This doctrine is easy to be heard, but hard to be practised. Well; then this is true wisdom1 to choose the Sabbath wholly to be spent in the word and prayer from morning to night: and so to divide the seasons in the other days of the week, as with David and Daniel▪ we may pray at morning, noontide, and evening, and that therewith we have a special care to bestow the rest of our time in walking in our calling. For as there is a time of hearing, so there is a time of putting that in use which we have heard: as there is a Sabbath for Gods own worship; so there is six days for us to labour in: and as there is a time of praying; so there is also a time of practising. Neither would the Lord have us always reading, hearing, or praying; but after we have read, heard, and prayed, to show forth the fri•• of them in our conversation to his glory. And as heretics in the primitive Church, and since that ⟨p. 563⟩time Monks and Friars have laboured to teach a continual praying; so even at this day Satan bewitched the hearts of many with that persuasion; wherefore we must know, that the Lord will have obedience, rather than sacrifice, and mercy more than burnt offerings. For why do we hear, but to learn obedience? and why do we pray, but to put2 our prayer in practise? or why have we knowledge, but to use it to Gods glory? Neither doth that saying of our Saviour Christ to Martha vithstand this doctrine, although many heretics have both objected and perverted this place, to make it serve their purpose; who falsely allege the place, saying, Mary hath chosen the better part; whereas the true words are, Mary hath chosen the good part: in which place Martha was not reproved in that she was a good housewife, or for that she entertained Christ; but for overmuch labouring in her housewifery and entertainment, at such time as she should have been better occupied. Neither was Mary commended for that she did nothing but hear and pray; but for her wisdom, in hearing Christ carefully at that time when he preached; and in that she knew, that Christ did less care, and would be better satisfied, though her provision was more slender, than that to more solemn preparation, they should neglect the doctrine, which was the foo•e of their souls.
This doctrine is easie to be heard, but hard to be practised. Well; then this is true wisdom1 to choose the Sabbath wholy to be spent in the word and prayer from morning to night: and so to deuide the seasons in the other dayes of the weeke, as with Dauid and Daniel▪ we may pray at morning, noontide, and euening, and that therewith we haue a speciall care to bestow the rest of our time in walking in our calling. For as there is a time of hearing, so there is a time of putting that in vse which we haue heard: as there is a Sabbath for Gods owne worship; so there is sixe dayes for vs to labour in: and as there is a time of praying; so there is also a time of practising. Neither would the Lord haue vs alwayes reading, hearing, or praying; but after we haue read, heard, and prayed, to shew forth the fri•• of them in our conuersation to his glorie. And as heretikes in the primitiue Church, and since that ⟨p. 563⟩time Monkes and Friers haue laboured to teach a continuall praying; so euen at this day Sathan bewitched the hearts of many with that perswasion; wherefore wee must knowe, that the Lord will haue obedience, rather than sacrifice, and mercie more than burnt offerings. For why doe we heare, but to learne obedience? and why doe wee pray, but to put2 our prayer in practise? or why haue we knowledge, but to vse it to Gods glorie? Neither doth that saying of our Sauiour Christ to Martha vithstand this doctrine, although many heretikes haue both obiected and peruerted this place, to make it serue their purpose; who falsely alleage the place, saying, Mary hath chosen the better part; whereas the true wordes are, Mary hath chosen the good part: in which place Martha was not reproued in that shee was a good huswife, or for that she entertained Christ; but for ouermuch labouring in her huswiferie and entertainement, at such time as she should haue been better occupied. Neither was Mary commended for that she did nothing but heare and pray; but for her wisedome, in hearing Christ carefully at that time when he preached; and in that she knew, that Christ did lesse care, and would be better satisfied, though her p•ou•sion was more slender, than that to more solemne preparation, they should neglect the doctrine, which was the foo•e of their soules.
- 1Sabbath.
- 2Luk. 10. 41. 42
