Four sermons preachedFoure sermons preached

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.