Two Sermons, Title page 1 – Sermon 1
TVVO SERMONS PREACHED BY Maſter HENRY SMITH: with a Prayer for the morning thereunto adioyned.
And publiſhed by a more perfect Copy then heeretofore.
I … to dy I dy to liue
AT LONDON, Printed for William Leake, dwelling in Pauls Churchyard at the ſigne of the Holy-Ghoſt. 1610.
The Contents.
1 The ſinners conuerſion.
2. The ſinners confeſſion.
3. A Prayer for the Morning.
THE SINNERS Conuerſion.
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 Wherefore he ranne before, and climbed vp into a wild Figge-tree that hee might ſee him, for he ſhould come that way.
5 And when Ieſus came to the place, bee looked vp, and ſaw him, and ſaid vntounto him, Zaccheus, come down at once: for to day I muſt abide at thine houſe.
IN the end of the Chapter before going, we may ſee how Chriſt healed a man, blinde in his bodily ſight, namely, Bartimeus, whereby hee ſheweth himſelfe to be the Phyſitian of the body: Here we ſhall ſee how he cured one blinde in minde, namely, Zaccheus, whereby he ſheweth himſelfe to bee Ephe. 5. 23.the Phyſitian 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 & how he was called, by the voyce of Chriſt. And laſtlie, the effect and fruit of his calling, his good confeſſion.
The firſt circumſtance.
Firſt therefore for the place where he was conuerted, it appeareth to be Jericho, a citie not farre diſtant from Jeruſalem. It was ſomtime a notable Citie, till it was Ioſu. 6.ſubuerted and ruinated by the Lords Champion Joſua. 1. Reg. 16. 34.It was builded againe in the dayes of Ahab, by Hiel the Bethelite, and remaineth at this day with the reſt of that holy Land, vnderunder the Turkiſh Empire. VntoUnto this Iericho, the Lord of heauen and earth vouchſafeth to come in the likenes of a ſeruant. And as Ioſua cōpaſſed Iericho ſeauen 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 and raced Iericho, he ſowed ſalt in it to make it barren, and curſed him that ſhould attempt to build it vp: yet in this barren ſoile Chriſt hath his ſpirituall haiueſt, and in this curſed Cittie he hath a holy Temple, a bleſſed building. Samaria that wicked city, affordeth many that beleeue in Chriſt. Iohn 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 Ioh. 7. 52.this curſed Citie, Chriſt hath a rich man 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.
Now followeth the deſcription of Zaccheus, which is moſt plainly & fully ſet foorth 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 be conuerted: Zaccheus was a Gentile, a Publican, and a rich man, and therefore behold a myracle, as if in the conuerſion of Zaccheus, theſe three ſhould be conuerted at once.
Zaccheus was a Gentile; a maruell to ſee a Gentile become a Iew, that is, to beleeue in Chriſt. Hee was a Matth. 19. 28.principall Publican; a ſtrange thing to ſee a chiefe cuſtomer to giuegive ouer his office: and he was rich alſo; a rare matter to ſee a rich man to enter into the kingdome of God: and therefore behold a miracle, as if at this day the Turke, Pope, and the King of Spaine, were at once Rom. 2. 28.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 bee ſaued, if they repent and amend, as Zaccheus did. He conuerteth a rich man, to ſhew that al rich men are not excluded from the kingdome of heauen.
He was called Zaccheus before his conuerſiō, but hee was neuer truely called Zaccheus till Chriſt called him ſo. His name ſignifying, ſimple, pure, honeſt; but his life was ſubtill, impure, and moſt deteſtable. Thus many are called by honeſt names, whoſe deedes be wray their diſhoneſt natures, and vices oftentimes are ſhrowded in the habits of vertue, like Aeſopes Aſſe, masking in the Lions skinne, till his long eares detect his follie, or like the Crowe that is deckt in others plumes, till eueryevery bird doe plucke his feather. Zaccheus by his profeſſion was a Publican, and therefore much deteſted of the Iewes: for Publicans were Roman officers, appointed to gather and receiue publique cuſtome or tribute of the Iewes, who were at that time in ſubiection to the Romanes. And amongſt theſe Officers, Zaccheus was the chiefe, and (as it ſeemeth) Ouerſeer 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 country liberty, 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 law, and therefore with the reſt of the heathen Publicans, was excommunicate out of their ſynagogue, Matth. cha. 18.
