Four Sermons, Sermon 5
THE SINNERS CONVERSION. The Text.
Luke 29. verses. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
1. Now when Iesus entred and passed through Iericho.
2. Behold there was a man named Zaccheus, which was the chiefe receiuer of the tribute, and he was rich:
3. And he sought to see Iesus, who he should be, and could not for the prease, because he was of a low stature.
4. Wherfore he ran before and climed vp into a wild fig tree, that he might see him for he should come that way.
5. And when Iesus came to the place, he looked vp, and sawe him, and said vntounto him, Zaccheus, come downe at once: for to day I must abide at thine house.
IN the end of the chapter before going, we may see howe Christ healed a man, blind in his bodily sight, namely Bartimeus, whereby he sheweth himselfe to be the Phisition of the bodie: Here wee shall see how hee cured one blinde in mind, namely Zaccheus, whereby the sheweth himselfe to Ephe. 5. 23be the Phisition of the soule, and therefore the Sauiour of the whole man.
In speaking of Zaccheus and his conuersion, we will obserue foure circumstances. First, the place where he was called, which was Iericho Secondly, the person that was called Zaccheus the Publican. Thirdly, by whom and how he was called, by the voice of Christ And lastly, the effect and fruit of his calling, his good confession.
The first circumstance.
First therefore for the place where hee was conuerted, it appeareth to bee Iericho, a Cittie not farre distant from Ierusalem. It was sometime a notable Cittie, till it was subuerted and ruinated by the Lordes Champion Iosua. Iosu. 6.It was builded againe in the dayes of Ahab, by Hiell the Bethelite, and remaineth at this daie with the rest of that 1 Reg. 16. 34holie land, vnderunder the Turkish Empire. VntoUnto this Iericho, the Lorde of heauen and earth vouchsafeth to come in the likenesse of a seruant. And as Iosua compassed Iericho seuen times minding to destroy it, so Christ the true Iosua, resorted oftentimes to Iericho, minding to saue it. But as in the destruction of Iericho, Iosua spared none but Rahab the harlot: so Iesus in his iourney to Iericho, conuerted none but Zaccheus the Publican. When Iosua had conquered & rased Iericho, he sowed salt in it to make it barren, and cursed him that should attempt to builde it vp: yet in this barren soyle Christ hath his spirituall haruest, and in this cursed Citie he hath a holy Temple, a blessed building. Samaria that wicked Citie affourdeth many that beleeue in Christ. Ioh. 4. 39. And out of Galile, from whence they thought no good thing might come, Iohn 1. verse 46. Christ called diuers of his Apostles, and euen in Iericho this cursed Cittie, Christ Iohn. 7. 52hath a rich mā that is to be saued. In eueryevery place Christ hath his chosen. There is neither Iew nor Gentile, Barbarian nor Seythian, bond nor free, but Christ is all in all, to all that call vponupon him, Rom. 10. 12.
The second circumstance.
Nowe followeth the description of Zaccheus, which is most plainly & fully set forth vntounto vsus. The holy Ghost speaking of Zaccheus and his conuersion, comes in with an Ecce, Behold, as if it were a wonder that Zaccheus shoulde bee conuerted. Zaccheus was a Gentile, a Publican, and a rich man, and therefore behold a miracle, as if in the conuersion of Zaccheus, these three should be conuerted at once.
Zaccheus was a Gentile, a meruaile to see a Gentile become Math. 19. 28a Iewe: that is, to beleeue in Christ. He was a principall Publican. A strange thing to see a chiefe Customer to giuegive ouer his office: and hee was rich also: a rare matter to see a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God: and therefore Rom. 2. 28beholde a miracle, as if at this daie, the Turke, the Pope, and the King of Spaine, were at once perswaded to forsake their idolatry and superstition. Christ going to Ierusalem, conuerteth a Gentile, to signifie the calling of the Gentiles: he conuerteth a Publican, to shew that notorious sinners may hope to be saued, if they repent and amend, as Zaccheus did. He conuerteth a rich man, to shewe that all rich men are not excluded from the kingdome of heauen.
Hee was called Zaccheus before his conuersion, but hee was neuer truely called Zaccheus till Christ called him so. His name signifying, simple, pure, honest; but his life was subtile, impure, and most detestable. Thus many are called by honest names, whose deedes bewray their dishonest natures, and vices oftentimes are shrowded in the habites of vertue, like Esops Asse, masking in the Lyons skinne, till his long eares detect his follie, or like the Crowe that is decked in other plumes, till eueryevery bird do plucke his feather.
