to admonish vs often of our dutie and such is the dulnesse and peruersenesse of our crooked nature that wee cannot bee gayned by the first admonition but the Lord must call vs often and earnestly before we will harken vnto him There are two things in this speach of Christ to be obserued The first is his modest reprehension of Marthaes immoderate care the other is his friendly defence of Maries choise Though Martha was very carefull to entertaine Christ in the best manner yet if he perceiue any thing in hir worthie of reprehension he will not stick to tell hir of it he will not sooth hir in hir saying nor smooth hir in hir owne conceit for all the trouble and cost that she bestowes vpon him If we be often inuited to some mans table and kindely enterteyned it would bee vnkindlye taken if wee should finde fault with any disorder but forasmuch as all Christ his actions are the instructions of Christians therefore euery Christian but especially Preachers whome it more specially concerneth must learne by this example how to behaue themselues when they are inuited to great feasts namely to speake their conscience freely when they see a fault The best requitall that wee can make for our good cheere is to giue good counsell and wholsome admonition to them that inuite vs. When Christ dined with the Pharisey Luke 11. and was misliked for not washing before dinner hee tooke occasion to reprooue their hypocrisie their outward show of holinesse which was the sinne of the Pharises and at another time he noteth them for preasing to the chiefe places at banquets and sheweth what modestie is to bee obserued in sitting downe to meate and what guests should be bidden to our table So should Preachers behaue themselues towards those that inuite them to great feasts where they see perhaps some fault or disorder either in the Maister of the house or in some other of the guests to saye vnto them thus or otherwise as the case requireth I will warne you of one thing that will doo you good that you would leaue your vsurie and extortion your couetousnesse and oppression that you would leaue your swearing and blaspheming the name of God that you would forbeare to prophane the Lords Sabaoth that you would leaue your pride and excesse in your dyet and apparrell that you would forbeare to speake ill of any behind their backes or to beare any malice or hatred to any of your neighbors These are the faults which are easie to be espyed almost in euery place and these are the faultes which the faythfull minister of Christ Iesus should not leaue vnreprooued wheresoeuer he commeth but as Elias tould Ahab of his Idolatrie though hee were his king and Iohn Baptist tould Herod of his adulterie though he did many things for him and heard him gladly so should the preacher reprooue the people for their notorious offences notwithstanding some fauours and curtesies receiued from them If Christ had cause to finde faulte with Martha for hir too much diligence in his enterteinement it seemes hee was not curious of his dyet but would haue beene content with simple cates he was no delicate or daintie guest hee did not affect or delight in sumptuous banquets or costly fare he rather requireth a religious heart a constant faith a willing mind to heare the word with an earnest care to liue thereafter These are the things wherin the Lorde delighteth these are the iuncates which hee desireth and which he preferreth before all earthly cheere Thus is Martha reprehended for hir curiositie now let vs see how Marie is excused and commended for hir godly care One thing is necessary saith Christ and what is that one thing euen to heare the word preached which is the power of God to saluation to euery one that beleeueth A man may better want all things then that one needful thing and yet we desire all other things and neglect that one thing which is so needfull This one thing hath Marie chosen and therefore hath chosen the better part Marthaes part is good bicause it prouideth for this present life but Maries part is better bicause it leadeth to eternall life It is good to be occupyed about our calling to get our liuing but it is better to bee occupied in hearing the word which is able to saue our soules As the head and the foot are both needfull in the body so Marie and Martha are both needfull in a commonwealth man hath two vocations the one earthlye by his labour the other heauenly by his prayer There is the actiue life which consisteth in practising the affayres of this life wherein man sheweth himselfe to bee like himselfe and there is the contemplatiue life which consisteth in the meditation of diuine and heauenly things wherein man sheweth himselfe to bee like the Angels for they which labour in their temporall vocations do liue like men but they which labour in spirituall matters liue like Angels When they heare the word God speaketh vnto them when they pray they speake vnto God so that there is a continual conference betweene God and them bicause they are continually exercised in hearing or praying Christ loued Martha for hir hospitalitie as Isaac loued Esau for his Venison So did he loue Mary for hir diligence in hearing his word as Rebecca loued Iacob for harkning to hir voice A nursse which hath hir brest full of milke doth loue the child that sucks it from hir and Christ which hath his brest full of heauenly milke is glad when he hath children to suck the same Let vs therfore as the Apostle willeth vs 1. Pet. 2.1.2 laying aside all maliciousnesse and all guile and dissimulation and enuie and all euill speaking as new borne babes desire that sincere milke of the worde that we may grow thereby to bee perfect men in Christ Iesus let vs breath after the fountaine of liuing water which springeth vp vnto eternall life as the