sight of Christ for finding he could not see Christ because of the press, and the littleness of his natural stature, he did not smite upon his breast, and depart, saying, "It is in vain to seek after a sight of him any longer, I can never attain unto it." No, finding he could not see Christ, if he continued in the midst of the press, "he ran before the multitude, and climbed up into a sycamore tree, to see him; for he was to pass that way,"

There is no seeing Christ in glory, unless we run before the multitude, and are willing to be in the number of those despised few, who take the kingdom of God by violence. The broad way, in which so many go, can never be that straight and narrow way which leads to life. Our Lord's flock was, and always will be, comparatively a little one. And unless we dare to run before the multitude in a holy singularity, and can rejoice in being accounted fools for Christ's sake, we shall never see Jesus with comfort, when he appears in glory. From mentioning the sycamore tree, and considering the difficulty with which Zaccheus must climb it, we may farther learn, that those who would see Christ, must undergo other difficulties and hardships, besides contempt. Zaccheus, without doubt, went through both. Did not many, think you, laugh at him as he ran along, and in the language of Michal, Saul's daughter, cry out, how glorious did the rich Zaccheus look to-day, when, forgetting the greatness of his station, he ran before a pitiful, giddy mob, and climbed up a sycamore tree, to see an enthusiastic preacher! But Zaccheus cares not for all that; his curiosity was strong. If he could but see who Jesus was, he did not value what scoffers said of him. Thus, and much more will it be with all those who have an effectual desire to see Jesus in heaven. They will go on from strength to strength, break through every difficulty lying in their way, and care not what men or devils say of or do unto them. May the Lord make us all thus minded, for his dear Son's sake!

At length, after taking much pains, and going (as we may well suppose) through much contempt, Zaccheus has climbed the tree; and there he sits, as he thinks, hid in the leaves of it, and watching when he should see Jesus pass by; "for he was to pass by that way."

But sing, O heavens, and rejoice, O earth! Praise, magnify, and adore sovereign, electing, free, preventing love; Jesus the everlasting God, the Prince of peace, who saw Nathaniel under the fig-tree, and Zaccheus from eternity, now sees him in the sycamore tree, and calls him in time.

Ver. 5. "And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zaccheus, make haste and

come down; for this day I must abide at thy house." Amazing love! Well might Luke usher in the account with it. It is worthy of our highest admiration. When Zaccheus thought of no such thing, nay, thought that Christ Jesus did not know him; behold, Christ does what we never hear he did before or after, I mean, invite himself to the house of Zaccheus, saying, "Zaccheus, make haste and come down; for this day I must abide at thy house." Not pray let me abide, but I must abide this day at thy house. He also calls him by name, as though he was well acquainted with him and indeed well he might; for his name was written in the book of life; he was one of those whom the Father had given him from all eternity: therefore he must abide at his house that day. "For whom he did predestinate, them he also called."

Here then, as through a glass, we may see the doctrine of free grace evidently exemplified before us. Here was no fitness in Zaccheus. He was a publican, chief among the publicans not only so, but rich, and came to see Christ only out of curiosity but sovereign grace triumphs over all. And if we do God justice, and are effectually wrought upon, we must acknowledge there was no more fitness in us than in Zaccheus ; and, had not Christ prevented us by his call, we had remained dead in trespasses and sins, and alienated from the divine life, even as others. "Jesus looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zaccheus, make haste and come down; for this day I must abide at thy house."

With what different emotions of heart may we suppose Zaccheus received this invitation? Think you not that he was surprised to hear Jesus Christ call him by name, and not only so, but invite himself to his house? Surely, thinks Zaccheus, I dream: it cannot be; how should he know me? I never saw him before; besides, I shall undergo much contempt, if I receive him under my roof. Thus, I say, we may suppose Zaccheus thought within himself. But what saith the scripture? "I will make a willing people in the day of my power." With this outward call, there went an efficacious power from God, which sweetly overruled his natural will; and therefore, verse 6. "He made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully," not only into his house, but also into his heart. Thus it is, that the great God brings home his children. He calls them by name, by his word or providence: he speaks to them also by his Spirit. Hereby they are enabled to open their hearts, and are made willing to receive the King of glory. For Zaccheus' sake, let us not entirely condemn people that come unto the word, out of no better principle than curiosity. Who knows, but God may call them? It is good to be where the

Lord is passing by. May all who are now present out of this principle, hear the voice of the Son of God speaking to their souls, and so hear that they may live! Not that men ought therefore to take encouragement to come out of curiosity. For perhaps a thousand more, at other times, came to see Christ out of curiosity, as well as Zaccheus, who were not effectually called by his grace. I only mention this for the encouragement of my own soul, and the consolation of God's children, who are too apt to be angry with those who do not attend on the word out of love to God: but let them alone. Brethren, pray for them. How do you know but Jesus Christ may speak to their hearts? A few words from Christ applied by his Spirit, will save their souls. "Zaccheus," says Christ, "make haste and come down. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully."