Thus was he hated for his profeſſion, becauſe he was a Publican, and for his religion, becauſe he was a heathen. Yet was he beloued for his wealth, for rich men hauehave many friendes, Prou. 14. 20. And though they doe neuer ſo wickedly, yet hauehave they ſome to take their parts. If they ſpeak neuer ſo proudly, yet are there ſome to praiſe their ſaying, Eccle. 13. 23. 24.
Zaccheus was a Publican, and therefore rich: for Publicans muſt needes be rich, and vſurers will be wealthy. But rich Publicans make poore Princes, and wealthy vſurers make many beggars. In eueryevery prouince there were many Publicans, and therefore much poore people in eueryevery place: for where there be many caterpillets, the fruit is ſoone conſumed; & where there be many extortioners, beggars muſt needs abound.
By the Law of God, there might be no beggars in Iſrael, but when ſo many Publicans were ſuffered to receiue Deut. 15.tribute of the Iewes contrary to Gods lawe, no maruell 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 beggars among Chriſtians, Pſal. 32. 25. But when ſo many vſurers are tollerated in a chriſtian common-wealth, contrary to the Lawe of Chriſt, Luke 6. 35. no maruell though we hauehave ſo many beggars, contrary to the minde of Chriſt. The poore Leu. 35. 36. 37. Mark 14. 7.(ſaith Chriſt) yee ſhall hauehave alwaies with you, but when you will, you may doe them good: and we ſhall be ſure to hauehave the poore amongſt vsus alwaies, but we muſt make ſuch good prouiſion for them, that they be not faine to beg Pſal. 3 7.their bred.
Thus was Zaccheus rich to himſelfe, for hee was a Publican, but hee was rich toward God alſo, for he had a deſire to ſee Chriſt. Almighty God, who is rich in merciemercy, Ephe. 2. hath ſo inſpired his heart with the deſire of heauenly riches, that whereas before his whole delight was in ſeeking of worldly wealth, now his greateſt care is to ſeeke for heauenly treaſure. Hee now forgetteth what his profeſſion is, & begins to be of a new profeſſion: and hee whoſe heart was wholly ſet vponupon earthly profit, is now like olde Simeon, moſt deſirous to ſee his Sauiour. The Tetrarch Herod deſired to ſee Chriſt, and deſpiſed him when he ſaw him, Luk. 23. 8. 11. but Zaccheus the publican deſired to ſee Chriſt, & reioyced 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 now become the childe of Abraham, which reioyced to ſee the day of Chriſt. Happy were his eyes that ſaw ſo bleſſed a ſight, for many Luk. 10.Prophets and righteous men hauehave deſired to ſee and to heare thoſe things that Zaccheus both ſaw and heard, and could not ſee nor heare the ſame. If Iacob thought himſelfe happy, if that he might but ſee his ſonne Ioſeph Gen. 45.before his death, then ſurely thrice 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 eyes of our body we cannot ſee chriſt as Zaccheus did, yet with the eies of our faith we may behold him as Stephen did, Acts 7. But if our faith be ſo weake ſighted that we cannot ſee Chriſt, yet let vsus hauehave a deſire to hear chriſt in his word, whereby our faith may be increaſed, for faith comes by Rom. 10. 1. Reg. 10.hearing the word of God. And as the Queene of the South deſired to heare the wiſdome 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 wiſedome; and Chriſt our king, Iohn 20. 31.hath left vntounto vsus his moſt ſacred word, as it were a taſte of his wiſedome, ſufficient matter for our ſaluation, this is that heauenly foode, Mat. 4. 4. whereby our ſoules are fed vntounto eternall life, let vsus therfore labour for that heauenly foode: and as the Iſraelites were carefull to gather Manna to ſuſtaine their bodies, ſo let vsus be as carefull to heare the word to feede our ſoules. The people in the Exod. 19.time of Chriſt, Iohn 6. 24. tooke great paines to follow Chriſt both by land and ſea, and many now adaies (I confeſſe) are very forward to follow his faithfull Miniſters, but as they followed Chriſt ſo faſt to fill their bellies, ſo theſe frequent Sermons for faſhion to ſerue the time.
