Twelve Sermons, Sermon 6
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, & 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, wee may see how Christ healed a man, blind in his bodily sight, namely Bartimeu,s 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 hee sheweth himselfe to be the Phisition of the soule, and therefore the Sauiour of the Ephe 5. 23whole 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. It was builded againe in the dayes of Ahab, by Hiell the Bethelite, and remaineth at this daie with the rest of that Ios 6 1 Reg 16, 3 4holie 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 Cittie affourdeth many that beleeue in Christ. Ioh. 4. 39. And out of Galile, from whence they thought no good thing might come. Iohn 1. vers. 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 Scythian, 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 should 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 Rom 2. 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 kingdome of God: and therfore Math 19. 23beholde a miracle, as if at this daye, 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. Hee 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 Lions skinne, till his long eares detect his follie; or like the Crowe that is decked in others 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, appoynted 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 hee 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 saying, Eccle. 13. 23. 24.
Zaccheus was a Publican, and therefore rich: for Publicans must needs be rich, and Vsurers wil bee wealthie. But rich Publicans make poore Princes, and wealthy Vsurers make many beggers. In eueryevery Prouince there were manie Publicans, and therefore much poore people in eueryevery place: for where there be many Caterpillers, the fruit is soone consumed, and where there bee many extortioners, beggers must needs abound.
By the Lawe of GOD, there might be no beggers in Israell, Deut 15but when so many Publicans were suffered to receiue tribute of the Iewes contrarie to Gods Lawe, no maruaile though so many sate and begged, contrarie to Gods Law. 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 Christiā Common-wealth, contrary to the Lawe of Christ, Luke 6. 35. no maruaile Leuit 35. 36 37 Mark 14. 7though we hauehave so many beggers, contrariy to the minde of Christ. The poore (saith Christ) ye shall hauehave alwaies with you, but when you will you may do them good and we shal be sure to hauehave the poore amongest vsus alwaies, but wee must make such good prouision for them, that they bee not faine Psalm 37to beg their bread.
Thus was Zaccheus rich to himselfe, for hee was a Publican, but he was rich toward God also, for he had a desire to Luke 12. 21see Christ. Almighty God, who is rich in mercy, Eph. 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 earthlie profit, is nowe like olde Simeon, most desirous to see his Sauiour. The Tetrarch Herod desired to see Christ, and despised him vvhen hee sawe him. Luk. 23. 8. 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 seruant of Sathan, Zaccheus is nowe become the childe of Abraham, vvhichwhich reioiced to see the daye of Christ. Hoppie were his eies that sawe so blessed a sight, for many Prophets and righteous men hauehave desired to see and to heare those things 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, vvhose hap it was, not only to see (as Iacob did) but to reioice (as Mary did) in Christ his Sauiour.
As Zacheus vvas desirous to see Christ in earth, so I would hauehave the rich men of our time, desirous to see Christ in heauen. For although vvith the eies of our body vve cannot see Christ as Zaccheus did, yet vvith the eyes of our faith vve may behold him as Stephen did, Acts 7. But if our faith bee so vveake sighted that vve cannot see Christ, yet let vsus hauehave a desire to heare Christ in his vvord, vvhereby 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 vvisedom of Salomon, so let vsus be desirous to heare the vvisdome of Christ our sauiour.
King Salomon left some bookes in vvriting, vvherein is seene some part of his vvisedome, and Christ our king, hath left vntounto vsus his most sacred vvorde, as it vvere a taste of his vvisdom, sufficient matter for our saluation. This is that heauenly Iohn 20. 31food, Math. 4. 4. vvhereby our soules are fed vntounto eternall life, let vsus therefore labour for that heauenly foode: and as the Israelites vvere carefull to gather Manna to sustaine Exod 16their bodies, so let vsus bee as carefull to heare the vvorde to feede our soules. The people in the time of Christ, Iohn 6. 24. tooke great paines to followe Christ both by lande and sea, and many now a dales (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 yet 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 Two impediments.to hinder his honest enterprise: The prease of the people, and his little stature. Whereof the former, that is, the multitude, is alwaies wont to be an enemie 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 hindered them that brought the man sick of the Palsie, 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 a side 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 maide to life. Finally, this hindered Zaccheus here from comming vntounto Christ, til Christ vouchsafed to call him to himselfe. Thus alwaies 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 truth. Exod. 23.
The second impediment that hindereth Zaccheus from seeing Christ, is his little stature. Hee was so lowe of stature, that he could not see Christ aboue the multitude: but Christ was aboue the multitude, and therfore could see Zaccheus though he were so lowe of stature. For God looketh 1. Sam 16. 7not on the coūtenance, nor on the height of a mans stature, but the Lorde beholdeth the heart, and preferred little Dauid 1. Sā 16. 12before 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 Zacheus two lets: that he could not see Christ, the one in the people, the other in himselfe: and wee hauehave manie lettes to withdrawe vsus from Christ, some are externall, and without vsus, as the inticements of the worlde, and some are internall and within vsus, as the lustes of our owne flesh. The prease of the people hindereth Zaccheus from seeing Christ in his humilitie, and the multitude of our sinnes Esay 59. 2doe presse vsus downe, that wee cannot see Christ in glorie. Zaccheus was a man of little stature, and that hindered him from seeing Christ in earth, and we are men of little faith, & 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, he 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 low 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 minde. 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 19but also climbe vp into a tree to see Christ: A strange thing that Zaccheus a rich man, and a cheefe 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 committe such thinges as were not fitting for his state and credite So they that will followe Christ, Rom 18must make account to doe many thinges 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 content to leaue the reputation which we hauehave with men to go vp to him?