faintie Hart desireth the water brook to quench his thirst and for as much as many things are so troublesome and one thing is so needefull let vs seeke that one needfull thing the end of all things euen to feare God and keepe his commandements which we must learne by hearing the word of God whereby faith without the which it is impossible to please God is begotten nourished in the hearts of men This is that good part which Marie hath chosen by so much better then hir sisters choise bicause it concerneth a better life and hath the fruition of this present life Mary hath a double portion She heard the word and eate of the meate which hir sister dressed for godlinesse hath the promise of this life of the life to come As for all other things whether they be honors promotions pleasures and what not they serue onely for the maintenance of this present lyfe which is so short and subiect to
well imployed in some good studie and holie exercise earlye rising bringeth health to the body and encreaseth the number of thy dayes Seeke therefore and seeke earlie consecrate your selues Nazarites vnto the Lorde touche no vncleane thing giue no prouocation to the flesh Striue with the Cock in watchfulnes and rise with the chirping of the birds sacrifice your bodie a sweet smelling sacrifice vnto the Lord. This sacrifice is like a sacrifice of fine floure it is like the fatte taken from the peace offering yea it is better then any sacrifice it is like the flower of Roses in the spring of the yeere and as the Lillies by the springs of waters and as the branches of Frankensence in the time of Summer and as a vessell of massie gold beset with pretious stones as a faire Oliue that is fruitfull and as the tree that groweth vp to the clowds Hauing spoken of the Search it followeth that I speake of the manner how it is to bee made In prayer by these wordes If thou pray vnto the Almightie I shewed ye before the force of our aduersarie receiue nowe a Sheeld against his force euen the shield of praier Hee is not to be resisted by ringing an hallowed bell not by sprinkling of holy water not by the relikes of saints not by our owne workes merits for these are weapons of his own making but by an earnest seeking to GOD which search and seeking must bee made by prayer against which his poisoned venome taketh no effect It is his mallice that accuseth praier pleadeth thy case before God and repelleth all his accusations for all the prophets doe witnes that whatsoeuer we aske in praier if we beleeue we shal receiue it It is his rage and furie that should terrifie vs nay that prayer that strengthened Sampson to rent a yong Lion as one should haue rent a Kid hauing nothing in his hande shall smite and shutte vp the mouth of this Lion As for his pollicie and walking vp and downe seeking to deuoure vs it cannot preuaile for the prayer of the faithfull shall saue them the Lord shall raise them vp if they haue committed sin it shal be forgiuen them after this conflict ended they shall triumph for euer with Iesus Christ our Sauiour But in any case see you vnite to your praier knowledge that ye be not seduced to offer your petitions to strange gods as Saints stockes or stones Then consent that we aske only in the name of Christ Iesus not for any desert of our own for whosoeuer beleeueth in Christ shall haue remission of sins hee shall not perish but haue life euerlasting he shall not come into iudgement but shall passe from death to life Lastlie a confidence which is a certaine perswasion of Gods fauour and mercy towards vs this is that praier of which the Lambe testifieth that whatsoeuer we ask by this praier it shal be giuē to vs by God the father A thing dearly beloued so precious that nothing is more accepted in heauen nothing more gratefull to God a seruice commanded of God himselfe taught by Christ our Sauiour and frequented by the Angels a thing of more force with God then any oration of the eloquent Hast thou not heard how the Sunne stood still in the firmament and was not suffered to run his course Iosua and Ezechias prayed and the Sunne stood still Hast thou not heard of the stopping of the Lyons mouthes Daniell praied and his praier stopped the Lyons greedy and deuouring throtes the waters of Iorden were dryed vp yea the Israelites prayed and the waters stood about them like vnto a wall Hast thou not heard of the deuiding of the red sea the Israelites praied and Hast thou not heard howe the fierie furnace lost his heate the three children prayed and the fier lost his heate Hast thou not heard how the heauens were opened and shut Elyas prayed and the heauens were shutte vp three yeeres Elyas prayed and the clowdes powred downe raine from heauen O sure Fortresse more forcible then anye engine and stronger then the gates of hell and to conclude the sum and substance of all in few words the only thing whereby mortall men haue the clouds and the stars the Angels and all the powers of heauen at commandement For as Deborah sung in her song They fought from heauen euen the starres in their courses fought against Sisera so all creatures haue been subiect to the prayers of the faithfull to reuenge the Lordes quarrell to helpe the Lorde to helpe the Lorde against the mightie Prayer hath euer bin the cognisance the victorie and the triumph of the faithfull for as the soule giueth life to the body so prayer giueth life to the soule O that I could engraue the loue of it in your hearts as with a Diamond and so instill your mindes that my wordes might bee prickes vnto your consciences and thereby giue yee occasion to pray often It is a wonderfull mater to be able to perswade men but if praier be able to perswade the liuing God oh how great is the force therof it goeth through the clowds and ceaseth not till it come