The beatitudes

But let us examine the master of the Charge they bring against Christ, and see how groundless it was. They indict Christ for going in with sinners.

But let us examine the master of the Charge they bring against Christ, and see how groundlesse it was. They indite Christ for going in with sinners.

First, Christ did nothing but what was according to his Commission; the Commission he received from his Father, was, that he should come to save sinners, 1 Tim. 1.15.

Secondly, Christ went in with sinners, not to join with them in their sins, but to heal them of their sins; to accuse Christ, was (as Austin saith) as if the Physician should be accused because he goes among them that are sick of the Plague; This groundless accusation Christ over-hears, and in the text gives these envious Pharisees a silencing answer, Th•y that are whole need not a Physician, but they that are sick. As if Christ had said, you ⟨p. 469⟩Pharisees think your selves righteous persons, you need no Saviour; but these poor Publicans are sick, and ready to die, and I come as a Physician to cure them; therefore be not angry at a work of mercy; though you will not be healed, yet do not hinder me from healing others. They that are whole need not a Physician, but they that are sick.

Secondly, Christ went in with sinners, not to joyn with them in their sins, but to heale them of their sins; to accuse Christ, was (as Austin saith) as if the Physitian should be accused because he goes among them that are sick of the Plague; This groundlesse accusation Christ over-hears, and in the text gives these envious Pharisees a silencing answer, Thy that are whole need not a Physitian, but they that are sick. As if Christ had said, you