Would Jesus Christ have mercy offered in the first place to the
biggest sinners? then let God's ministers tell them so.
There is a tendency in us, I know not how it doth come about, when
we are converted to contemn them that are left behind. Poor fools as
we are, we forget that we ourselves were so.
But would it not become us better, since we have tasted that the
Lord is gracious, so to act towards them that we may give them
convincing ground to believe that we have found that mercy which
also sets open the door for them to come and partake with us?
Austerity doth not become us, neither in doctrine nor in
conversation. We ourselves live by grace; let us give as we receive,
and labor to persuade our fellow-sinners whom God has left behind
us, to follow after, that they may partake with us of grace. We are
saved by grace, let us live like them that are gracious. Let all our
things to the world be done in charity towards them; pity them, pray
for them, be familiar with them for their good. Let us lay aside our
foolish, worldly, carnal grandeur; let us not walk the streets, and
have such behaviors as signify we are scarce for touching the poor
ones that are left behind, no, not with a pair of tongs.
Remember your Lord; he was familiar with publicans and sinners to a
proverb. "Behold a gluttonous man and a wine-bibber; a friend of
publicans and sinners." Matt. 11:19. The first part, concerning his
gluttonous eating and drinking, to be sure, was a horrible slander;
but for the other, nothing was ever spoken truer of him by the
world.
Now why should we lay hands cross on this text; that is, choose good
victuals and love the sweet wine better than the salvation of the
poor publican? Why not be familiar with sinners, provided we hate
their spots and blemishes, and seek that they may be healed of them?
Why not be fellowly with our carnal neighbors, if we take occasion
to do so that we may drop and be distilling some good doctrine upon
their souls? Why not go to the poor man's house, and give him a
penny and a scripture to think upon?