neere and will not depart till the most high haue respect therevnto O that you would therfore pray often and learne of Christ the most absolute patterne of our life to pray continually He praied in his baptisme in the wildernesse in preaching in working of miracles in his passion on the mount in the Garden in his last supper in cōmending his spirit to God at al times in al places that he might leaue vnto vs an example of the same It followeth and to pray to the Almightie To those three former reasons which I brought why wee must seeke and pray to God alone I added this as a fourth because there is none so able to help vs as the Lord. He that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be as mount Sion If God bee on our side who can be against vs It is God that iustifieth who condemneth The Lord destroieth the counsaile of the Heathen hee maketh their deuises to be of no effect Christ is the Angel of great counsaile wisedome and vnderstanding and there is no deuise against the Lord. The world notwithstanding is come to that frame that euery man hath gotten him a strange kind of beleef Some beleeue not the law but the prophets some be perswaded in the supremacie but not in the sacrament some in free will but not in merit some in inuocation vpon saints but not in purgatorie some in pilgrimages and pardons but not in Images some like the doctrine wel enough but not the preachers the most beleeue little yet many beleeue somwhat few beleeue all therefore to deale plainly because plaine dealing is best you must not beleeue by the halfes I meane you must not repose some trust in God and some in Saints but
mutabilitie but the word of God is the foode of the soule the bread of life that immortall seede which bringeth foorth fruite vnto eternall life Let the worde of God therefore be precious vnto vs because it is so permanent for heauen and earth must passe but the worde of God endureth for euer If we make choise of any thing beside it must be taken from vs or we shal be taken from it but if we make choise of this one thing it shall neuer bee taken from vs neither in this world nor in the world to come The Lord grant that wee be not only hearers but doers of the word that it may be truly sayd of vs as Christ said of his disciples that heard his preaching Behold my brother my sister and mother or as hee answered the woman that commended his carnall kindred Blessed are they that heare the word of God and keepe the same FINIS A Godly Prayer to bee said at all times BEcause I haue sinned ô Lord and doone wickedly in thy sight and prouoked thee to anger by my abhominable wickednes making my bodie which thou hast ordained a vessell for thine honor an instrument to most detestable filthines ô Lord be merciful vnto me and pardon mee this great wickednes looke not vpon mee good father with the eyes of iustice neither do thou drawe against me the sword of iudgement for then how shall I that am but dust stand in thy presence when thy wrathfull indignation commeth foorth as a whirlewind and thy heauie displeasure as a mightie tempest seeing the earth trembleth the depths are discouered and the verie heauens are shaken when thou art angrie Exercise not therefore thy furie against me that am but as chaffe before the winde and as stubble against a flaming fire though I haue sinned grieuouslie in thy sight preferring my wicked desire before thy holy commandement esteeming the pleasute of a moment before eternall and euerlasting ioyes nay which is worse making more account of vilenesse and vanitie and extreame folly and madnes then of the glory and maiesty of the most excellent wonderfull and blessed God nothing dreading his displeasure whose wrath maketh the diuels to quake and burneth vnquenchable vnto the bottomlesse pit of hell whose might is so great that by the breath of his nosthrils he is able in the twinkling of an eye to destroy a thousand worlds yet am I bold prostrating my selfe before the throne of thy maiestie heartily to beseech and humblie to entreate thee that thou wilt not deale with me according to my merites for I haue deserued that thou shouldst raine downe fire and brimstone from out of heauen vpon me to deuour me or to open the earth vnderneath me to swallow me vp quick vnto hell but thou art gratious and full of compassion and rich in mercies therefore do men put their trust vnder the shadow of thy wings I haue none in heauen to flie vnto but thee nor in earth of whom I may receiue any comfort but at thy fauourable hands which are stretched out day and night to receiue all that by earnest repentance turne vnto thee being readie to ease all those that are laden with the burthen of their sinne and to refresh their distressed consiences In the multitude of thy mercies I approche vnto thee ô Lord desiring thee to looke downe from the height of thy sanctuarie vppon me poore and wretched sinner and to wipe away mine offences and to blotte out my misdeedes especiallie this my vngratious vncleane and vngodlye act that it may not come vppe in remembrance with thee nor bee imputed to mee for euer for ' thy sonnes sake ô Lorde in whome thou art well pleased in whom thou wast fully satisfied vppon the crosse for my sinnes graunt mee free pardon and remission of that I haue so foolishlie by my exceeding frailtie committed against thee in this shamefull deed But ô thou my vncleane and vnthankfull soule my vngodly and rebellious heart what did I sinfull wretch and execrable caitife so blindlie and desperatlie attempt Howe art thou become quite sencelesse that thou wast so readie to anger thy most louing God and to prouoke thy most mightie iudge that thou mightest satisfie thy filthie fleshe suborned both by thine and Gods moste malitious aduersarie to grieue and vex the spirit