Thus it is 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_’s sake, let us not entirely condemn people that come under 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 Jaylor 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 intituled, _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 effectual calling, according to the counsel of his eternal will. It is with the spiritual, as 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, verse 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 four-fold.”