CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

2. To take up what was hinted before, There was an hour and time for Christs discharging the work of a Prophet, and doing such Miracles as might confirm him to be a Messiah, as you heard, Joh. 2.4. and certainly in that Christ did not before publish himself to the world, but staid till Gods call came, till the time appointed by him; This should teach all, especially those that undertake a public Ministry to follow his example in humility and modesty; Christ himself though endowed with all wisdom took not his own time, but Gods time; and Paul would not have a novice taken into the Ministry, lest he should be puffed up with pride and fall into condemnation of the devil; 1 Tim. 3.6. We may justly wonder what Christ did all that time, as some have; What God did before he made the world, and although the Papists have feigned many things yet we must conclude he lived a private life, following the trade and profession of his Father, which made them say, Is not this the Carpenters Son? Mar. 6.5. And it's good to observe how diligent our Saviour was, while he had this hour to work, I must work while I have day, the night cometh and none can work, Joh. 9 4. Thus we should be like Bees gathering honey, while we have the Spring; get Manna in the morning while it falleth.

2. To take up what was hinted before, There was an hour and time for Christs discharging the work of a Prophet, and doing such Miracles as might confirm him to be a Messias, as you heard, Joh. 2.4. and certainly in that Christ did not before publish himself to the world, but staid till Gods call came, till the time appointed by him; This should teach all, especially those that undertake a publike Ministery to follow his example in humility and modesty; Christ himself though endowed with all wisedom took not his own time, but Gods time; and Paul would not have a novice taken into the Ministry, lest he should be puft up with pride and fall into condemnation of the devil; 1 Tim. 3.6. We may justly wonder what Christ did all that time, as some have; What God did before he made the world, and although the Papists have feigned many things yet we must conclude he lived a private life, following the trade and profession of his Father, which made them say, Is not this the Carpenters Sonne?