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 serves for our comfort and encouragement in good works 3. ways.

Fourthly, this serves for our comfort and encouragement in good workes 3. wayes.

First, if God knows them, then they shall not be lost in the darkness of Secrecy. The counsel of Christ is, when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a Trumpet, ¹when thou prayest enter into thy closet, when thou fastest appear not unto men to fast. And least any should be discouraged, he as often subjoins, your Father seeth in secret. When the left hand knows not what the right hand doth, God knows what the right hand doth; he is nearer to us, then we are to our selves. But although our light (as Christ also adviseth) shines so before men, that they may see our good works; yet many men will ²send them to the Land of darkness, where all things are forgotten; often burying the works, while they who wrought them are alive. It is too usual to write the faults of others in brass, and their noblest undertakings and successes in the water or on the sand: Such is mans unrighteousness. But the point yields comfort still; No good work shall be lost in the darkness of oblivion: For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and ³labour of love, which ye have showed to his Name. Our works come up for a memorial before God, and are registered ⟨p. 16⟩⁴in Heaven for ever: Yea or many works (in despite of envy) he saith (as of the woman's anointing him.) Wheresoever this Gospel shall be preached in the ⁵whole world, there shall also this that you have done be told for a memorial of her. He hath and will answer the Prayer of every Nehemiah, Remember me, O my God, concerning