Christs coming opened in a sermon before the honourable house of commons in Margaret's…

And thirdly, §3When Christ comes with outward delivering mercy to a person or people, then he doth come at midnight also. It is said of Israel, that they went out of Egypt at midnight. God had promised deliverance a long time before, and they did all expect it; but who would have expected it at such a time as that was? And if we look into that last Chapter of Zechariah, we shall find, that the great deliverance of the Churches promised, is to be in one day, which shall be known to the Lord, not day nor night, but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light, verse 7. Who would expect light at evening? we all expect darkness at evening time; but at evening, when we look most for darkness, God hath promised this great light.

And thirdly, §3When Christ comes with outward delivering mercy to a person or people, then he doth come at midnight also. It is said of Israel, that they went out of Egypt at midnight. God had promised deliverance a long time before, and they did all expect it; but who would have expected it at such a time as that was? And if we look into that last Chapter of Zachary, we shall find, that the great deliverance of the Churches promised, is to be in one day, which shall be known to the Lord, not day nor night, but it shall come to passe, that at evening time it shall be light, verse 7. Who would expect light at evening? we all expect darknesse at evening time; but at evening, when we looke most for darknesse, God hath promised this great light.

And for Christs coming at the last, ye know what he says, I will come in an hour when ye look not for me. And for this great deliverance and victory which the Lord hath now given unto you, was it not at midnight? consider with your selves a little, remember the days of your former troubles, and were you ever in a more dark condition? were ye not all benighted? when were your enemies more high, and lofty? when were your friends more down and dejected? A night, a night, the Lord knows, a dark night was come upon us. Well, but now Christ comes with a seasonable, almost miraculous victory and deliverance. And this is Christs way and manner; He never comes to his people as a Bridegroom, but still he doth come at midnight, in all his comings still he doth come at midnight.