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…

First, the patience of waiting upon God. Ye have need of ⟨p. 24⟩patience, that after the have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. Here is first doing the will of God, which includes the labour of the former point, Then comes patience. And why such need of that? The promise, that is, the good promised, cannot otherwise be received. Why not? I shall touch three reasons why?

First, the patience of waiting upon God. Ye have need of ⟨p. 24⟩patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. Here is first doing the will of God, which includes the labour of the former point, Then comes patience. And why such need of that? The promise, that is, the good promised, cannot otherwise be received. Why not? I shall touch three reasons why?

First, Though God never fails his own time, yet he seldom comes at ours. The Israelites in Egypt groaned long for deliverance; but as soon as the time preordained by God was come, they were delivered. He did not stay an hour beyond that. Hence it is observable, that the Lord smote the first borne of Egypt at ¹midnight, and why at midnight? because then exactly the 400. or 430. years of their captivity were expired, and they determining at midnight, God came presently, he deferred them not till Morning for their deliverance. It came to pass, saith Moses, at the end of the 430 years, even the self-same day it came to pass, that all the Hosts of the Lord came out from the Land of Egypt. So Belshazzar was slain in the night, In that night, &c. And why in that night? because then exactly the 70. years of the ²Jews captivity in Babylon were ended; And they ending at night, God stayed not till the Morning. We have a saying much like our selves, a day breaks no square, but it is not so with God. We read once of the shortening of the days of evil, but never of the lengthening of them. Thus God never fails his own time. And it is as true, that he seldom comes at ours. The Summer is ended, and we are not saved, say they in Jeremiah, they looked for salvation that Summer at furthest. We are short-breathed, and short-sighted, and so, very apt to ante-date the promises