of the Lord and to damne thy selfe for euer Hath not God of his singular fauour made the heauens of old and placed the sunne and moone in them two glorious lights with innumerable starres a wonderfull workmanship for thy vse and benefit Hath hee not lifted vp the clouds by his strong arme and heaped treasures of raigne haile and snow to doe thee seruice Hath hee not in the midst of the world laid the foundations of the earth that thou mightest haue a stable habitation and mightest from thence behold euery way thou lookest the walles of his beautifull pallace Hath hee not gathered the waters into one place and made the drie land appeare and drawne foorth by his powre a pure substance of aire betweene heauen and earth that fishes might multiplie in the seas foules in great aboundance flie in the open face of the firmament tender plants hearbs flowers and tree◠in all varietie growe and fructifie vpon the ground yea creeping things cattell and beasts increase in infinite number in pastures fields gardens orchards and groues and all these to doe thee pleasure Hath he not further giuen thee springs and riuers gold and siluer pearles and iewels euen plentie of streames stones and mettall to furnish thee with whatsoeuer for profite thou needest or for pleasure desirest Hath hee not made thee Lord and ruler ouer all his craatures euen ouer the huge Elephants the Whale the strong Lion and Vnicorne and horse of warre ouer the sauage Tigars Beares and Wolues ouer the mightie Eagle Griffin Vultur Ostrich and Haulke Art thou not clad and defended fed and enriched cheered and renowned by these his creatures and that all the partes of thy bodie and sences of thy minde might be partakers of his goodnes and with his sweetnes refreshed comforted delighted in great measure Yea aboue all this hath hee not breathed into thy bodie an immortall soule that thou mightest remaine with him in glorie for euer Did hee not at the first frame thee like vnto himselfe that he might therefore loue thee as his sonne Did hee not cast into thy spirit the beames of his wisedome that thou through thy vnderstanding mightest behold him and his glory and stirred vp sparkes of goodnes in thy heart that thou mightest by thy affection imbrace him and his bountie and bee made perfectly blessed by his infinite happinesse who when Adam thy vngratefull father by distrusting him that had faithfully promised was throughlie able to fulfill his will and resolutely determined exceedingly to aduance him hauing giuen him this whole worlde in testimonie thereof by discontenting his minde with the excellent estate he was placed in of
when he taketh the furbished blade into his hand when he is readie to throwe the fierie thunderbolts of his wrath when hee summoneth before him the worme that neuer dyeth the fire that neuer shall be quenched to reuenge on the wicked into what a plight are they then driuen then leaue they off be fauourable O Lord be fauourable and say to the hilles O ye mountaines come and couer vs O ye waters come ouerwhelme vs wo wo wo how great is this darknesse The godly on the other side are bathed in such streames of blisse and aduaunced to such happines as neither tongue can vtter nor heart conceiue The second thing wee haue to note in his promises is his mercie which exceedeth all his workes For God though he haue giuen a cursse of the lawe against sinners yet seeing Christ for the penitent hath borne the cursse wherby his iustice is not impaired he is content to accept our weakenes as our strength to recompence our imperfections with reward of greatest perfection that which we can performe but in small part he is content to accept as whole not for any desert of ours but in the satisfaction of his sonne who paid with the seale of his own blod the ransome for our sins he hath cancelled the hand writing that was against vs. Wherfore we are to pray vnto God that whensoeuer our sins shal come in question before him that he would looke vpō Christ Iesus the true loking glas in whō he shall find vs most pure innocent to shine most cleerly in the righteousnes which hee hath giuen vs by faith so that we appeare not in our owne righteousnes but in the righteousnes of the lambe who hauing taken away the sinnes of the world and hauing made vs as white as snow though wee were as red as Crimson saith he will be mercifull to our iniquities and wil remember our sinnes no more Of him doe all the Prophets beare witnesse that thorow his name all that beleeue shall receiue remission of theyr sinnes Againe drinke yee all of this for this is my bloud which is shed for the remission of sinnes Christ gaue himselfe for our sinnes that hee might deliuer vs from the cursse of the law euen according to the will of his father Christ bare our sinnes in his owne bodie on the tree that we being deliuered from sin might liue in righteousnes by whose stripes we are healed for we were as sheepe going astray but are now returned to the shepheard and Bishop of our soules It is no more but beleeue and be saued beleeue and receiue remission beleeue and lay of thine owne righteousnes and inuest thy selfe with the righteousnesse of the vnspotted Lambe Dauid was young and after was old yet in all his daies he neuer saw the righteous forsaken Sometimes he scourgeth his children but like a louing father hee layeth no more vpon them then they are able to beare for hee afflicteth them for his own iustice because they are sinners for his wisedome to exercise their faith for his mercie to cause them to repent but this is the end of all he helpeth them in their distresses he reuengeth himselfe vpon his enemies and giueth to his people rest and quietnes O that we would therefore praise the Lord and forget not all other his singular benefits O that we