The saints dignity and duty· Together with the danger of ignorance and hardness. /…The saints dignitie and dutie· Together with the danger of ignorance and hardnesse. /…

Oh, but will some say, what is this which you teach us? May not a man hear his carnal friends, may we not follow the advice that they give us? If we slight their counsel we may be undone, their anger may be such against us, that we shall not be able to bear it. To this Objection I will reply in a word. Will carnal friends be troubled and offended because their words are neglected, and will not the Lord Jesus Christ (think you) be horribly displeased, when his commands are despised? Assure your selves, my brethren, either you must hear the Lord Christ now as a Saviour, or you shall hear him hereafter as a Judge; either hear him now, so as to obey and do what he requires; or if you refuse to hear his counsel, expect to hear an horrible sentence thundered against you, when he shall sit as Judge at the last day, when all your carnal counsellors shall not be able to acquit you. You that are wives, and pretend that you must please your husbands, by submitting to their commands and desires; you that are husbands, and allege that you must give satisfaction to your wives; you that are Apprentices, and plead, that if you observe not your masters wills, but walk according to the rule of Gods word, you shall be thwarted by your masters, and driven to some great inconvenience; You that stand upon the humouring of your friends and acquaintance, consider it well; Will the persuasions, and counsels, and desires, and commands of a Father, or friend, or husband, or master, stand you in stead at the day of judgement? Will this be a satisfactory answer at that day, my husband entreated me, my friends counselled me, my master commanded me? No, my brethren, as you are brethren in iniquity, and causes of sin one to another, so you shall perish both together. Therefore knowing the terror of the Lord, let that scare you more then the anger and displeasure of all the friends in the world.

Oh, but will some say, what is this which you teach us? May not a man hear his carnall friends, may we not follow the advice that they give us? If we slight their counsell we may be undome, their anger may be such against us, that wee shall not be able to bear it. To this Objection I will reply in a word. Will carnall friends be troubled and offended because their words are neglected, and will not the Lord Jesus Christ (thinke you) be horribly displeased, when his commands are despised? Assure your selves, my brethren, either you must hear the Lord Christ now as a Saviour, or you shall hear him hereafter as a Judge; either hear him now, so as to obey and doe what he requires; or if you refuse to hear his counsel, expect to hear an horrible sentence thundred against you, when he shall sit as Judge at the last day, when all your carnall counsellours shall not be able to acquit you. You that are wives, and pretend that you must please your husbands, by submitting to their commands and desires; you that are husbands, and alledge that you must give satisfaction to your wives; you that are Apprentices, and plead, that if you observe not your masters wills, but walk according to the rule of Gods word, you shall be thwarted by your masters, and driven to some great inconvenience; You that stand upon the humoring of your friends and acquaintance, consider it well; Will the perswasions, and counsels, and desires, and commands of a Father, or friend, or husband, or master, stand you in stead at the day of judgement? Will this be a satisfactorie answer at that day, my husband intreated me, my friends counselled me, my master commanded me? No, my brethren, as you are brethren in iniquitie, and causes of sin one to another, so you shall perish both together. Therefore knowing the terror of the Lord, let that scare you more then the anger and displeasure of all the friends in the world.