Never came such an Inhabitant to our Country, as Jesus. Had God granted men the liberty to beg of him what they would, and have it; they durst not have been so bold as to ask his only Sonne. When the King gives a free concession to his subject, to make choice of his own suit, without denial; he will not be so impudent as to beg the Prince. Let us entertain him well, we fare the better for him: the profit of our redemption blesseth all the rest unto us. Far be it from us to welcome him with scandals, with ⟨p. 15⟩blasphemies, and neglect. He may then reply, as Absalom to Hushai, 1Is this thy kindness to thy friend? No, you say, we make much of him, hold him in the highest regard, trust him with our whole salvation. But know, Christ fares not the better for thy Faith, but for thy Charity. Faith is a beggarly receiver, Charity is a rich giver. Thy Faith is a hand that takes something from him, to enrich thy self: thy Charity is a hand that gives some thing to him, in his distressed members. Indeed Christ is the subject of all tongues, but he is not the object of all hearts. The School disputes of him, the Pulpit preaches of him, Profession talks of him, Profane men swear by him, few love him, few serve him. He is come, let him be made welcome, by setting our best cheer, and choicest fruits before him. Whom should we entertain, if not our Saviour?
Neuer came such an Inhabitant to our Countrey, as Iesus. Had God graunted men the libertie to beg of him what they would, and haue it; they durst not haue beene so bold as to aske his onely Sonne. When the King giues a free concession to his subiect, to make choise of his owne sute, without deniall; he will not bee so impudent as to beg the Prince. Let vs entertaine him well, wee fare the better for him: the profit of our redemption blesseth all the rest vnto vs. Farre bee it from vs to welcome him with scandals, with ⟨p. 15⟩blasphemies, and neglect. Hee may then reply, as Absolon to Hushai, 1Is this thy kindnes to thy friend? No, you say, we make much of him, hold him in the highest regard, trust him with our whole saluation. But knowe, Christ fares not the better for thy Faith, but for thy Charity. Faith is a beggerly receiuer, Charitie is a rich giuer. Thy Faith is a hand that takes something from him, to enrich thy selfe: thy Charitie is a hand that giues some thing to him, in his distressed members. Indeed Christ is the subiect of all tongues, but he is not the obiect of all hearts. The Schoole disputes of him, the Pulpit preaches of him, Profession talks of him, Profane men sweare by him, few loue him, few serue him. He is come, let him bee made welcome, by setting our best cheere, and choycest fruites before him. Whom should we entertaine, if not our Sauiour?
- 12 Sam. 16.17.
