When Abraham thought only to have entertained men, 1he received the Angels in the shape and likeness of men: & when Zaccheus thought to entertain the son of man, he receiveth the son of God himself. Let us therefore (as the Apostle willeth us Heb. 13. 2.) be mindful to entertain ⟨image 42⟩strangers, for as much as thereby some have received Angels into their houses unawares: and why should not we 2hope to entertain the like or better guests, if we be given to hospitality, as those godly fathers were? For as the Angels came to them in the likeness of men: so Christ himself comes to us in the likeness of a poor man, of a lame man, & of a blind man: and when he cometh, he cometh hungry, or thirsty, or naked, or harbourless, or sick, or imprisoned, and happy are they that feed, or clothe, or harbour, or visit him, when he cometh thus afflicted. When Abraham entertained the Angels, he was not only busy himself, but his wife and all his household were careful to make provision for them, so when Zaccheus received Christ into his house his whole family (no doubt) were no less willing and careful to entertain Christ, then their master was: & therefore not only to Zaccheus, but even to his whole house salvation is promised, because the whole family rejoiced at Christ his coming. Let rich men learn of Zaccheus, to entertain Christ in his needy members, and let rich mens servants learn of Zaccheus family, to show themselves merciful like their merciful masters, that they may receive the reward of mercy and hospitality at the last day, Come ye blessed, for I was harbourless, and ye took me in. Generally, 3as Zaccheus gladly received Christ: so let every one that is able, be glad to distribute to the necessity of the poor Saints: if we have much, let us give plentifully: if we have little, let us give gladly of that little: if we be not able to give a penny, yet happily we may afford a morsel of bread: but if not that, yet there is none so needy, that cannot give a cup of cold water, and even so small a gift shall not lose his just reward. Matth. 10. 41. Zaccheus received Christ into his heart, but many amongst us are ready to drive Christ out, and to receive Satan in stead of him: Zaccheus received Christ into his house, but there are many rich men amongst us, that like Dives, Luke 16.
When Abraham thought only to haue entertained men, 1hee receiued the Angels in the shape and likenes of men: & when Zaccheus thought to entertayne the sonne of man, he receiueth the sonne of God himselfe. Let vs therefore (as the Apostle willeth vs Heb. 13. 2.) be mindfull to entertaine ⟨image 42⟩strangers, for as much as thereby some haue receiued Angels into their houses vnawares: and why shoulde not wee 2hope to entertaine the like or better ghestes, if we bee giuen to hospitalitie, as those godly fathers were? For as the Angels came to them in the likenes of men: so Christ himselfe comes to vs in the likenes of a poore man, of a lame man, & of a blind man: and when he commeth, he commeth hungry, or thirsty, or naked, or harborlesse, or sicke, or imprisoned, and happy are they that feede, or cloath, or harbour, or visite him, when he commeth thus afflicted. When Abraham entertained the Angels, he was not only busie himself, but his wife and al his housholde were careful to make prouision for them, so when Zaccheus receiued Christ into his house his whole family (no doubt) were no lesse willing and carefull to entertaine Christ, then their master was: & therefore not only to Zaccheus, but euen to his whole house saluation is promised, because the whole family reioyced at Christ his comming. Let rich men learne of Zaccheus, to entertaine Christ in his needy members, and let rich mens seruaunts learne of Zaccheus familie, to shewe themselues mercifull like their merciful masters, that they may receiue the reward of mercy and hospitality at the last daie, Come ye blessed, for I was harborlesse, and ye tooke me in. Generally, 3as Zaccheus gladly receiued Christ: so let euery one that is able, bee glad to distribute to the necessitie of the poore Saints: if we haue much, let vs giue plentifully: if wee haue little, let vs giue gladly of that little: if wee bee not able to giue a peny, yet happily we may afford a morsell of breade: but if not that, yet there is none so needie, that cannot giue a cup of colde water, and euen so small a gift shall not lose his iust reward. Matth. 10. 41. Zaccheus receiued Christ into his heart, but many amongst vs are readie to driue Christ out, and to receiue Sathan in stead of him: Zaccheus receiued Christ into his house, but there are many richmen amongst vs, that like Diues,
- 1Abraham. Gen. 18 3
- 2Lot. Gen. 19. 3
- 3Mat. 25