would confesse that his mercie endureth for euer The third thing to note in his promises is his bountifull kindnesse in requiring so small a thing with so great and liberall blessings and bindeth himselfe by obligation as it were that as sure as we perfome the one so hee will not faile to accomplish the other The fourth is his patience and long suffering which is not slacknesse as some men account slacknesse but is patience because willinglie hee would haue no man to perish but gladly would haue all men come to repentance He is content to stay our leysure till we seeke and pray vnto him and neuer smiteth till there be no hope of redresse The fist is his loue in that he is content to stirre vs vp to holy exercises and puritie of life and to allure vs with faire promises of aide prosperous encrease of all his blessings in this world The particular examination of these blessings would require a large discourse then fearing tediousnes I dare presume to trouble yee withall wherefore a worde of ech and so I end Touching the first where it is said God will awake vp vnto thee it is a greater benefit then the words import for it signifieth not onely that he will heare thee but that he will also doo what thou desirest and satisfie thy request As long as the sinner sleepeth the Lord is said to bee a sleepe but assoone as the sinner awaketh from sinne God will arise sayth Dauid and his enemies shall bee scattered and they that hate him shall flie before him as the smoake vanisheth before the wind and as the wax melteth against the fire euen so shall the wicked perish at the presence of God Wherfore as Paul exhorted the Ephesians so I exhort you Awake thou that sleepest stand vp from the dead Christ shal giue thee light awake vnto God and God will awake vnto thee Christ euen the sonne of God the bright morning star shall giue thee the light of life In the second he promiseth abundance of worldly blessings in recompence of prayer for it is said He will make the habitations of thy righteousnes prosperous that is the Lord will make peace within thy walles and prosperitie within thy pallaces hee will commaund his blessings to bee with thee in thy store house and in all thou settest thy hand vnto he will open vnto thee his good treasures euen the Heauens to giue raine on thy lande in due season Thou shalt laye vp golde as the dust and the gold of Ophir as the flint of the riuer thou shalt wash thy pathes with butter and thy rockes shall powre out riuers of Oyle thou shalt call saluation thy wall and praise shall be in thy gates Loe thus shall the man be blessed that feareth God Lastly for being pure and vpright hee will make thy latter end greatly encrease and that thou maist the lesse mistrust his promise hee will doe it though thy beginning be but small Heere brethren ye see what a sea of matter is offered mee wherevnto if I would commit my selfe I might discourse vnto yee what straunge euents by Gods prouidence haue happened in the world what great Kings and Potentates haue been plucked downe from their thrones and what contemptible persons in the eye of the world haue beene aduanced to their roomes How Mardocheus a straunger was exalted into Hamons place how Ioseph and Daniell the one a bond-man in Egipt the other a Captiue in Babilon were made Princes in those kingdomes But because I will not ouermuch transgresse the bondes of modestie or hold
ye longer then in this place I haue beene accustomed onely remember what the Prophet saith Hee raiseth the needy out of the dust and lifteth the poore out of the mire that he might set him with the Princes euen with the princes of the world Remember the example of Dauid whome the Lord chose and tooke from the Ewes great with young that hee might feede his people in Iaacob and his inheritance in Israell Remember the example of Iob how the Lord turned the captiuitie of Iob as the riuers in the south how he blessed the last dayes of Iob more then the first how he gaue him sheepe and Camels and Oxen and shee Asses in more aboundance then hee had before howe hee encreased him with sonnes and daughters euen to the fourth generation so that hee dyed being olde and full of dayes Remember euen our owne estate for whome the Lorde hath doone great things already as created vs and redeemed vs and sanctified vs and not long since delyuered vs from the gaplng iawes of those that sought to suck our bloud Vppon some hee hath bestowed humilitye whereby their mindes are adorned with vertue honor vppon others whereby their persons are inuested with maiestie vppon others comlinesse whereby the other two are graced vppon others Orchards which they planted not or at least to which they gaue no encrease vppon others encrease of vertuous children whereby their posteritie is preserued vppon others the free passage of his word which along time had beene obscured by ignoraunce the mother of deuotion as the shauelings call it but vnder a stepdame of destruction as wee perceiue it and though hee bestowe but some one or two of his blessings vppon vs yet howe much are wee bounde for these blessings to sing prayse and honour and glorye vnto him that sitteth vppon the throne and vnto the Lambe for euer But vppon whome hee hath bestowed all these blessings O howe strictlye by good cause are they bounde to magnifie the Lord and to reioyce in God theyr Sauiour Examine then your owne consciences I beseech yee whether GOD hath bestowed all these blessings vppon you or no and if he haue O what great cause haue yee to come before his face with prayse to sing lowd vnto him with Psalmes to worship and to fall downe before him to giue vnto the Lorde the glorie of his name to bring an offering of thankes giuing and to enter into his Courts with praise And yet who knoweth whether the