Zaccheus is deſirous to ſee Chriſt, a godly care, but yet he could not obtaine his purpoſe: a thing common; for Ioh. 6. 26.eueryevery one that hath anie good motion, hath alwaies ſome hinderance to croſſe the ſame; and Zaccheus hath a double impediment to hinder his honeſt enterpriſe: The preaſe of the people, and his little ſtature. Whereof the former, that is, the multitude, is alwayes wont to Two impediments.be an enemie to thoſe that would come to Chriſt. This hindred the blind man from receiuing his ſight, Luk. 18. for the people rebuked him that hee ſhould holde his peace, till Chriſt called him and opened his eyes. This hindred them that brought the man ſick of the Paulſie, Mar. 2. for they could not come at Chriſt for the preaſe, till they vncouered the roofe of the houſe, and let down the bed wherein the ſicke of the Paulſie lay.
This hindered the healing of the deafe and dumbe, Mar. 7. till Chriſt tooke him aſide out of the multitude, and cured him. This hindered the raiſing of the Rulers daughter, Matth. 9. till Chriſt had thruſt out the Minſtrells and the multitude, and then reſtored the maid to life. Finally, this hindered Zaccheus here from comming vntounto Chriſt, till 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 trueth. Exod. 23.
The ſecond impediment that hindereth Zaccheus from ſeeing Chriſt, is his little ſtature. He was ſo low of ſtature, that he could not ſee Chriſt aboue the multitude: but Chriſt was aboue the multitude, and therefore could ſee Zaccheus though he were ſo low of ſtature. For God looketh not on the countenance, nor on the height of 2. Sam. 16. 7. 1. Sam. 16. 12.mans ſtature, but the Lord beholdeth the heart, and preferred little Dauid before Eliab his eldeſt brother, becauſe hee findeth in him a better heart to ſerue the Lord. And Zaccheus in his little bodie, hath a heart and minde prepared to ſeeke and ſee the Lord. Zaccheus was ſo low, that hee could not ſee Chriſt: but many 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 blindnes, nor ſicknes, could ſtay them from comming to him; but the common people in our time, are more readie to follow 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 cōmodity, but will ſearce come out of doores to heare a Sermon?
They come to Church as Nichodemus came to Chriſt, Iohn 3. 2.by night, as if they were aſhamed to come to Church: but they runne after profit, to get riches, as Gehezi ran 2. King. 5.after Naaman the 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 we hauehave many lets to with-draw vsus from Chriſt, ſome are externall, and without vsus, as the inticements of the world, and ſome are internall and within vsus, as the luſts of our owne fleſh. The preaſe of the people hindereth Eſay 59. 2.Zaccheus from ſeeing Chriſt in his humility, & the multitude of our ſinnes doe preſſe vsus downe, that we cannot ſee Chriſt in glory. Zaccheus was a man of little ſtature, and that hindered him from ſeeing Chriſt in earth; and we 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 he could not come to the ſight of Chriſt for the multitude, he had the wit to runne before, and to climbe 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 conceit, and the ſhorteſt bodies, hauehave the ſharpeſt wits, God ſo prouiding, that the defects of their bodies might bee ſupplied with the gifts of their minde. Now Zaccheus that before was loth to moue his foote from the cuſtome-houſe, for loſing his profit, begins to run after Chriſt for feare of a greater loſſe, like Eliza that left his plowing, and ranne after Elias to follow his new vocation. But Zaccheus doth not only runne, but alſo climbe vp into a tree to ſee Chriſt: A ſtrange thing that Zaccheus a rich man, and a chiefe cuſtomer, ſhould behaue 1. Reg 19.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 things as were not fitting for his ſtate and credit. So they that will follow Rom. 12. 2.Chriſt, muſt make account to doe many things contrarie to the faſhion of the world, and their owne liking. If Chriſt himſelfe were content to leaue the glory which he had with his Father to come downe to us, ſhall not wee bee content to leaue the reputation which wee hauehave with men to goe vp to him?
