell, 1641London: printed by I. N. for Iohn Rothwell, 1641
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
4. Consider this also, that if reformation be not now wrought, our sin and guilt will be greater then ever it was. This Parliament time is a Commencement time for good or evil; take a good work, and though it were never so private, and personal, yet if it pass in this house, it does commence national: so take an evil, and though it were never so private before, yet if it pass here, it will take an higher degree, and commence national wickedness; this is a fearful evil, and very dreadful, that a personal sin should become national. I know you are unwilling that any sin should steal it's degree; as therefore you do desire that no personal sin should become national, ⟨p. 23⟩I beseech you in Christs stead, let the reformation be full and perfect, and let every man say, Babylon shall fall, I also will have a hand in it, and shoulder at it. Down with it, down with it, even to the ground.
4. Consider this also, that if reformation be not now wrought, our sinne and guilt will be greater then ever it was. This Parliament time is a Commencement time for good or evill; take a good work, and though it were never so private, and personall, yet if it passe in this house, it does commence nationall: so take an evill, and though it were never so private before, yet if it passe here, it will take an higher degree, and commence nationall wickednesse; this is a fearefull evill, and very dreadfull, that a personall sinne should become nationall. I know you are unwilling that any sinne should steale it's degree; as therefore you doe desire that no personall sinne should become nationall, ⟨p. 23⟩I beseech you in Christs stead, let the reformation be full and perfect, and let every man say, Babylon shall fall, I also will have a hand in it, and shoulder at it. Downe with it, downe with it, even to the ground.
And if you be a Minister, you know your duty; only (as Luther phrases it) let your knowledge be incarnate into godly practice; good works are faith incarnate, knowledge incarnate. Now you read