Lord hath greater blessings for ye in store yee may be sure hee will pull downe the mightie from their seat and exalt the humble and meeke Surely the Lorde dooth vse vertue as a meane to bring vs to honour and whosoeuer you shall see endued with the vertues of this text I meane with seeking vnto God with prayer and puritie of life yee may bee sure there is a blessing reserued for him of the Lorde yea such a blessing as though his beginning be but small yet his latter end shall greatlie encrease God encrease the loue of these things in our hearts and make vs worthie of Christs blessings which hee hath plentifully in store for vs that after hee hath heaped temporall blessings vpon vs hee would giue vs the blessing of all blessing euen the lyfe of the world to come The time is spent c. let vs end with prayer c. FINIS MARIES CHOISE With prayers written by the same Author By Henrie Smith LONDON â—â—inted by T. Scarlet for Cuthbert Burby 1592. MARIES CHOISE LVKE 10.38 39 c. 38 Now it came to passe as they went that he entered into a certaine towne and a certaine woman named Martha receiued him into her house 39 And she had a sister called Marie which also sate at Iesus feete and heard his preaching 40 But Martha was combered about much seruing and came to him and said Master doest thou not care that my sister hath left me to serue alone bid her therefore that she helpe me 41 And Iesus answered and sayde vnto her Martha Martha thou carest and art troubled about many things 42 But one thing is needfull Marie hath chosen the good part which shall not be taken awaie from her AS Christ had shewed himselfe louing vnto Lazarus and his sisters in raysing him from the death of the body and then from the death of the soule so doe they heere shew their thankful minds to Christ againe the one by receiuing him into hir house and the other by entertaining him into hir heart As he was God hee was receiued of Mary as hee was man hee was receiued of Martha They both desired to entertaine our Sauiour as Iacob and Esau desired to please their aged father but Mary made choise of the better part and was preferred before hir sister as Iacob sped soonest of most daintie Venison and preuented his brother of the blessing And although the care of Martha in the entertaining of Christ be not to be misliked yet Maries diligence in hearing his doctrine is of purpose preferred to teach vs that it is much better with Marie to studie in the worde and first to seeke the kingdom of God then with Martha to labour in the worlde and to neglect that heauenly kingdom And yet notwithstanding such is the corruption of this rustie age that our greatest care is to prouide for this present life as the rich man Luk. 12. that enlarged his barnes wherein to put his store for many yeares but we neuer or very late remember to prouide for the life to come like that other rich man Luk. 16. that neuer thought of heauen till hee was tormented in the flames of hell In the 11. of Iohn Christ is said to loue his whole familie and heere he is said to come vnto them For whom he loueth he cannot choose but visit like the friends of Iob that came to comfort him in his great aduersitie yea and the greater loue hee beareth vnto any the oftner he will resort vnto them yea hee will come and dwell with them Iohn 14.23 Like Iacob that came downe into Egipt to his beloued sonne Ioseph and dwelt in Goshen But Christ is yet more kinde then Iacob was for hee came not till he was sent for with horses and Chariots but Christ came of his owne accord to this beloued familie Thus dooth he alwayes preuent vs with his blessings before hee was desired hee came into the world hee called his Apostles before they came to him and before he was requested he came vnto this noble house O happy house that enterteyned such a guest but thrise happie inhabitants to whome such a guest woulde vouchsafe to come When hee came vnto the swinish Gadarenes they desired him to depart out of their coasts preferring their Swine aboue their Sauiour but this godly family receiued him into their house preferring their God before their golde and the health of their soules before
their worldlye wealth They receiued him into their house who had not a house wherein to put his head Wherein their hospitalitie is commended and shall certainely be rewarded at that dreadfull day for with this and such like works of mercie the Lord shall answere the sentence of iudgement which is to be denounced against the wicked that neuer exercised those workes of mercie Let vs learne by their example to be harberous and giuen to hospitalitie which is so often commended vnto vs in the Scripture and shall bee so richly rewarded at the last day Those godly Fathers Abraham and Lot enterteyned Angels in the habite of strangers So wee may dayly entertaine Christ Iesus in the habite of a poore man of a blinde man of a lame man and whatsoeuer is doone vnto any of these that are his members he accompteth and accepteth as doone vnto himselfe Now as this vertue of hospitalitie is commendable in all sorts of men so is it more specially commended to the ministers who are expressely commanded by the Apostle among other things to bee giuen to hospitalitie Vnto the Leuites in the time of the lawe the Lorde appointed citties of refuge to signifie that the Ministers house should bee the poore mans harbor and his store their treasurie but the true ministers of our dayes haue no citties of refuge for others for they haue none for themselues they haue not wherewith to releeue the wants of others for they haue not to releeue theyr owne When Martha had thus enterteyned Christ as hee was man into hir house Marie began to enterteine him as he was God into her heart shee sat at his feete to heare his preaching for no sooner