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But why must Zaccheus come down so hastily? even to entertain Christ into his house. For to day (saith Christ) I must abide with thee. This was joyful news to little Zaccheus. Not long before, he wanted means to see Christ, but now he hath opportunity to entertain him into his house. There was more humanity in Christ then in Zaccheus: for if Christ had not bidden himself to dinner, he had not been bidden for Zaccheus. So if Christ do not offer himself unto us in his afflicted members, he may go long ¹enough before we will offer him any entertainment. As often as the poor craveth any relief at our hands, let us imagine that Christ asketh something of us: but as Zaccheus ⟨image 39⟩must entertain him presently without delay, so let us be ready to help them presently, because they stand in need of present help. And as he must receive Christ into his house, so we must make account to receive his needy members into our houses. And as the unjust steward procureth ²himself friends with his masters goods, so let us make the poor to be our friends, by our beneficence and bounty towards them, that so receiving them (when they have need) into our earthly houses, they may receive us when we stand in greatest need, into everlasting habitations.

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 vnto vs in his afflicted members, he may goe long ¹enough before we will offer him any entertainement. As often as the poore craueth any reliefe at our hands, let vs imagine that Christ asketh something of vs: but as Zaccheus ⟨image 39⟩must entertaine him presently without delay, so let vs 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