Zaccheus by his profession was a Publican, and therefore much detested of the Iewes: for Publicans were the Romaine Officers, appointed to gather and receiue publique custome or tribute of the Iewes, who were at that time in subiection vntounto the Romaines. And amongst these Officers, Zaccheus was the chiefe, and (as it seemeth) Ouer-seer of the rest that were in Iericho, and therefore in chiefe hatred among the Iewes, as one that chiefely fauoured the Romans tyranny, and serued to abridge their countrie libertie, which ought not to be subiect to any nation.
Besides, he contemned the ceremonies of the Iewes, and regarded not their religion, nor liued after their lawe, and therefore with the rest of the Heathen Publicanes, was excommunicate out of their Synagogue, Math. 18.
Thus was hee hated for his profession, because h…e was a Publican, and for his religion, because hee was a Heathen. Yet was he beloued for his wealth, for rich men hauehave many friends. Prou. 14. 20. And though they do neuer so wickedly, yet hauehave they some to take their parts. If they speake neuer so proudely, yet are there some to praise their aying, duplicate page duplicate page Eccle. 13. 23. 24.
Zaccheus was a Publican, and therefore rich: for Publicans must needs be rich, and Vsurers will bee wealthie. But rich Publicans make poore princes, and wealthy Vsurers make many beggers. In eueryevery prouince there were manie Publicans and therfore much poore people in eueryevery place: for where there be many Caterpillers, the fruit is soon consumed, and where there bee many extortioners, beggers must needs abound.
By the Lawe of GOD, there might be no beggers in Israell, but when so many Publicans were suffered to receiue Deut. 15tribute of the Iewes contrary to Gods Lawe, no maruaile though so many sate and begged, contrary to Gods Lawe. Luke 18. Iohn 9. Acts 3. By the Lawe of God, There ought to be no beggers among christiās, Psal. 32. 25. but when so many vsurers are tolerated in a christian Common-wealth, contrary to the Lawe of Christ, Luke 6 35. no maruaile though wee hauehave so many beggers, contrarie to the minde Leuit. 35. 36. 37 Marke. 14. 7of Christ. The poore (saith Christ) yee shall hauehave alwaies with you, but when you will you may do them good: and we shall be sure to hauehave the poore amongst vsus alwaies, but wee must make such good prouision for them, that they bee not faine Psalm 37.to beg their bread.
Thus was Zaccheus rich to himselfe, for hee was a Publican, but he was rich toward God also, for hee had a desire to Luke. 12. 21.see Christ. Almighty God, who is rich in mercy, Ehp. 2. hath so inspired his heart with the desire of heauenly riches, that whereas before his whole delight was in seeking of worldly wealth, nowe his greatest care is to seeke for heauenly treasure. Hee now forgetteth what his profession is, and begins to be of a newe profession: and hee whose heart was whollie set vponupon earthly profit, is nowe like olde Simeon, most desirous to see his Sauiour. The Tetrarch Herod desired to see Christ, and despised him when hee saw him. Luke 23. …. 11. but Zaccheus the Publican, desired to see Christ, and reioiced when he saw him, like Abraham that desired to see the day of Christ, Iohn. 8. 56. and therefore of the seruaunt of Sathan, Zaccheus is nowe become the childe of Abraham, which reioyced to see the daye of Christ. Happie were hi… eyes that sawe soe blessed a sight, for manie Prophets and righteous men hauehave desired to see and to heare those thinges Luke. 10that Zaccheus both sawe and heard, and could not see nor heare the same. If Iacob thought himselfe happie, if that he might but see his son Ioseph before his death, then surely Gen. 45thrise happy Zaccheus whose hap it was not onelyonly to see (as Iacob did) but to reioyce (as Mary did) in christ his Sauiour
As Zaccheus was desirous to see christ in earth, so I would hauehave the rich men of our time, desirous to see Christ in heauen. For although with the eies of our bodie wee cannot see Christ as Zaccheus did, yet with the eyes of our faith wee may behold him as Stephen did, Acts. 7. But if our faith bee so weake sighted that we cannot see Christ, yet let vsus hauehave a desire to heare Christ in his word, whereby our faith may be increased, for faith cōmeth by hearing the word of God. Rom 10 1. Reg. 10And as the Queene of the South desired to heare the wisedome of Salomon, so let vsus be desirous to heare the wisdome of Christ our Sauiour.