But alas, where is there any almoſt that preferreth not the fruition of this earthly priſon, before the poſſeſſion of that heauenly manſion? and had rather hazard the hope which they hauehave of eternall glory, then leeſe the preſent enioying of their fading pleaſure.
The ambitious man hunteth after honour, and will not leeſe an inch of his eſtimation. The couetous man Iohn 12. 6.ſeekes after profit, and counts (like Iudas,) all loſt that comes not to his bagges. And the voluptuous man beſtowes his time in pleaſure, and thinketh that his cheefe felicitie. Thus eueryevery man makes his heauen of that wherein he moſt delighteth, and is content to take great paines to accompliſh his fond deſires. But heere Zaccheus is of an other mind; for beeing a publike officer, he climbes into a tree, which ſtood not with his grauitie, and beeing a rich man, he runs to ſee Chriſt, which was not for his worldly profit; yea he takes great pains to ſee Chriſt, not reſpecting his caſe or pleaſure.
Thus muſt we bee affected if wee deſire to come to Chriſt, that neither honours, nor preferments, nor profit, nor pleaſure, nor kindred, nor friends, be able to hold vsus backe: We muſt be ready, not onelyonly to runne, but alſo to climbe (if need require) as Zaccheus did: that is, to take ſome paine and trauaile to hauehave a ſight of Chriſt.
The Queene of the South vndertooke a great and Mat. 3. 22. Luke 14. 29. 1. King. 10.tedious iourney to heare the wiſedome of Salomon, but we are loath 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 Temple, that the Prieſts were faine to bid them ceaſe: but a 1. Chro. 29. 9.great part of the people in our time, are ſo ſparing of their paines and coſt, that they thinke that very time miſſpent which is employed in the ſeruice of God; and that mony ill beſtowed, which is giuen to the maintenance of his Miniſters.
When Zaccheus could not ſee Chriſt for the multitude hee climbes 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 we cannot draw neere to Chriſt, by reaſon of our ſinnes that preſſe vsus downe, 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 eies of our faith, wee may behold 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 curſed: for this bare moſt pretious fruite, euen ſuch as Mat. 21. 1Chriſt himſelfe vouchſafed to pluck. A happy tree that bare ſuch pretious fruite as Zaccheus was; but thrice happy Zaccheus, that ſo happily climbed on that happy tree.
This tree grew in the way that Chriſt was to paſſe, for elſe Zaccheus might hauehave climbed to no purpoſe: So if we deſire to find Chriſt, we muſt ſeeke him in the way where he hath promiſed to ſhew himſelfe vntounto vsus, that is, in his holy Temple; where his word is duely preached, and his Sacraments reuerently adminiſtred, for where Mat. 19. 20.two or three are gathered together, he hath promiſed to be preſent amongſt them.
The third Circumſtance.
When Chriſt came to the place, hee locked vp and ſaw Zaccheus.
