When Abraham thought only to have entertained 1men, he receiveth the Angels in the shape and likeness of men: and when Zaccheus thought to entertain the Son of man, he receiveth the Son of God himself. Let us therefore (as the Apostle willeth us.) Hebr. 13. 2. be mindful to entertain strangers, for as much as thereby 2some have received Angels into their houses unawares; and why should we not hope 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, and 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, ⟨image 13⟩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: and 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, as Zaccheus gladly received Christ: so let every one that is able, be glad to distribute to the necessity 3of 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: 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 instead 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 1men, he receiueth the Angels in the shape and likenesse of men: and when Zaccheus thought to entertaine the sonne of man, he receiueth the sonne of God himselfe. Let vs therefore (as the Apostle willeth vs.) Hebr. 13. 2. be mindfull to entertaine strangers, for as much as thereby 2some haue receiued Angels into their houses vnawares; and why should we not hope to entertaine the like, or better guests, if we be 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, and of a blind man: and when he commeth, he commeth hungry, or thirsty, or naked, or harbourlesse, or sicke, or imprisoned: and happy are they that feede, or cloath, or harbour or visite him, when he commeth thus afflicted, ⟨image 13⟩When Abraham entertained the Angels, he was not onely busie himselfe, but his wife, and all his houshold were carefull to make prouision for them; so when Zaccheus receiued Christ into his house, his whole familie (no doubt) were no lesse willing and carefull to entertaine Christ, then their Master was: and therefore not onely 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 seruants learne of Zaccheus family, to shew themselues mercifull, like their mercifull masters, that they may receiue the reward of mercy and hospitalitie at the last day. Come ye blessed, for I was harbourlesse, and ye tooke me in. Generally, as Zaccheus gladly receiued Christ: so let euery one that is able, be glad to distribute to the necessity 3of the poore Saints: if we haue much, let vs giue plentifully: if we haue little let vs giue gladly of that little: if wee be not able to giue a penny, yet happily wee may affoord a morsell of bread: if not that, yet there is none so needy, that cannot giue a cup of cold 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 ready to driue Christ out, and to receiue Sathan instead of him: Zaccheus receiued Christ into his house, but there are many rich men amongst vs, that like Diues,
- 1Abraham. Gen. 18. 3.
- 2Lot. Gen. 19. 3.
- 3Math. 25.
