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…

Further in the second place, they who work for Christ shall be sure to meet with reproaches, slanders and oppositions from professed enemies. When ⟨p. 27⟩Nehemiah labours to restore Jerusalem, he is slandered ¹with rebellion. What will you rebel against the King, cry Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arabian. In a sense we may say of this reproach, as Hierome of heresy, it is such as doth not become a man to be patient under it. None ought to be so patient under it, as not to vindicate his loyalty, yet every one ought to be so patient under it, as not for fear of such aspersions to forsake his duty. Nehemiah confutes the slander, not by desisting from his work, but by the fairness and integrity of his work. By that time patience hath digested this or the like reproaches, you must look for scoffs. So in the same place, They laughed us to scorn (saith good Nehemiah) and derided us. ²In the fourth Chapter they are jeering again. What do these feeble Jews? Will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish that are burnt? Even that which they build if a Fox go up, he will even break down their stone-wall. Words as full of scorn, as profane wit or rancoured malice could make them. And the weight of these scoffs, did lie so heavy upon the spirit of Nehemiah, that he could not ease himself, but by breathing Heaven ward. Hear ³ô our God, for we are despised. Woe be unto those who by scoffing set Nehemiah's a praying Scoffs were never any match for prayers, nor ever will be. There is no greater argument of a desperate cause, nor clearer prognostic of ruin to such, then when they begin to deride. For though the patience of men may and ought to bear even this: yet the patience of God will not. When scoffers whet their tongues, then assuredly God ⟨p. 28⟩is whetting his Sword. Once more you have need of patience; for when you have borne reproach and derision daily, then look for contrary plottings and opposition. The Histories of Ezra and Nehemiah are so full of these, that I refer you to the whole. What, raising of Parties, What hiring of Councillors, What Letters to the Court, What bribing of Nehemiah's near friends to take them off, could do, was done, in opposition of his design.