Page:Cry to the whole earth (2).pdf/5

 5 the sentence of judgment, which is to be  denounced against the wicked, that never exercised these works of mercy. Let us therefore learn by their example to be har- bourers, 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 an- gels in their houses in the habit of strang- ers, 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 com- mendable in all sorts of persons, so it is our special concern, and more especially com- mended unto ministers, who are expressly commanded by the apostles, 1 Tim. iii. 2. among other things to be given to hospi- tality : Unto the Levites in the time of the law, the Lord appointed cities of refuge, Numb. 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