The sinful mans searchThe sinfull mans search

In the 11. of John, Christ is said to love his whole family; and here he is said to come unto them. For whom ⟨image 28⟩he loveth he cannot choose but visit,¹ like the friends of Job that came to comfort him in his great adversity, yea and the greater love he beareth unto any, the oftener he will resort unto them, yea he will come and dwell with them.² John. 14.23. Like Jacob that came down into Egypt, to his beloved son Joseph, and dwelt in Goshen. But Christ is yet more kind then Jacob was,³ for he came not till he was sent for with horses and Chariots, but Christ came of his own accord to this beloved family. Thus doth he always prevent us with his blessings: before he was desired he came into the world, he called his Apostles before they came to him, and before he was requested he came unto this noble house. O happy house that entertained such a guest, but thrice happy inhabitants to whom such a guest would vouchsafe to come! When he came unto the swinish Gadarenes, they desired him to ⟨image 28⟩depart out of their coasts, preferring their Swine above their Saviour:⁴ but this godly family received him into their house, preferring their God before their gold, and the health of their souls, before their worldly wealth.⁵ They received him into their house, who had not a house wherein to put his head.⁶ Wherein their hospitality is commended, and shall certainly be rewarded at that dreadful day: for with this and such like works of mercy, the Lord shall answer the sentence of judgement, which is to be denounced against the wicked, that never exercised those works of mercy. Let us learn by their example to be harberous and given to hospitality, which is so often commended unto us in the Scripture, and shall be so richly rewarded at the last day. Those godly Fathers Abraham and Lot,