King Salomon left some bookes in writing, wherein is seene some part of his wisdome, and Christ our King, hath left vntounto vsus his most sacred worde, as it were a taste of his Iohn. 20. 32wisedome, sufficient matter for our saluation, this is that heauenly foode, Math, 4. 4. whereby our soules are fed vntounto eternall lyfe, let vsus therefore labour for that heauenly foode: and as the Israelites were carefull to gather Manna to sustaine Exod 19their bodies, so let vsus bee as carefull to heare the worde to feede our soules. The people in the time of Christ, Iohn 6. 24. tooke great paines to follow Christ both by lande and sea, and many now a dayes (I confesse) are very forwarde to follow his faithfull ministers, but as they followed Christ so fast to fill their bellies, so these frequent sermons for fashion Iohn. 6. 26to serue the time.
Zaccheus is desirous to see Christ, a godly care, but yee he could not obtaine his purpose: a thing common; for eueryevery one that hath any good motion, hath alwayes some hinderance to crosse the same, and Zaccheus hath a double impediment to hinder his honest enterprise: The prease of the Two impediments.people, and his little stature. Whereof the former, that is, the multitude, is alwaies wont to be an enimie to those that would come to Christ. This hindered the blinde man from receiuing his sight, Luke. 18. for the people rebuked him that he should hold his peace, till Christ called him and opened his eyes. This hindred them that brought the man sick of the Paulsie, Mark. 2. for they could not come at Christ for the prease, till they vncouered the roofe of the house and let downe the bed wherein the sicke of the Palsey lay.
This hindered the healing of the deafe and dumbe, Mark. 7. till Christ tooke him aside out of the multitude, and cured him. This hindered the raising of the Rulers daughter, Mat. 9. till Christ had thrust out the Minstrels and the multitude, and then restored the may de to lyfe. Finally, this hindered Zaccheus here from comming vntounto Christ, till Christ vouchsafed to call him to himselfe. Thus alwayes a multitude that is prone to euill, doth withdraw and hinder vsus from approching vntounto Christ: and therefore we must not follow a multitude to doe euill, nor decline after many to ouerthrow the trueth. Exod. 23.
The second impediment that hindereth Zaccheus from seeing Christ, is his little stature. Hee was so lowe of stature, that hee could not see Christ aboue the multitude: but Christ was aboue the multitude, & therefore could see Zaccheus though he were so lowe of stature. For God looketh not on the countenance, nor on the height of a mans stature, 2. Sam. 16. 7 3. Sā. 16. 12but the Lorde beholdeth the heart, and preferred little Dauid before Eliab his eldest brother, because hee findeth in him a better heart to serue the Lorde. And Zaccheus in his little bodie, hath a heart and mind prepared to seeke and see the Lord. Zaccheus was so low that he could not see Christ, but manie amongst vsus are so high that they will not see Christ. The common people in time of Christ, were so desirous to follow Christ, that neither lamenesse, nor blindnesse, nor sicknes, could stay them from comming to him; but the common people in our time, are more readie to followe their sport and pastime, then to come to the church to heare of Christ. And as for our rich men, who seeth not that they will make great haste to see a commoditie, but will scarce come out of doores to heare a Sermon?
They come to Church, as Nichodemus came to Christ Iohn. 3. 2by night, as if they were ashamed to come to Church: but they runne after profit to get riches, as Geheziran after Naaman 2. King. 5the Syrian to get a bribe.
Thus hath Zaccheus two lets: that he could not see Christ, the one in the people, the other in himselfe: and wee hauehave many lets to withdrawe vsus from Christ, some are externall, and without vsus, as the inticements of the world, & some are internal and within vsus, as the lustes of our owne flesh. The prease of the people hindereth Zaccheus from seeing Christ Esa. 59…in his humility, and the multitude of our sinnes doe presse vsus downe, that we cannot see Christ in glory. Zaccheus was a man of little stature, & that hindred him from seeing Christ in earth, and wee are men of little faith, and that is the cause we cannot behold Christ in heauen.
