reference to heathenish religion, but as to heathenish, cruel, and
barbarous actions; and therefore he was, as the other, by his
brethren, counted as bad as heathens, Gentiles, and harlots. But
salvation is come to this house, saith Christ, and that
notwithstanding his publican practice, forasmuch as he also is the
son of Abraham.

3. Again, Christ, by the parable of the lost sheep, doth plainly
intimate, that the Publican was a Jew. "Then drew near all the
publicans and sinners for to hear him, and the Pharisees and Scribes
murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them."

But by what answer doth Christ repel their objections? Why, he
saith, "What man of you having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of
them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go
after that which is lost until he find it?" Doth he not here, by the
lost sheep, mean the poor publican? plenty of whom, while he preached
this sermon, were there, as objects of the Pharisees' scorn, but of
the pity and compassion of Jesus Christ: he did without doubt mean
them. For, pray, what was the flock, and who Christ's sheep under
the law, but the house and people of Israel? Ezek. xxxiv. 11. So
then, who could be the lost sheep of the house of Israel, but such as
were Matthew, James, Zaccheus, and their companions in their and such
like transgressions?

4. Besides, had not the publicans been of the Jews, how easy had it
been for the Pharisees to have objected, that an impertinency was
couched in that most excellent parable of the lost sheep? They might
have said, We are offended, because thou receivest the publicans, and
thou for vindication of thy practice propoundest a parable of lost