was Christ come into the house but that hee tooke occasion to teach and instruct the family and in steede of bodily food which they bestowed vppon him to giue vnto them the foode of the soule Thus dooth he alwayes shew himselfe a thankfull guest into what house so euer hee entreth he leaueth better things behind him then he findeth hee loues not to be in Zacheus debt for his dinner for insteed thereof he bringeth saluation to his house neither dooth hee leaue his supper vnpaide for heere for insteed thereof hee bestoweth vppon them a heauenly sermon This should be the exercise of faithfull ministers when they are inuited to great feasts that as they are called the salt of the earth which serueth to season the meates to make them sauery and preserue them from putrifaction so they should season the table talke with some godly conference to minister grace vnto the hearers Ephe. 4 29. These sisters were godly women and both earnest fauourers of Iesus Christ and yet in the manner of their deuotion there is such difference that the worldly affection of the one may in some sort be misliked in respect of the godly exercise and practise of the other Martha is sore encumbred with much seruing where a little seruice had beene sufficient But Marie is attentiue to heare the worde of God which neuer can be heard sufficiently Marie sitteth to heare the word as Christ vsed to sitte when he preached the word to shew that the word is to bee preached and heard with a quiet minde In a still night euery voyce is heard and when the body is quiet the minde most commonly is quiet also But Martha is troubled with other affayres and therefore vnfit to heare the word as the ground that is surcharged with stones or ouergrowne with weedes and thornes is vnfit to receiue the seed or yeeld any fruite to him that tilleth it As often therefore as wee come to heare the word of God wee must not come with distracted mindes wee must not trouble our selues with the cares of this lyfe which as our sauiour saith are thornes to choake the worde and to make it vnfruitfull For as Moses was vnfit to talke with God till he had put off his shooes and the blind man vnfitte to come to Christ till hee had throwne away his cloake so we must thinke our selues vnfit to heare the word and vnapt for euery heauenly exercise til we haue put off our shoes that is our worldly cogitations and affections and till we haue cast away our cloake that is all lets and impediments which might hinder vs from profiting in our profession When our mindes are quiet we are fitte to deale with heauenly matters therefore the Doctors conferred sitting in the Temple and God delighteth to deale with vs when wee are most priuate hee appeared to Abraham sitting in the doore of his Tent. The holy Ghost came downe vpon the Apostles and filled all the house where they were sitting The Eunuch sitting in his charret was called and conuerted by Philips preaching Marie sat at Iesus feete yet sat shee not sleeping as many sit at the Preachers feete but shee sate at Christ his feete and heard his worde As Paul was brought vp at the feete of Gamaleell and was perfectly instructed in the law of the Fathers Hir humilitie is commended in that she sat at Iesus feete to shew that the word is to bee heard with all humilitie hir diligence and earnestnes appeareth in that shee would not depart to helpe hir sister to signifie that the hearing of the word must be preferred before worldly businesse Hir diligence and humilitie serueth to condemne our negligence and contempt of Christ and his word we doo not sit at Christ his feete nay we rather set Christ at our feet when wee are so negligent in hearing of his worde Wee are as slowe to come to the Church as the Rauen was to come to the Arke and as loth to spend any time in the seruice of God as Pharao was loth to let the Israelites goe to serue the Lord. If a commoditie were to bee seene whereout some profit might arise how carefull would wee be to procure it what paines would wee take to get it Absalon was not more desirous of a kingdome then the rich men of our time are desirous of golden gaine But if it bee a matter of coste or trouble if they cannot heare the worde preached without some hinderance to their worldlye businesse and some extraordinarie charge to their pursse then like the Gadarenes they are content to take their leaue of Christ and his worde and had rather loose that heauenly Pearle then they would parte from their earthly pelfe Thus in Christ wee haue the patterne of a good Pastor and in Marie the patterne of a good hearer Let Ministers learne by his example to take all occasions to preach the word to be instant in season and out of season and let Christians learne by hir example first to seeke the kingdome of God and his righteousnesse and then to prouide for the things of this lyfe While Marie was carefull for the foode of the soule Martha was curious to
