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

And does it argue love, for one man to sit up and wait for another? and not love in our souls to sit up and watch, and wait for Christ? Christ loves to see our love exercised; and therefore says he, though I intend to save, and help such a person, yet I'll stay, and stay long; I will not help him presently, I'll suffer a night, a dark night to come upon him, so shall I see his love in waiting for me.

And does it argue love, for one man to sit up and waite for another? and not love in our soules to sit up and watch, and waite for Christ? Christ loves to see our love exercised; and therefore sayes he, though I intend to save, and helpe such a person, yet I'le stay, and stay long; I will not helpe him presently, I'le suffer a night, a darke night to come upon him, so shall I see his love in waiting for me.

Secondly, Reas. 2 Christ loves to show mercy to his people in such a way, as he may hide pride from men; he would not have his people to be proud of mercies. And upon this account says the text, in the 33. of Job. He seals on instruction in the night, that he may hide pride from man. When a man is awake, he tries things by reason, and if reason like them, then they do pass for currant; if reason don't approve them, then they will be rejected: but in a dream, in a deep sleep, the mind receives things, not examining them by reason. Now in the great things of God, the less hand reason hath, and the more Faith, ¹the better. Reasons going before Faith, do diminish it; but Reasons following Faith, strengthen it, say the Schools. Faith ennobles a work. The more a man ushers in a business with his own reason, the more apt to be proud thereon: but in a dream, in a deep sleep, there is little of reason to be used, and therefore in a deep sleep he comes upon us, that he may hide pride from us.

Secondly, Reas. 2 Christ loves to shew mercy to his people in such a way, as he may hide pride from men; he would not have his people to be proud of mercies. And upon this account sayes the text, in the 33. of Job. He seales on instruction in the night, that he may hide pride from man. When a man is awake, he tryes things by reason, and if reason like them, then they do passe for currant; if reason don't approve them, then they will be rejected: but in a dreame, in a deep sleep, the mind receives things, not examining them by reason. Now in the great things of God, the lesse hand reason hath, and the more Faith,