Though Zaccheus was a man of little stature, yet it appeareth that he was not a man of little wit: For when hee could not come to the sight of Christ for the multitude, hee had the wit to run before, and to clime vp into a tree to obtaine his purpose. And for the most part it falleth out, that men of lowe stature, are men of high conceite, and the shortest bodies, hauehave the sharpest wits, God so prouiding, that the defects of their bodies might be supplied with the giftes of their mind. Now Zaccheus, that before was loth to moue his foote from the custome-house for losing his profite, beginnes to runne after Christ for feare of a greater losse, like Elisa that left his plowing, and ranne after Elias to follow his new vocation. But Zaccheus dooth not onelyonly runne, 1. Reg. 1…but also climbe vp into a tree to see Christ: A strange thing that Zaccheus a rich man, and a cheere customer, shoulde behaue himselfe so childishly in the sight of so great a multitude; but the desire he had to see Christ, made him forget himselfe: and to commit such thinges as were not fitting for his state and credite. So they that will followe Christ, Rom. 12must make account to doe many things contrarie to the fashion of the worlde, and their owne liking. If Christ himselfe were content to leaue the glorie which he had with his father to come downe to vsus, shall not wee bee contente to leaue the reputation which we hauehave with men to goe vp to him?
But alas, where is there any almost, that preferreth not the fruitiō of this earthly prison, before the possession of that heauenly mansion: and had rather hazarde the hope which they hauehave of eternall glory, then leese the present enioying of their fading pleasure.
The ambitious man hunteth after honor, and wil not leese an inch of his estimation. The couetous man seeks after profite, and countes (like Iudas) all lost that comes not to his Iohn 12. 6bagges. And the voluptuous man bestowes his time in pleasure, and thinketh that his chiefe felicitie. Thus eueryevery man makes his heauen of that wherein hee most delighteth, and is content to take great paines to accomplish his fonde desires. But here Zaccheus is as an other mind, for being a Publique officer, he climbes into a tree, which stood not with his grauity: and being a rich man, hee runs to see Christ, which was not for his worldlie profit; yea he takes great paynes to see Christ, not respecting his case or pleasure.
Thus must we be affected if we desire to come to Christ, that neither honours nor preferments, nor profite, nor pleasure, nor kindred, nor friendes, bee able to holde vsus backe: Wee must be readie not onelyonly to runne, but also to climbe (if need require) as Zaccheus did: that is, to take some paine Matth. 3. 22 Luke. 14. 29 1. King. 10.and trauaile to hauehave a sight of Christ.
The Queene of the South, vndertooke a great and tedious iourney to heare the wisedome of Salomon, but we are loth to take any paine to he are one that is greater then Salomon.
The people in Dauids time brought so much treasure, & so many gifts to the building of Gods Tēple, that the priests 1. Chr. 29. 9were faine to bid them cease, but a great part of the people in our time, are so sparing of their paines and coste, that they thinke that verie time mispent which is imploied in the seruice of God: and that money ill bestowed, which is giuen to the maintenance of his ministers.
When Zaccheus could not see Christ for the multitude, he climbes into a tree, that groweth in the way where hee was to passe, that from a tree he might behold him, which was to suffer on a tree for mans saluation. So when wee cannot drawe neere to Christ by reason of our sinnes that presse vsus down, we wil climb vp by a liuelie faith, which is the tree of life, that groweth in the way to eternall life, that so with the eyes of our faith, wee may beholde him that died for our sinnes vponupon a tree.
It was a wilde figge tree that Zaccheus climbed, but not Math. 21. 19like that vnfruitfull one which our Sauiour cursed: for this bare most pretious fruit, euen such as Christ himselfe vouchsafed to plucke. A happie tree that bare such pretious fruite as Zaccheus was, but thrice happie Zaccheus, that so happily climbed on that happy tree.
This tree grewe in the way that Christ was to passe, for else Zaccheus might hauehave climbed to no purpose: So if wee desire to finde Christ, we must seeke him in the way where he hath promised to shew himselfe vntounto vsus, that is, in his holie Temple, where his word is duely preached, and his sacraments reuerently administred, for where two or three are Mat. 18. 20so gathered together, hee hath promised to bee present amongst them,
The third circumstance.
When Christ came to the place, he looked vp and saw Zaccheus As Zaccheus ranne before to see Christ, so Christ followed after to see Zaccheus. Sathan for his parte went about 1. Pet. 58 Iohn. 10like a roaring Lyon, seeking to deuoure him, but Christ for his part goeth about like a good shepheard, minding to saue him. And although Sathan a strong armed man, had Luke. 11. 21taken some possession in the hart of Zaccheus, yet Christ a stronger then hee commeth vnarmed, and taketh from him his harnesse wherein he trusted, and rescueth the spoile.
Christ comes to the place where Zaccheus was, because otherwise it had beene vnpossible for Zaccheus to come to his presence: for vnlesse the Lorde vouchsafe to come vntounto vsus, wee cannot attaine to the presence of God. As no man might hauehave any accesse to King Assuerus, except hee stretched out his golden Scepter: so no man may come to Christ, Hester. 4vnlesse hee bee called by the golden Scepter of his sacred worde.
