" 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?
MINISTERS WARNED.
"There were giants in the earth in those days." These words seem to
be spoken to show us the hazards that Noah run while he preached the
truth of God; he incurred the displeasure of the giants, who
doubtless made all men tremble and kept the whole world in awe. But
Noah must engage the giants, he must not fear the face of a giant.
This way God also took with Moses and with his people of Israel.
They must go to possess the land of the giants, a people high and
tall as the cedars, a people of whom went the proverb, "Who can
stand before the children of Anak?" They must not be afraid of Og
the king of Bashan, though his head be as high as the ridge of a
house, and his bedstead a bedstead of iron.
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