As Zaccheus ranne before Chriſt, ſo Chriſt followed after to ſee Zaccheus. Sathan for his part went about like 1. Pet. 5. 8. Iohn 10. Luke 11. 21.a roaring Lyon, ſeeking to deuoure him; but Chriſt for his part goeth about like a good ſheepheard, minding to ſaue him. And although Sathan a ſtrong armed man had taken 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 commeth to the place where Zaccheus was, becauſe otherwiſe it had bin vnpoſſible for Zaccheus to come to his preſence: for vnleſſe the Lord vouchſafe to come vntounto vsus, wee cannot attaine to the preſence of God. As no man might hauehave any acceſſe to king Aſſuerus except he ſtretched out his golden ſcepter: ſo no Heſter 4.man may come to Chriſt, vnleſſe he be called by the golden ſcepter of his ſacred word.
Chriſt looked vp and ſaw Zaccheus, before Zaccheus could looke downe to behold him. Thus doth the Lord preuent vsus with his mercy, whom he might caſt off in his iuſtice: and if he perceiue in vsus a willing mind to come vntounto him, he 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 friends that came to viſit him in his Iob. 2. 12.great calamitie lift vp their eies a farre off, they knew not Iob, becauſe he was ſo ſore afflicted. But Chriſt who is the mirour of true friendſhip, cannot ſo ſoone forget his friends, howſoeuer they be diſguiſed. He knoweth his owne ſheep whereſoeuer he ſeeth them, Ioh. 10. whether they be vnderunder the Figge-tree, as Nathaniel was, or vponupon the Figgetree, as Zaccheus was, he hath reſpect vntounto them. And if they hauehave a deſire to ſeeke they ſhall bee ſure to find, Math. 7. And if they labour & are heauy laden, hee will refreſh them, Math. 11. Chriſt is now come to the place where Zaccheus is to be called; and as Abraham, Gen. 22. lift vp his eyes and ſaw in the buſh a ramme that was to be ſactificed, ſo Chriſt lifting vp his eies, ſaw in the tree. Zaccheus the ſinner that was to be conuerted. And now beginnes 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 then Zaccheus expected, and yet no more than Chriſt vouchſafeth, namely, to giuegive more Iohn 1. Luke 5. 1. Kin. 3. 12. 13 Gen. 28. 20.then is deſired. The ſicke of the palſie that asked health, obtained alſo forgiueneſſe of ſinnes. Salomon deſired wiſedom, and the Lord gaue him wiſedome, and abundance of wealth beſide. Iacob asked but meate and clothing, and God made him a great rich man. And Zaccheus deſired only to hauehave a ſight of Chriſt, and was ſo happy as to entertaine him into his houſe.
Thus the Lord that is rich in mercy to all that call vponupon him, vſeth oftentimes to giuegive more then wee aske: and hee that is alwaies found of them that ſeeke him Rom. 10. 12. Epheſ. 2. 4. Ior. 29.with their whole heart, is found alſo ſometime of Gentiles that knew not God, Eſay, 65. 1. Let vsus therefore that were ſometimes ſinners of the Gentiles, ſeeke the Lord as Zaccheus did, while he may be found, and call vponupon him while he is nigh. Hee will be found of them that ſeeke him hartily, and is nigh to all them that cal vponupon Rom. 10. 20. Eſay. 55.him faithfully, Pſal. 145. 18.
Zaccheus, come downe at once. Now Chriſt beginnes 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 hote, or too colde, too quick, or too ſlothfull in the Lords buſineſſe. Sometime we flocke together to heare a Sermon, like the people, Luke 5. that preſſed vponupon Chriſt to heare the word, and anon we run to ſee ſome pleaſant paſtime, like the Act. 17.Athenians, whoſe eares alwaies itched to heare ſome newes.
Who make more ſhew of conſcience and religion, then they that ſhew themſelues moſt irreligious and vnconſcionable? Who ſeemed more confident and vertuous in Math. 26.Chriſt his cauſe then Peter? and not long after, who more traiterous and faint hearted?