Christ looked vp and saw Zaccheus, before Zaccheus could looke downe to behold him. Thus doth the Lord preuent vsus with his merciemercy, whom he might cast off in his iustice: and if he perceiue in vsus a willing mind to come vntounto him, hee is content to come first vntounto vsus. And like that good Father, Luke 15. to behold vsus while we are yet a great way off, and to hauehave compassion on vsus.
When Iobs three friendes that came to visite him in his great calamitie, lift vp their eies a farre off, they knewe not Iob. 2. 12Iob, because he was so sore afflicted. But Christ who is the mirror of true friendship, cannot so soone forget his friends, howsoeuer they be disguised. He knoweth his owne sheepe wheresoeuer he seeth them, Ioh. 10. whether they be vnderunder the fig-tree as Nathaniel was, or vponupon the fig-tree as Zaccheus was, he hath respect vntounto them. And if they hauehave a desire Iohn. 1to seeke, they shall be sure to find, Math. 7. And if they labour and are heauy laden, he will refresh them, Matth. 11. Christ is now come to the place where Zaccheus is to be called; and as Abraham, Gene, 22. lift vp his eies and sawe in the bush a Ramme that was to be sacrificed, so Christ lifting vp his eyes, saw in the tree Zaccheus the sinner that was to be conuerted. And now begins the conuersion of Zaccheus, for now Christ begins to speake vntounto him.
Zaccheus desired onelyonly to see Christ, but now Christ calleth him by name, and offereth his own selfe vntounto him. This was more then Zaccheus expected, and yet no more than Christ vouchsafeth, namelie, to giuegive more than is desired. The sicke of the Palsey that asked health, obtained also forgiuenesse Luke. 5 1. King. 3 12. 13 Gen. 28. 30of sinnes. Salomon desired wisedome, and the Lord gaue him wisdom & abundance of wealth beside. Iacob asked but meat & clothing, and God made him a great rich man. And Zaccheus desired onelyonly to hauehave a sight of Christ, and was so happy as to entertaine him into his house.
Thus the Lorde that is rich in mercy to all that call vponupon Rom. 10. 12 Ephe. 2. 4 Ierem. 29him, vseth oftentimes to giuegive more then we aske: and hee that is alwaies founde of them that seeke him with their whole heart, is found also sometime of Gentiles that knewe not God, Esay. 65. 1. Let vsus therefore that were sometime sinners of the Gentiles, seek the lord as Zaccheus did, while Rom. 10. 20 Esay. 55he may be found, and call vponupon him while he is nigh. He will bee founde of them that seeke him hartily, and is nigh to all them that call vponupon him faithfully, Psal. 145. 18.
Zaccheus come downe at once. Nowe Christ begins to call Zaccheus from the tree to bee conuerted, as God called Adam from among the trees of the garden to be cursed, Gen. 3. Before, Zaccheus was too low, and therefore was faine to climbe, but now he is too high, and therefore he must come downe. And we (for the most part) are either too high, or too low, too hot, or too cold, too quicke, or too slouthfull in the Lords busines. Sometime wee flocke together to heare a Sermon, like the people, Luke 5. that pressed vponupon Christ to heare the worde: and anon wee runne to see some pleasant pastime, like the Athenians, whose eares alwaies itched to heare some newes. Who make more shewe of conscience Actes 17and religion, then they that shewe themselues most irreligious and vnconscionable? Who seemed more confident and vertuous in Christ his cause then Peter? and not long after, Math. 26who more trayterous and faint harted?
Many can say with Peter, that they will not sticke to die before they will deny Christ, but when it comes to the trial, they are ready to abiure Christ and his religion, before they wil hazard either life or liuing.
He that will come to Christ, must come at once, without delay, for delaies (specially in the matter of our saluation) are most dangerous, and repentance may not bee deferred. We must make no tarrying to turne vntounto the Lord, nor put off from day to day, least the wrath of the Lord breakeforth suddainly Eccle. 5. 7.and we bee destroied in our securitie, and perish in the time of vengeance. When the Lord is minded to do vsus good, he wil hauehave vsus come quickly like Ioseph. Gen. 45. 9. that in the time offamine, woulde hauehave his father Iacob to come downe quickly vntounto him, to soiourne in Egypt, where there was some plenty of food.
