The works of Ephesus explained in a sermon before the honourable House of Commons…The workes of Ephesus explained in a sermon before the honovrable House of Commons…

Heathens may, but believers cannot quite give up their work, because of the contradiction of sinners. And hence he becomes a man of strife. For in the close of that verse he shows, that he had avoided all other occasions, I ¹have neither lent on usury, nor men have lent to me on usury, as if he had said, I kept my self exactly within the bounds of my calling, I have not troubled my self or this people with any other matters: I have not entangled my self in any of the affairs of this life, which ²he expresses by the Synecdoche of not lending upon usury: and yet he was a man of contention. On the same terms we have many men of contention at this day. But as it was commanded Jeremiah by the Lord in that Chapter, ³so may we say to these for all the clamours of men, Let them return unto you, but do not you return unto them. For, do they strive against sin? It is their duty. Do they oppose error? they are called to it. Do ⟨p. 50⟩they beat down superstitious vanities? God commands it: Can they not bear evil? It commends them to God: To agree with men thus were to conspire against Christ. Such peace on Earth is war with Heaven. And we may answer all men, who would have us quiet with evil, as that Sword did to those who said unto it, O thou Sword of the Lord, how long ⁴will it be ere thou be quiet? put up thy self into thy scabbard, rest and be still. How can we be quiet, seeing the Lord hath given us a charge against Askelon, and against the Sea-shore (of Babylon) there he hath appointed us. He hath given all his people a charge against iniquity, against every evil, there he hath appointed them. And may this Sword and Bow of all the upright in heart, be like the bow of Jonathan, and the Sword of ⁵Saul, not turning back nor returning empty, from the blood of sin-slain, and from the fat of our mightiest corruptions both in Church and Common-wealth.

Heathens may, but beleevers cannot quite give up their worke, because of the contradiction of sinners. And hence he becomes a man of strife. For in the close of that verse he shewes, that he had avoided all other occasions, I