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4 example to be harbourers, and given to hoſpitality, which is ſo often commended to us in the ſcriptures, and ſhall be ſo richly rewarded at the laſt day. Theſe godly fathers, Abraham, Gen. xviii. and Lot, Gen. xix entertained angels in their houſes in the habit of ſtrangers, ſo we may daily entertain Chriſt Jeſus in the habit of a poor man, of a blind man, of a lame man, and whatſoever is done to any of thoſe that are his members, he doth account thereof as it were done to himſelf. Now, as this virtue of hoſpitality is commendable in all ſorts of perſons, ſo it is our ſpecial concern, and more eſpecially commended unto miniſters, who are expreſly commanded by the apoſtles, I Tim. iii. 2. among other things to be given to hoſpitality : Unto the Levites in the time of the law, the Lord appointed cities of refuge, Num. xxxv. to ſignify thereby that the miniſter's houſe ſhould be the poor man's harbour, and his ſtore, their treaſury. But the true miniſters, in theſe our days have no cities of refuge for others, becauſe they have none for themſelves, they have not to relieve the wants of others, for they have not to relieve their own neceſſities.

Now when Martha had once entertained Chriſt as he was man, into her houſe, Mary began to entertain him as he was God into her heart: She ſat at his feet to hear his preaching. For no ſooner came Chriſt into the houſe, but he took occaſion to teach and inſtruct the family, and instead of bodily food which they beſtowed upon him, he beſtowed upon them the food of the ſoul. Thus doth Chriſt always ſhew himſelf a thankful gueſt: For into whatſoever houſe he entered, he leaveth better things