As the children of this worlde are very nimble to worke wickednesse, so the children of light should bee as nimble to follow goodnesse. Iudas was nimble to betray Christ, Iohn 13. 27. and the bad debtors, Luke 16. could sit down quickly to misreckon their creditor: so let vsus come quicklie to heare of Christ, that Christ may accept of vsus quicklie; let vsus be nimble to make our account before, that we do not (like the foolish builder) come short of our reckoning.Luke, 14. 28
But why must Zaccheus come downe so hastily? euen to entertaine Christ into his house. For to day (saith Christ) I must abide with thee. This was ioyfull newes to little Zaccheus. Not long before, hee wanted meanes to see Christ, but nowe hee hath opportunitie to entertaine him into his house. There was more humanitie in Christ then in Zaccheus: for if Christ had not bidden himselfe to dinner, he had not been bidden for Zaccheus. So if Christ doe not offer himselfe vntounto vsus in his afflicted members, he may goe long Math. 35. 40enough before we will offer him any entertainement. As often as the poore craueth any reliefe at our hands, let vsus imagine that Christ asketh something of vsus: but as Zaccheus must entertaine him presently without delay, so let vsus bee readie to helpe them presentlie, because they stand in neede of present helpe. And as hee must receiue Christ into his house, so we must make account to receiue his needy members into our houses. And as the vniust stewarde procureth Luke. 16himselfe friendes with his masters goods, so let vsus make the poore to be our friends, by our beneficence and bounty towardes them, that so receiuing them (when they hauehave need) into our earthly houses, they may receiue vsus when we stand in greatest neede, into euerlasting habitations.
They that were inuited to the marriage, Matth. 22. refused to come; but Christ is cōtent to come to Zaccheus house before he was inuited. Wherein also hee sheweth his great humilitie, in comming before he was requested, as they bewraied their great arrogancy, in refusing to come beeing solemnely bidden. It was a part of great humilitie, that he that was most free from sinne, would vouchsafe to come into a sinners house: but it was a signe of great humilitie, that he would bewray his great necessity, and seeke for succour at a sinners hand.
Alas poore humble Sauiour, who though thou be Lorde of heauen & earth, as thou art the sonne of God, yet as thou art the sonne of man, hast not whereon to lay thy heade, Matth. 8. Howe iustly did thy Prophet Ieremie wonder at thy humble pouertie, saying, O thou hope of Israel, the Sauiour therof in the time of trouble, why art thou as a stranger Ierem. 14in the land, or as one that passeth by to tarrie for a night? The sonne of God vouchsafeth to come, and that vnrequested, to a sinful mans house; a speciall fauour: but hee disdaineth not to make his necessitie knowne vntounto him; O strange humility! Here therefore appeareth the singular humanity & great humilitie of Christ to sinfull men; he offereth himselfe to be their guest, if hee finde them willing to entertaine him for their guest. And Zaccheus no doubt was willing to entertaine him, for although Christ heard not the voice, yet hee heard the affection of Zaccheus inuiting him to dinner. As therefore Zaccheus was willing to receiue Christ into his house, so let vsus be ready to receiue him into our hearts. For as Christ said to Zacheus: This day I must abide at thy house, so he saith to eueryevery one of vsus: This day I must abide in your heartes. Wherefore, as the Prophet Dauid saith, Open your Psalm. 24gates that the King of glory may come in: so I saie vntounto you, Open your hearts that the word of God may enter in. This day the word of God may abide in your hearts, for this day the word is preached vntounto you; and who knoweth whether hee shall liue to heare it the next Sabboth; To day therefore if ye will heare his voice, haraen not your hearts: as did the Israelites, psalm. 95least if you harden your heartes, his voice be heard no more amongst you. This day you may gather this heauenly Manna, as the Israelites might gather their Manna sixe daies Exod. 16together, but tomorrow (perhaps) and sixe daies after, you may not gather it, as on the seuenth day Manna might not be found. The Lord graunt that you may gather sufficient food for the sustentatiō of your soules, that as Elias the prophet iournied in the strength of the meate that the Angell brought him, euen vntounto Horeb the mount of God, so you in 1. Reg. 19the strength of this spiritual meate which heere I bring you, may bee able to passe through the dangerous waies of this troublesome worlde, vntounto Gods holy Mountaine, the hauen of all happines, whither he bring vsus that hath deerly bought vsus with his pretious bloud, euen Christ Iesus the righteous: to whome with the Father and the holy Ghost, three persons and one God, be giuen all glory and maiestie, world without end,
Amen.
FINIS.