Some important truths about conversion, delivered in sundry sermons, / by Increase Mather, D.D.…

Oh, then never shut him out of doors.

Consider 4. The exceeding benefit which you will reap by giving entertainment unto Jesus Christ. There is nothing lost by showing kindness to good men when they come to our houses: He that receiveth a Prophet in the name of a Prophet, shall receive a Prophets ⟨p. 106⟩reward; & he that receiveth a Righteous man in the name of a Righteous man, shall receive a Righteous mans reward, Mat. 10.41. But what reward must they needs have ther•, that shall receive the Son of God himself? Behold I come (saith Christ) and any reward is with me, Rev. 22.12. The very company of a godly wise man is profitable; but what then is Christs company; Christ never cometh empty-handed into any house, into any heart; no, but he cometh with both hands full of blessings. We read that when the Ark was in the house of Obed-edom, God blessed Obed-edom; and blessed his house, and blessed all that he had, because of the Ark of God which was in his house. The Ark was a Type of Christ; then where Christ cometh, God blesseth that house, that heart, with all manner of blessings. Oh, consider, if Christ come into the house, he will bring provision with; I'll sup with him, saith the Lord; your entertainment of Christ shall cost you nothing. Alas, the house is nothing but bare walls, before Christ cometh into it, but then it is full of provision; yea, if Christ be entertained, he will protect the house, as well as provide for it, Phil. 4.7. The peace of God shall keep your hearts through Christ Jesus. Have not some of you ⟨p. 107⟩your temptations, and your pangs of unbelief with them; and then you cry out (as David I shall one day perish by the hand of Saul;) I shall one day perish by the hand of the Tempter, such a Corruption, or such a Temptation will be my ruin at last. My serious counsel to you is, get Jesus Christ into your hearts; and if Christ be there, let the Devil do his worst, you need not fear him, Christ will guard the house against all the Devils of Hell, he will defend thy Soul against the Temptations of the evil one. In a word, if Christ come he, he will bring Salvation along with him; therefore when Jesus Christ was received into Zacheus his house, it was said, This day is Salvation come to this house,