But alas, where is there any almost, that preferreth not the fruition of this earthly prison, before the profession 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 of another minde, for being a publique officer, he climbes into a tree, which stood not with his grauitie: and being a rich man, he runs to see Christ, which was not for his worldly profite; yea he takes great paines to see Christ, not respecting his ease 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 neede require) as Zacheus did: that is, to take some paine and trauaile to hauehave a sight of Christ.Math 3. 22 Luke 14. 29 1. King 10
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 heare one that is greater then Salomon.
The people in Dauids time brought so much treasure, and 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 very time mispent which is imployed 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 vp into a tree, that groweth in the way where he 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 will climbe vp by a liuely faith, which is the tree of life, that groweth in the way to eternall life, that so with the eyes of our faith, we may beholde him that died for our sinnes vponupon a tree.
It was a wilde figge tree that Zaccheus climbed, but not like that vnfruitfull one which our Sauiour curfed: for this Math 21. 19bare most pretious fruit, euen such as Christ himselfe vouchsafed to plucke. A happie tree that bare such pretious fruite as Zaccheus was, but thrise happie Zaccheus, that so happilie climbed on that happie tree.
This tree grew 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 shewe himselfe vntounto vsus, that is, in his holy Temple, where his word is duely preached, and his sacraments reuerently administred, for where two or three are Math 18. 20so gathered together, hee hath promised to bee present amongst them.
The third circumstance.
When Christ came to the place, he looked vp & saw Zacheus.
As Zaccheus ranne before to see Christ, so Christ followed after to see Zaccheus. Sathan for his part went about 1. Pet 5. 8 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 heart 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 bene 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 Hester 4out his golden Scepter: so no man may come to Christ, vnlesse 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 minde to come vntounto him, hee is content to come first vntounto vsus. And like that good Father, Luke 15. to behold vsus while wee are yet a great way off, and to hauehave compassion on vsus.
When Iobs three friendes that came to visite him in his Iob 2. 12great calamitie, lift vp their eies a farre off, they knewe not Iob, 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 Iohn 1was, he hath respect vntounto them. And if they hauehave a desire to seeke, they shall be sure to find, Math. 7. And if they labour and are heauie laden, he wil refresh them, Matth. 11. Christ is now come to the place where Zacheus is to be called; and as Abraham, Gene. 22. lift vp his eyes 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 owne selfe vntounto him. This was more than 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. 13of 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 Gen 28. 20rich 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 Rom 10. 20 Esay 55sinners of the Gentiles, seek the Lord as Zaccheus did, while he may be found, & 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. Now Christ begins to call Zaccheus from the tree to be 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 we 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 Actes 17heare some newes. Who make more shewe of conscience and religion, then they that shew themselues most irreligious and vnconscionable? Who seemed more confident and vertuous in Christ his cause then Peter? and not long after, Math 26.who more trayterous and faint-hearted?
Many can say with Peter, that they will not sticke to dye before they will deny Christ, but when it comes to the trial, they are ready to abiure Christ and his religion, before they will hazard either life or liuing.
He that will come to Christ, must come at once, without delay, for delayes (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 Eccle 5. 7from day to day, least the wrath of the Lord breake foorth sodainly, and we be destroyed in our securitie, and perish in the time of vengeance. When the Lord is minded to doe vsus good, he will hauehave vsus come quickly like Ioseph, Gen. 45. 9. that in the time of famine, would hauehave his father Iacob to come downe quickly vntounto him, to soiourne in Egypt, where there was some plentie of foode.
As the children of this world 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 debters 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 Luke. 14. 28the foolish builder) come short of our reckoning.
But why must Zaccheus come downe so hastily? euen to entertaine Christ into his house. For today (saith Christ) I must abide with thee. This was ioyfull newes to little Zaccheus. Not long before, hee wanted meanes to see Christ, but now 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 bene 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 presently, 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 friendes, by our beneficence and bountie 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 bewrayed their great arrogancie, in refusing to come being 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 be wray his great necessitie, and seeke for succour it a sinners hand.
Alas poore humble Sauiour, who though thou bee Lord of heauen & earth, as thou art the sonne of God, yet as thou art the sonne of man, hast not whereon to lay thy head, Matth. 8. How iustly did thy Prophet Ieremie wonder at thy humble pouertie, saying, O thou hope of Israel, the Sauiour Ierem 14thereof in the time of trouble, why art thou as a stranger in the land, or as one that passeth by to tarrie for anight? The sonne of God vouchsafeth to come; and that vnrequested, to a sinfull mans house a speciall fauour: but he disdaineth not to make his necessitie knowne vntounto him; O strange humilitie! Here therefore appeareth the singular humanitie & 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 voyce, yet he 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 heartes. For as Christ said to Zaccheus: 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 glorie may come in: so I say 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 voyce, harden not your heartes: as did the Israelites, Psal 95least if you harden your heartes, his voyce 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 dayes 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 sustentation 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 …. Reg 19the strength of this spirituall meate which heere I bring you, may be able to passe through the daungerous wayes of this troublesome world, vntounto Gods holy Mountaine, the hauen of all happines, whither he bring vsus that hath deerely 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.