Four sermons preachedFoure sermons preached

If it were the office of Christ to convert sinners, why ¹should the Pharisees be offended at him, if he were sometimes conversant with sinners to work their conversion? If Christ were a Physician to cure the sickness of the soul, ²that is, to save the people from their sins, why should the Pharisees murmur at him for keeping of company with Zaccheus, that was sick in soul? for as it is expedient for the Physician to visit his patients for their better recovery, so it was convenient Christ should visit sinners for their speedier conversion. But as the Physician that resorteth to sick persons, is not straight way infected: so the souls Physician that converseth with sinners, is not thereby polluted. And therefore, as Christ performed his office though the ⟨image 44⟩Pharisees murmured, so let the ministers of God learn by his example, to perform their duties, though the wicked be offended. It was the office of Christ to call sinners to repentance, yea he came to call Pharisee sinners, aswell as Publican sinners, if the Pharisees would have confessed themselves to be sinners, as the Publicans did, but because they ³stood so much upon their own righteousness, and despised others, therefore Christ denounceth so many woes against them, and preferreth the penitent Publican that trusted ⁴in the Lords mercy, before the proud Pharisee that trusted in his own merits. Though Paul was a Pharisee, and ⁵the son of a Pharisee, yet he shameth not to confess himself one of the chief sinners which Christ came to save. Soe if the Pharisees that murmured at Zaccheus would have bin saved, they should have confessed themselves chief sinners, as Paul did. They should not have accused Christ for keeping ⁶company with sinners, but they should have accused themselves for not keeping company with Christ. The just man (saith Solomon, Prover. 18.) is the first accuser of himself: but the Pharisees are so far from accusing of themselves, that they begin to accuse Zaccheus and Christ together. Thus the Pharisees of our time, that make religion a cloak to cover their corrupt dealing, have this property to think other men to be heinous sinners, and themselves only to be righteous: in so much, as they will not stick to speak like that proud people that was wont to say, Depart from me for I am holier then thou. & like that presumptuous Pharisee.