Many can ſay with Peter, that they will not ſtick to die before they will denie Chriſt; but when it comes to the triall, 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 be deferred. Wee muſt make no tarrying to turne vntounto the Lord, nor put off from day to day. leſt the wrath of the Lord Eccleſ. 5. 7.breake foorth ſuddenly, and wee bee deſtroyed in our ſecurity, and periſh in the time of vengeance. When the Lord is minded to do vsus good, he will hauehave vsus come quickly, like Ioſeph, Geneſis 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 wickednes, ſo the children of light ſhould be as nimble to follow goodnes. Iudas was nimble to betray Chriſt, Iohn 13. 27. and the bad debtors, Luke 16. could ſit downe quickly to miſ-reckon their creditor: ſo let vsus come quickly to heare of Chriſt, that Chriſt may accept of vsus quickly; let vsus be nimble to make our accompt 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 news to little Zaccheus. Not long before, he wanted meanes to ſee Chriſt, but now he hath opportunity to entertaine him into his houſe.
There was more humanity in Chriſt then in Zaccheus: for if Chriſt had not bidden himſelfe to dinner, he had not bin biddē for Zaccheus: So if Chriſt do not offer himſelfe Mat. 35. 40.vntounto vsus in his afflicted members, he may go long inough 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 entertain him preſently without delay, ſo let vsus be ready to helpe them preſently, becauſe they ſtand in neede of preſent helpe. And as he muſt receiue Chriſt into his houſe; ſo we muſt make account to receiue his needy members into our houſes. And as the vniuſt ſteward Luke 6.procureth himſelfe friends with his maſters goods, ſo let vsus make the poore to be our friends, by our benificence and bounty towards them, that ſo receiuing them, (when they hauehave need) into our earthlie houſes, they may receiue vsus when we ſtand in greateſt need, into euerlaſting habitations.
They that were inuited to the marriage, Matth. 22, refuſed to come; but Chriſt is content to come to Zaccheus houſe before he was inuited. Wherein alſo he ſheweth his great humility, in comming before he was requeſted, as they be wrayed their great arrogancy, in refuſing to come beeing ſolemnly bidden. It was a part of great humility, that he that was moſt free from ſinne, would vouchſafe to come into a ſinners houſe: but it was a ſigne of great humility, that hee would be wray his great neceſſitie, and ſeeke for ſuccour at a ſinners hand.
Alaſſe poore humble Sauiour, who though thou be Lord of heauen and 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 Ier. 14.humble pouertie, ſaying; O thou hope of Iſrael, the Sauiour thereof in the time of trouble, why art thou as a ſtranger in the Land, or as one that paſſeth by to tarry for a night? The Sonne of God vouchſafeth to come, and that vnrequeſted to a ſinfull mans houſe; a ſpecial fauour: but he di…d…eth not to make his neceſſity knowne vntounto him; O ſtrange humilitie! Here therefore appeareth the ſingular humanitie and great humility of Chriſt to ſinfull men: he offereth himſelfe to betheir gueſt, if he find thē willing to intertain him for their gueſt, And Zaccheus no doubt was willing to entertain him, for although Chriſt heard not the voice, 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 hearts. 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 hearts. Wherefore as the prophet Dauid Pſal. 24.ſaith, Open your gates that the King of glory 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 Sabbath: To day therefore if you will heare his voyce, harden not your hearts, as did the Iſraelites, leſt if you harden Pſal. 95.your hearts, his voyce be heard no more amongſt you.
This day you may gather this heauenly Manna, as the Iſraelites might gather their Manna ſix daies together, Exod. 16.but to morrow (perhaps) and ſixe daies after, you may not gather it, as on the ſeauenth day Manna might not be found.
The Lord grant that you may gather ſufficient foode 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 the ſtrength of this ſpirituall meat which heere 1. Reg. 19.I bring you, may bee able to paſſe through the dangerous waies of this troubleſome world, vntounto Gods holy Mountaine, the hauen of all happineſſe: whither he bring vsus, that hath deerely bought vsus with his pretious blood, euen Chriſt Ieſus the righteous: to whom with the Father, and the holy Ghoſt, three perſons and one God, bee giuen all glory and maieſty, world without end.
Amen.
FINIS.