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

Thirdly, Reas. 3 Christ loves to come so, as he may be most welcome to his people; and the less expected, the more welcome many times: and when is he less expected then at midnight? If a man be in extremity of misery, and a friend comes to visit him, then he doth not only bid him welcome, but admires his love: Oh! Sir, could you find in your heart to come to me now? what! now at midnight? this is love indeed. Christ comes to be admired of all that believe, (says the Scripture) and therefore, when his people are in the dark, in a dark night, then he chooses to come, and then especially; and then a mans heart doth melt with love to ⟨p. 11⟩Christ: Oh! what a gracious Saviour have I, that could find in his heart to find me out with his mercy in this dark condition, in this unexpected time! His time is not as our time, as his thoughts are not as ours. Christ is the good Samaritan, he will pour wine and oil into the bleeding wounds of his servants, but he will first let the Priest pass by, and the Levite pass by, and such means and helps pass by, which we ordinarily expect comfort from; and when we have none from them, then says he, now is a time for me; but by that time all other helps are passed by, it will be midnight; but though it be midnight (says Christ) it is all one to me, for I create light, and my thoughts, and my times, are not as mans are. And though man come with help and succour in the day time, yet I will come at midnight. Oh! Applic. what glorious dispensations of love and mercy is here!

Thirdly, Reas. 3 Christ loves to come so, as he may be most welcome to his people; and the lesse expected, the more welcome many times: and when is he lesse expected then at midnight? If a man be in extremity of misery, and a friend comes to visit him, then he doth not onely bid him welcome, but admires his love: Oh! Sir, could you find in your heart to come to me now? what! now at midnight? this is love indeed. Christ comes to be admired of all that beleeve, (sayes the Scripture) and therefore, when his people are in the darke, in a darke night, then he chooses to come, and then especially; and then a mans heart doth melt with love to ⟨p. 11⟩Christ: Oh! what a gracious Saviour have I, that could find in his heart to find me out with his mercy in this darke condition, in this unexpected time! His time is not as our time, as his thoughts are not as ours. Christ is the good Samaritan, he will poure wine and oyle into the bleeding wounds of his servants, but he will first let the Priest passe by, and the Levite passe by, and such meanes and helpes passe by, which we ordinarily expect comfort from; and when we have none from them, then sayes he, now is a time for me; but by that time all other helpes are passed by, it will be midnight; but though it be midnight (sayes Christ) it is all one to me, for I create light, and my thoughts, and my times, are not as mans are. And though man come with help and succour in the day time, yet I will come at midnight. Oh! Applic. what glorious dispensations of love and mercy is here!