The works of the reverend and faithful servant of Jesus Christ M. Richard Greenham,…The workes of the reuerend and faithfull seruant af Iesus Christ M. Richard Greenham,…

If then the matter stand so upon our obedience to the Lord, that we shall reap so great a benefit, because he requires but even by the law of nature, to do to him, as we would have him deal with us; it is good equity, that if we will not hear the Lord when he speaks, speak we never so loud or long, we should not be heard of him. The last reason is this, when Mary was occupied in hearing our Saviour Christ, and Martha was busied in ministering things about her house, Christ saith flatly, Mary hath chosen the good part, and why? It shall not be taken away from her. Martha's part in death shall be taken away, and come to nought, and so may we safely say of all our things concerning our trades in this life, they must cease, and when death comes, they shall have an end; but Mary's part shall not be so, that is, whatsoever faith, love, or obedience we have attained by the word preached, it shall abide by us with peace of conscience in this life, and afterward it will accompany us even to the kingdom of heaven. But Martha was Martha for Christ, we are Martha's for Martha, we are all for the world, but this shall be taken from us Every man may therefore safely reckon thus with himself: Surely, all my pain, my profits, my trade, and all will end in death: this is not the good part, therefore I will hear the word, and this shall never be taken from me. So that as in the former we are made partakers of the omnipotency of God, if we hear his word: so here we see we shall communicate in the eternity of God, if we choose ⟨p. 709⟩Mary's part: but if we prefer the other, we must go; but our part must tarry after us, and be taken from us. Good cause then have we to hear the word: but who is he that thinks himself happy to have the word, or thinks not himself more happy to get a good bargain? who being in a journey or sick in his body, thinketh it a special cross, and finds in himself a grief that he could not come to the congregation of the Lord?

If then the matter stand so vpon our obedience to the Lord, that we shall reape so great a benefit, because he requires but euen by the law of nature, to doe to him, as we would haue him deale with vs; it is good equitie, that if we will not heare the Lord when he speakes, speake wee neuer so loud or long, we should not be heard of him. The last reason is this, when Mary was occupied in hearing our Sauiour Christ, and Martha was busied in ministring things about her house, Christ saith flatly, Mary hath chosen the good part, and why? It shal not be taken away from her. Marthas part in death shall be taken away, and come to nought, and so may we safely say of all our things concerning our trades in this life, they must cease, and when death comes, they shall haue an end; but Maries part shall not bee so, that is, whatsoeuer faith, loue, or obedience wee haue attained by the word preached, it shall abide by vs with peace of conscience in this life, and afterward it will accompanie vs euen to the kingdome of heauen. But Martha was Martha for Christ, we are Marthas for Martha, wee are all for the world, but this shall be taken from vs Euery man may therfore safely reckon thus with himselfe: Surely, all my paine, my profits, my trade, and all will end in death: this is not the good part, therefore I will heare the word, and this shal neuer be taken from me. So that as in the former we are made partakers of the omnipotencie of God, if wee heare his word: so here we see we shall communicate in the eternitie of God, if we choose