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…

Fourthly, this duty bids us be very cautious and watchful. When we come to be humbled for all our old sins, we had need take heed we do not renew our sins, and make debts while we come to get discharges. Our miscarriages in this duty may be such as will provoke God, while we come to pacific him, and fasten those judgements upon the Kingdoms, which we are seeking to remove. As therefore we are called to the duty ⟨p. 10⟩of fasting, so the duty calls to us, take heed how ye fast. This motion the Doctrine brings also, and cries with a mighty voice, take heed how ye fast. Why? Fasting and Prayer are a work, I, strong work, spiritual work. Therefore Christ who knows all our works, knows these above all. In a sense, all our Services in reference to God are eye-services; but on this service his eye is fixed, ¹as it was prayed about the Temple, Let thine eyes be open toward this house night and day. Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. To be in the midst, notes a Special presence. I will not only stand at the door, and look in; but I will come in amongst you, and into the midst of you, to take a view what all do, of all your Services: as well as to take delight in, and give assistance to, or concurrence with my faithful Servants. In the two and twentieth of Matthew it is said, That the King came in to the Feast to see ²the guests. And there quickly espied out a man, a single person (though but one, he could not escape in the throng unseen) that had not on a wedding garment. Surely Christ that King is come this day to the Fast, to see his mourners, and he will quickly espy every man in this Congregation, that hath not on him a mourning garment, that hath not in him a mourning heart. He knows when it is a Fast and when not, when it is his Fast, and when it is our Fast. As he questions, or rather upbraids the Jews, did ye at all fast unto me, even ³to me? As here he discovers it none of his Fast, by a failing in the end. So in the 58. Chapter of Isaiah, he discovers it to be none of his Fast by their failing in the manner, Is it such a Fast that I have chosen? He knows ⁴