I have observed in holy scripture, how particularly it is remarked, that persons rejoiced upon believing in Christ. Thus the converted eunuch went on his way rejoicing; thus the jailor rejoiced with his whole house; thus Zaccheus received Christ joyfully. And well may those rejoice who receive Jesus Christ; for with him they receive righteousness, sanctification, and eternal redemption. Many have brought up an ill report upon our good land, and would fain persuade people that religion will make them melancholy mad. So far from it, that joy is one ingredient of the kingdom of God in the heart of a believer; "the kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." To rejoice in the Lord, is a gospel duty. "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice." And who can be so joyful, as those who know that their pardon is sealed before they go hence and are no more seen? The godly may, but I cannot see how any ungodly men can rejoice: they cannot be truly cheerful. What if wicked men may sometimes have laughter amongst them? It is only the laughter of fools; in the midst of it there is heaviness: at the best, it is but like the crackling of thorns under a pot; it makes a blaze, but soon goes out. But, as for the godly, it is not so with them; their joy is solid and lasting. As it is a joy that a stranger intermeddleth not with, so it is a joy that no man taketh from them, it is a joy in God, a joy unspeakable and full of glory.

It should seem that Zaccheus was under soul distress but a little while; "perhaps," says Guthrie, in his book entitled, The trial concerning a saving interest in Christ, "not above a quarter of an hour." I add, perhaps not so long; for as one observes, sometimes the Lord Jesus delights to deliver speedily. God is a sovereign agent, and works upon his children in their effec

tual calling, according to the counsel of his eternal will. It is with the spiritual, as the natural birth. All women have not the like pangs; all christians have not the like degree of conviction. But all agree in this, that all have Jesus Christ formed in their hearts: and those who have not so many trials at first, may be visited with the greater conflicts hereafter; though they never come into bondage again, after they have once received the spirit of adoption. "We have not (says Paul) received the spirit of bondage again unto fear." We know not what Zaccheus underwent before he died. However, this one thing I know, he now believed in Christ, and was justified, or acquitted, and looked upon as righteous in God's sight, though a publican, chief among the publicans, not many moments before. And thus it is with all, that, like Zaccheus, receive Jesus Christ, by faith into their hearts. The very moment they find rest in him, they are freely justified from all things from which they could not be justified by the law of Moses; "for by grace are we saved, through faith, and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God."

Say not within yourselves this is a licentious, Antinomian doctrine; for this faith, if true, will work by love, and be productive of the fruits of holiness. See an instance in this convert, Zaccheus. No sooner had he received Jesus Christ by faith into his heart, but he evidences it by his works; for ver. 8. we are told "Zaccheus stood forth, and said unto the Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give unto the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold."

Having believed on Jesus in his heart, he now makes confession of him with his mouth to salvation. Zaccheus stood forth. He was not ashamed, but stood forth before his brother publicans; for true faith casts out all servile, sinful fear of men; "And said, Behold, Lord." It is remarkable, how readily people in scripture have owned the divinity of Christ immediately, upon their conversion. Thus the woman at Jacob's well: "Is not this the Christ?" Thus the man born blind: "Lord, I believe; and worshiped him." Thus Zaccheus : "Behold, Lord." An incontestable proof this to me, that those who deny our Lord's divinity, never effectually felt his power. If they had, they would not speak so lightly of him; they would scorn to deny his eternal power and Godhead. "Zaccheus stood

forth, and said, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor, and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold." Noble fruits of a true live ing faith in the Lord Jesus! Every word calls for our notice. Not some small, not the tenth part, but the half. Of what? My

goods; things that were valuable. My goods, his own, not another's. I give. Not, I will give when I die, when I can keep them no longer; but, I give now, even now. Zaccheus would be his own executor. For whilst we have time we should do good. But to whom would he give half of his goods? Not to the rich, not to those who were already clothed in purple and fine linen, of whom he might be recompensed again; but to the poor, the maimed, the halt, the blind, from whom he could expect no recompense till the resurrection of the dead. "I give to the poor." But knowing that he must be just, before he could be charitable, and conscious to himself that in his public administrations he had wronged many persons, he adds, "And, if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold." Hear ye this, all ye that make no conscience of cheating the king of his taxes, or of buying or selling run goods. If ever God gives you true faith you will never rest, till, like Zaccheus, you have made restitution to the utmost of your power. I suppose, before his conversion, he thought it no harm to cheat thus, no more than you may do now, and pleased himself frequently, to be sure, that he got rich by doing so. But now he is grieved for it at his heart; he confesses his injustice before men, and promises to make ample restitution. Go, ye cheating publicans, learn of Zaccheus, go away and do likewise; if you do not make restitution here, the Lord Jesus shall make you confess your sins before men and angels, and condemn you for it, when he comes in the glory of his Father to judgment hereafter.

After all this, with good reason might our Lord say unto him, "This day is salvation come to this house; forasmuch as he is the son of Abraham;" not so much by a natural as by a spiritual birth. He was made partaker of like precious faith with Abraham. Like Abraham, he believed on the Lord, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. His faith, like Abraham's, worked by love; and I doubt not, but he has been long since sitting in Abraham's arbor.

And now are you not ashamed of yourselves, who speak against the doctrines of grace, especially that doctrine of being justified by faith alone, as though it would lead to licentiousness? What can be more unjust than such a charge? Is not the instance of Zaccheus a sufficient proof to the contrary? Have I strained it to serve my own turn? God forbid. To the best of my knowledge I have spoken the truth in sincerity, and the truth as it is in Jesus. I do affirm that we are saved by grace, and that we are justified by faith alone: but I do also affirm, that faith must be evidenced by good works where there is an opportunity of performning them.