prouide foode for the bodie hir greatest care was to enterteyne Christ and to make him good cheere to testifie hir thankfull minde vnto him that had doone so great things for them hee had raysed hir brother Lazarus from death to life therefore hee was worthye to bee well enterteyned If Elias deserued to bee well dealt withall at the hande of his hostesse whose sonne he had restored to life or Elysa deserued such enterteynement for hir sonnes reuiuing then surelie our Sauiour Christ was worthie to be welcome hither where hee had raysed Lazarus out of his graue wherein hee had lyne by the space of foure dayes before It was well doone therefore of Martha to shewe hir thankefull minde vnto Christ but it was not well doone at that time to shewe her selfe thankefull in that manner it was then time to heare the worde for at that time Christ preached the worde it was no time for hir to spende that time in other affayres and to neglect the greatest affaire the meanes of hir owne saluation It was not vnlawfull for Martha to labour no more then it was vnlawfull for Peter to sleepe but when Christ was preaching it was no time for hir to bee so busie in seruing no more then it was time for Peter to sleepe when Christ willed him so earnestly to watch and praye When Christ preached out of Symons ship to the people that stoode vppon the shore it was no time for Peter to play the Fisherman But when Christ had left speaking and commanded him to launch into the deepe then it was time for Peter to let downe the net There is a time wherein we ought to labour in our vocation and a time wherein we ought to heare the word and as we may not vtterly neglect our lawfull callings to followe sermons so must wee not bestow the Sabaoth which is consecrated to the seruice of God in following the workes of our vocation All things haue their appointed time saith the wise man Eccle. 3. and euery thing is seemely in his conuenient season but when things are doone preposterously and out of order there followeth confusion Although Martha did not heare Christ yet did she labour for Christ many in our dayes will neyther labour for Christ nor heare of Christ but as the Israelites were wearye of their iourney in the wildernesse and lothed that heauenly Manna so these men are wearie of euery godly exercise and are soone cloyed with the word of God The fiue foolish Virgins wasted their Oyle to no purpose and while they went to buie were excluded the marriage and these foolish men spende this time of grace vainely and wantonly as though after this life there were no time of iustice and vengeance to be feared The daye serueth for their pride or profit the night is spent in sporte and pleasure and no time is left to heare the worde When wee are praying they are playing when we are preaching they are eating and drinking like the old world that eate and dranke that marryed wiues and gaue in mariage while Noah was preparing the Arke for the sauing of his houshold And as Baals Priests wounded themselues to serue their Idoll so these men take dangerous courses and strangely trouble themselues to serue the diuell Nowe Martha findeth hir selfe agreeued and begins to enuie hir sisters exercise as Iosephs brethren enuyed him for his dreames and the sonnes of Ishai that disdained theyr brother Dauid for his forwardnesse in the combat with Goliath These two sisters that in other things agreed so well togither in this doo differ so much that Christ must haue the hearing of the matter and decide the controuersie Martha plaieth the Plaintife and accuseth hir sister Marye the defendant answereth by hir Aduocate and Christ himselfe that tooke vppon him the office of an Aduocate is become the Iudge and giueth sentence on Maryes side Martha complaineth of hir sisters slothfulnesse and seemeth after a sorte to blame our Sauiour for winking at it requiring him to see the matter redressed speedily But Christ first reprooueth Marthaes curiositie and then excuseth yea and commendeth Maries care In Martha it appeareth howe willing wee are to please our selues in our owne conceits and how ready to conceiue amisse of others dooings yea sometime to prefer our owne defects before the perfections of other men If Dauid chasten his soule with fasting it shall bee turned to his reproofe if hee put on Sackcloth to testifie his contrition they iest at him and the drunkards make songs of him if Iohn Baptist be temperate in his apparrell and dyet they will say hee hath a diuell If Paul answere discreetely for himselfe he shall bee charged to bee mad with ouermuch learning yea if our Sauiour Christ himselfe frequent the companie of sinners to reclaime them from sinne they will not sticke to call him a friend and companion of Publicans and sinners Among vs if there be any that be more forward in religion then the rest and more diligent to heare the worde as Marie was there shall not want some or other to censure them at their pleasure yea to finde faulte and to condemne them for so doing yet are not the godly to bee discouraged herewith or to desist from theyr godly exercises for as the Lorde answered for Mary when shee held hir peace so the Lorde will defend their cause and take their part against their aduersaries The Lorde cannot abide to heare his seruants ill spoken off but is alwayes ready to mainteine their right and to answere for them He will not suffer Laban to speake an ill worde to his seruant Iacob And if Aaron and Myriam murmure against Moises the Lorde will punish it with leprosie what a comfortable thing is this to the godly that the king of kings will take their parts and will not suffer them to susteyne any wrong Hee is a most sure and trustie friend that will not abide his friend to bee backbited or ill spoken of but eyther hee will answere in their defence or hee will finde some meanes to stop the mouthes and restraine the slanderous toungs of their enemies as somtime he stopt Balaams passage when hee went to curse his people and caused the dumbe beast to speake and to reprooue the madnesse of the Prophet rather then he woulde haue his people to bee curssed The repitition of Marthaes name argueth the vehemencie and earnestnesse of this admonition The Lord is faine to be very earnest and importunate with vs before hee can reclaime vs. So when God spake vnto Abraham hee calleth him twise by name Christ called Peter thrise by name Iohn 21. to cause him make his three-fould confession to make amends for his threefold deniall And when the Lorde spake vnto Samuel hee called him foure seuerall times by name before hee answered for such is the great mercie of GOD that he is content